An excellent history of the run-up and battles of the American Revolution with more than the usual diversions describing how other nations reacted . . . Scholars have not ignored European participation, but Ferling writes better than most of them and pays more attention than academics to the campaigns and commanders. From battles to international relations, an outstanding introduction to the American Revolution.

Kirkus Reviews

John Ferling has long been a master historian of the Revolutionary era in America. Here he broadens the view to encompass the larger war of which the American Revolution was a part . . . a sweeping tale engagingly told.

H.W. Brands, two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist and New York Times bestselling author of THE GENERAL VS. THE PRESIDENT

An eloquent and sweeping introduction to the world war that was the American Revolution. I cannot imagine a better opening shot to the 250th anniversaries of its key events.

Kathleen DuVal, Cundill Prize-winning author of NATIVE NATIONS

Ferling illuminates the multifaceted conflict from all angles, showing how America won and could have just as easily lost. An essential and welcome addition to the literature on the war.

Eric Jay Dolin, author of REBELS AT SEA

With lively prose and keen insights, John Ferling rescues the true War of the American Revolution from the distortions of myth.

Alan Taylor, author of AMERICAN REVOLUTIONS

Capturing the breadth and complexity of an eight-year, global crisis, John Ferling's Shots Heard Round the World is an excellent and timely contribution to the publications on the Revolution.

Lindsay Chervinsky, author of MAKING THE PRESIDENCY