Samuel Adams: The Most Wanted Man in America

The moral backbone of the American revolution.

By
9

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Stacy Schiff joins Sarah to talk her biography, The Revolutionary Samuel Adams, a book that details the how Adams amplified the Boston Massacre, organized the Boston Tea Party, and eventually became the most wanted man in America.

To easily get the latest episodes of The Dispatch Book Club podcast, subscribe to The Skiff—the members-only podcast superfeed.
To follow The Skiff on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or wherever you catch your podcasts, please follow these instructions:

This content is available exclusively to Dispatch members
Try a membership for full access to every newsletter and all of The Dispatch. Support quality, fact-based journalism.
Start Your Free Trial
Already a paid member? Sign In
By
Comments (9)
Join The Dispatch to participate in the comments.
 
  1. Avatar photo
    Wilhelm

    Thank you for bringing Stacy Schiff to the Book Club. She's a wonderful historian and a talented writer -- the perfect combination for popular history. Two of my favorite people discussing one of my favorite topics on one great podcast!
    Huzzah! Huzzah! Huzzah!

    Collapse
  2. Rbperkinson

    Same old story of all the Northern heroes of the revolution. Everyone knows Paul Revere, but how many know Jack Jouett.

    Collapse
    1. Avatar photo
      Wilhelm

      Poetry Power!

      Collapse
  3. Avatar photo
    Dusty

    Excellent interview and interesting topic. I used to tear through books of the Founders and the Revolutionary War, and Sam Adams always did seem like more of a minor character than one of the leads. It may be time to get back in the habit. This definitely sounds worth checking out.

    Collapse
  4. Avatar photo
    Nancybrink

    What a great book, and a fun podcast! I only wish the discussion had leaned even more into the uncomfortable questions of why we feel OK celebrating Adams but not, say, Tucker Carlson. Especially when some of my Trumpy friends explicitly see themselves as the heirs of this kind of movement. What kind of historical re-thinking is appropriate?

    Thanks again for the great discussion!

    Collapse
  5. Tcrowson

    I just happened to be reading this biography! Perfect timing!

    Collapse
  6. Mdpete

    Go to the Beantown Pub in Boston (it's on the Freedom Trail near the Boston Commons). Across the street is the cemetery where Sam Adams was laid to rest. Get a pint of Sam Adams at the pub and toast the patriot Sam Adams. Only place in the world where you can do it!

    Collapse
  7. Avatar photo
    J. Eric

    That was really great! Too many books, too little time left. Thanks

    Collapse
  8. Avatar photo
    Mjalderman76

    Great episode Sarah! You’re right that Sam Adams’s role in the run up to the Revolutionary War needs to be better known. When your children get a little older you should take a family trip to the Boston area. If you do, be sure to go out to Lexington, where in addition to the village green where the first shots of the Revolution were fired you can see the house where Sam Adams and John Hancock were staying when Paul Rever warned them that “the regulars are coming out!”

    Collapse