Improbable Patriot
The Secret History of Monsieur de Beaumarchais, the French Playwright Who Saved the American Revolution

I entered this book fairly blind to the history of the subject. What I know about the French government's involvement in the American Revolutionary War has all come from general histories of the Revolutionary period, and never a devoted book on the subject. Harlow Giles Unger has written not only an......more

Oh, there aren't enough stars for this book! One of the best biographies I have ever read about one of the most amazing people that ever lived, and particularly one no one ever hears about. That, despite the fact that without him it is entirely possible the United States of America would never have......more

He is the man who wrote The Marriage of Figaro (yup, that one -- Figaro, Figaro, Figaro!!), and the mastermind behind France's covert effort to supply the colonies with arms and ammunition during the Revolution. A son of a watchmaker, a political exile, a social pariah who slept with royal women and......more

Fascinating view of the American Revolution. This book is very readable. The author filled in many gaps in my knowledge of the critical role the French government played in the success of the American Revolution. More specifically, it reminded me that one person can make a huge difference in the cour......more

Can't remember exactly how I even found out about this book--probably thru another Goodreads search or something. Anyway I read some of the reviews which enticed me to borrow the book and read it. What a story! What a life! Thank you Mr. Unger for your exemplary historical-made-very-interesting writ......more