The American Revolution is America’s first Civil War. “Loyalists’—those in the American colonies loyal to the British Crown and the colonial governments---see the self-styled “Patriots” as traitorous Rebels. “The Monmouth Manifesto” takes you into this seldom-seen Loyalist world in a novel based on true historical characters and events.Two New Jersey farmers---Richard Lippincott, a modest Quaker, and James Moody, an alpha Anglican, unlikely friends in a Loyalist regiment in the British Army--- engage in action against the Patriots, from pitched battles and guerilla warfare to highjackings and kidnappings. And there are Reprisals, like extrajudicial hangings of both Loyalists and, fatefully, Patriots.Their daring deeds draw the wrath of General George Washington, whose famous stoic calm is shattered by his explosive anger, which leads to an international incident—the Asgill Affair—that embarrasses his ally, the King of France himself.Their loved ones suffer too, as Lippincott and Moody come to pay the price for their courage on the wrong side of history---loss of farms, broken homes, brutal prison confinements, a murder trial and ultimate refugeedom.
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An engrossing story of the people who fought the Revolutionary War uniquely told from the losing side.
The Monmouth Manifesto by James Arnett is an engaging historical novel that brings a fresh perspective to the American Revolution by focusing on the often-overlooked Loyalists. Through the lives of Richard Lippincott and James Moody, the novel explores the brutal complexities of loyalty, friendship, and rebellion as they navigate guerrilla warfare, personal sacrifices, and the consequences of their choices. The narrative delves deep into the moral ambiguities of revolution, challenging conventional perspectives on patriotism and duty while painting a vivid picture of how ordinary people faced extraordinary choices during America's founding conflict. Arnett's attention to historical detail creates an immersive read that brings the chaos and uncertainty of Revolutionary America to life.
Author James Arnett offers readers a detailed and well-penned narrative that explores the complexity of the American Revolution and reveals new angles from which to look at the Loyalist point of view. The meticulous historical research seamlessly blends with human storytelling to make readers think twice about their automatic perceptions of loyalty and justice. The character-driven narrative brings both heroes and antiheroes to life with moral nuances that avoid simplistic judgments about right and wrong during wartime. The personal cost of war is also explored with this same sensitivity and balance through intimate details of daily life, realistic dialogue exchanges, and impossible choices that all convey emotional truth. What also stands out is Arnett's ability to make historical figures feel thoroughly human, complete with flaws, doubts, and moments of both courage and weakness. This dramatic tension in a friendship is tested by conflicting loyalties and adds deep personal stakes to the broader historical canvas as Richard and James are forever changed by their experiences. Overall, I would certainly recommend The Monmouth Manifesto to readers seeking historical fiction that challenges assumptions while delivering a powerful story.
I have often wondered why the American War of Independence is rarely referred to as America’s First Civil War, because to a large extent that is what it was. Patriot against Loyalist. It was ugly. It was violent. It was dangerous to support King and Country. But such people existed and this book is about them. As someone who has looked at this period of history for a long time, I am delighted that a book, taking the Loyalist viewpoint, has been written in the form of James Arnett’s The Monmouth Manifesto. I declare a vested interest in that at the core is “The Asgill Affair”, and I am Asgill’s 3xgreat granddaughter.
Chronicles of the war which gave America her independence often leave out the effect on families – the wives, the children, the aunts, uncles and cousins. And families were split and destroyed by it. Benjamin Franklin disinherited his son for taking up the Loyalist cause. This was repeated throughout the Colonies. They say history is recorded by the victors. That is so true. But far too much has been written from the victor’s standpoint. So, for anyone who would like to learn about the other side of the coin then I can highly recommend this book. I learnt so much from it, having been ensconced in this period of history for far too long. So, please read and enjoy this novel (which is free to play with history to some extent, in the same way films do, for dramatic effect!) but you will certainly learn how it was from the vanquished standpoint. I am glad that I am now better informed.
The story unusually revolves around the experiences of real-life British Loyalists during the Revolutionary War period, particularly Richard Lippincott, a yeoman farmer from Monmouth County in the New Jersey colony, and James Moody, another farmer from New Jersey’s Sussex County. As the colonies move toward rebellion against British rule, Richard andJames find themselves caught in a bind. Despite their Quaker beliefs in nonviolence, the increasingly aggressive actions of the Rebels, who demand loyalty to their own cause, drive the men to take a side.
Overall, Arnett succeeds in capturing the complexity of the Revolution, while also showcasing the often-overlooked perspective of those who didn’t rebel and the many difficulties they encountered when their side met defeat. At times, readers may find the pacing of the story to be a bit on the slow side. However, the author handles characterization of the large cast, which includes many historical figures, with deftness and efficiency. This goes for secondary characters, as well, such as Henry Stevenson, a real-life surgeon with a Loyalist legion, who’s effectively described as “a slim man with gray hair, clipped shorter than was usual, probably in his sixties but fit-looking and radiating the self-confidence of someone accustomed to playing God with others’ lives.”
Richard and his family struggle to fit in with their Quaker community as his faith weakens. The American Revolution is underway, and most of the British loyalists have taken up arms against the Continental Army. But some, like Richard, find that war clashes with their faith; they do their best to keep their heads down and focus on farming.
Both rooted in history and taking liberties with its details, the sprawling novel The Monmouth Manifesto is about crises of faith in the time of the Revolutionary War.