A little dry but seemed to be a decent recitation of the history of the times and life of John Hancock. A wealthy man who inherited a fortune from a rich uncle he continued the merchant business and dabbled in politics until the politics overshadowed the business (in part because of the war). I couldn't help but feel a little sorry for the British representatives to Boston and Mass as they struggled to please London and avoid revolution. Better leadership could have avoided the revolution but it was not to be. Boston was where revolution fomented and spread round the nation so this book does get you in at the ground floor on the story.

In retrospect many times it seems like the past with the founding fathers is a bit rosy. Brilliant intellects coming together to help birth an outstanding new government. But, when you start studying the founders you find many of them are just people. Some unquestionably brilliant. Hancock was a politician with a keen understanding of human nature that resulted in his repeated election to almost every position he ever tried to achieve. While wealthy he was also generous and a good cause often received good gifts from his coffers. It appears he genuinely cared about Boston and the country. For these reasons he was well liked and respected by most. Who can hope for more than that?

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