Skip to product information
1 of 3

The History List

"The Road to Concord: How Four Stolen Cannon Ignited the Revolutionary War" - Signed by the Author, J. L. Bell

Regular price $ 31.95
Regular price Sale price $ 31.95
Sale Sold out
For example, ‘To a student of history’ or ‘With best wishes on your graduation’. (Important: Do not enter your gift message. If this is a gift, you will enter your gift message when you check out.)

An important note on shipping: This book is shipped directly by the author using Media Mail. If you ordered other items from the store, this book will be shipped separately. Allow at least two weeks for delivery.


Hardcover (234 pages), brand new and signed by the author, J. L. Bell. Published by the Journal of the American Revolution.

The Road to Concord: How Four Stolen Cannon Ignited the Revolutionary War by historian J. L. Bell reveals a new dimension to the start of America’s War for Independence by tracing the spark of its first battle back to little-known events beginning in September 1774. The author relates how radical Patriots secured those four cannon and smuggled them out of Boston, and how Gage sent out spies and search parties to track them down. Drawing on archives in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada, the book creates a lively, original, and deeply documented picture of a society perched on the brink of war.

What really happened at North Bridge on April 19, 1775

A walk through Minute Man National Park and across North Bridge with J. L. Bell

 

About the book

In the early spring of 1775, on a farm in Concord, Massachusetts, British army spies located four brass cannon belonging to Boston’s colonial militia that had gone missing months before. British general Thomas Gage had been searching for them, both to stymie New England’s growing rebellion and to erase the embarrassment of having let cannon disappear from armories under redcoat guard. Anxious to regain those weapons, he drew up plans for his troops to march nineteen miles into unfriendly territory. The Massachusetts Patriots, meanwhile, prepared to thwart the general’s mission. There was one goal Gage and his enemies shared: for different reasons, they all wanted to keep the stolen cannon as secret as possible. Both sides succeeded well enough that the full story has never appeared until now.

About the author: J. L. Bell is the proprietor of the wildly popular Boston 1775, a site/blog dedicated to the history of the American Revolution in New England. A Fellow of the Massachusetts Historical Society and American Antiquarian Society, he is author of the National Park Service’s study of George Washington’s work in Cambridge (download the 669-page PDF here) and has delivered papers to the Massachusetts Historical Society, the Organization of American Historians, and historic sites around greater Boston. He also helped launch History Camp, where he has spoken every year.

A note regarding shipping: Your book will probably be shipped via Media Mail. USPS regulations for Media Mail restrict any correspondence, so while I'd normally include a note of thanks, doing so, in this case, would violate USPS regulations.

Shipping

For shipments to addresses within the U.S. (scroll down for International shipping) 

Flat-rate shipping: Regardless of the number of items you order, the shipping price for shirts, caps, unframed prints and posters, bracelets, lapel pins, pendants, and button packs is $5.95.

For hooded and crewneck sweatshirts, mugs, and blankets, the shipping cost is $8.95. 

Our flat rate shipping means you can add two or more t-shirts, sweatshirts, or caps for no additional shipping charge.

Note that some large or heavy items, including larger framed prints, may have a different shipping charge or a shipping surcharge. When they do, it will be noted on the product page.

 

Timing

We try to ship orders within three business days of receiving them. This applies to in-stock items. Framed items or items requiring personalization may take up to two weeks longer. If there is an extended delay, it will be noted on the product page.

We close for a week over Independence Day and Christmas. A notice will appear at the top of every page of the site in advance of this closure.

We ship most orders via USPS, so if the post office is closed, we won't be shipping orders that day.

If you need to receive your order by a certain date, such as to give as a gift or have for a trip, we recommend ordering at least two weeks in advance, especially if you are using USPS shipping. 

If you're looking for reliable, on-time deliveries, we strongly suggest upgrading to "UPS 3 Business Day Select Shipping."

Additional notes:

  • When fulfillment takes longer, such as around the Christmas holidays, we'll put up an announcement in the site and will list recommended shipping deadlines below.
  • If an item is out of stock, we will contact you.
  • If one of your items is an advance order, that will be noted on the product page along with an estimate of when it will ship. If that estimated date changes, the product page will be updated.

    Charges for shipping to destinations in the United States and to APO, DPO, and FPO addresses

    • Free shipping
      • On stickers, magnets, decals, patches, static clings, and individual button pins.

    • US Postal Service shipping - The least expensive, though also less reliable than UPS. (See more on UPS in the next section.) 

      • $5.95 for shirts, caps, unframed prints and posters, bracelets, lapel pins, pendants, button packs.

        Regardless of the number of items you order, the shipping price is still fixed at $5.95. Our flat rate shipping means you can add another t-shirt, cap, or book for no additional shipping charge.

      • $8.95 for hooded and crewneck sweatshirts, mugs, and blankets.

    We strongly recommend using UPS, especially in November and December.

      UPS 3 Business Day Select 

      Note: UPS 3 Business Day select is not available for addresses in Hawaii and Alaska. If UPS is selected for Hawaii or Alaska, the order will be shipped UPS Ground.

      Cut off time: Orders received by 3 pm Eastern will ship the same business day.  Applies to in-stock items that do not require personalization or signing.
        UPS's normal (non-holiday) delivery guarantee is by the end of the third business day, and this includes delivery on Saturday.  This applies to the 48 contiguous states. 
          • $14.95 for shirts, caps, unframed prints and posters, bracelets, lapel pins, pendants, button packs.

          • $18.95 for hooded and crewneck sweatshirts, mugs, and blankets.

          • If the actual shipping cost is significantly higher than what we’re charging, we will contact you to discuss alternatives.

        • UPS Overnight (Next Business Day Delivery)
        Before placing your order, call 469-233-7712.

        For shipments to addresses outside the United States

        Destinations

        We only ship to locations that are served by US Postal Service International Service.

        Charges

        • Canada and Mexico

          • $18.00 for shirts, caps, unframed prints and posters, bracelets, lapel pins, pendants, button packs.
          • $24.00 for hooded and crewneck sweatshirts, mugs, and blankets.

        • Rest of the World

          • Rates starts at $65.00.

        Additional charges for all destinations

        Some large, heavy items may have an additional shipping charge.  If that's the case, it will be noted on the product page.

        If the actual shipping cost is significantly higher than what we’re charging, we will contact you to discuss alternatives.

          All original designs are copyrighted by The History List

          All designs are copyrighted by The History List and the History Nerd text and design on t-shirts is a registered trademark. If you see a knock off, please let me know.

          Mission

          Your purchases support our mission to engage people with local history and to support historic sites and history organizations across the country.

            ["1775","Autographed","gift","History buff","History lover","History student","History teacher","J.L. Bell","John Bell","NBIS","Revolutionary War"]
          

          Customer Reviews

          Based on 6 reviews
          100%
          (6)
          0%
          (0)
          0%
          (0)
          0%
          (0)
          0%
          (0)
          D
          Devon B.
          Love Being Able to Get Personalized Signed Copy

          Bought a signed copy of this book for my dad as a birthday gift, and I loved being able to have the author personalize it for him. Came in a good time frame and in perfect condition.

          E
          Eowyn D.
          Thumbs Up

          I got this has a gift for my father. He loves history, expecially the Revolutionary War. He should love it.

          J
          Jason O.
          Great Book, Excellent Gift!

          The Road To Concord was a great gift for my dad for Father’s Day, and he absolutely loves it! I can’t wait to start my copy!

          B
          Beth
          well worth the unwrapping

          I bought this for my husband, for Christmas. Wrapped it slowly and carefully, and instantly regretted it. So, after no creature was stirring, only snoring. I sneakily unwrapped it and read well into the somewhat silent night. I am no history nerd (I apologize for that shortcoming endlessly) but I enjoyed this read. Captivating, quickly snatching my attention and once my cat got settled into sleep on my legs I quickly read and quietly turned pages. My husband (who is a proud lifelong history nerd) will be delighted with the book. And I will be practicing my oh-that-is-so-interstering face awaiting the explanations to come. Merry Christmas!

          K
          Kim
          Customer Service

          These folks have been great! They answered my questions in a very timely manner, my orders were shipped when they said they would be, and in a manner that made through all the trials the USPS could throw! Thank you much! I look forward to doing business with you again!

          G
          G M.
          Glad I got it in time!

          Wife is really enjoying this