Overview

"At a time when Democracy is under attack, the riveting new novel, Sparks of the Revolution, is a vibrant reminder of where our Democracy was born and the people and principles that brought it to life. A small group of patriots, first sparked by a lawsuit James Otis brought and then argued, led Boston and, ultimately, the 13 colonies to move from resistance to revolution. Otis argued against allowing arrogant customs officials to enter, without warning, into Boston's homes and businesses, supposedly in search of smuggled goods. He popularized the phrase ""a man's house is his castle.""Sparks of the Revolution brings to life the people and events that ultimately led to a painful and bloody separation from Great Britain. England's thirst for revenue led to attempts to tax Americans without allowing any voice or representation of those being taxed. The brave citizens of Boston said ""NO"" to the most powerful country on earth. ""Sparks of the Revolution made me feel like I was right there in pre-Revolutionary Boston, both emotionally and intellectually... This book gives us a chance to reflect on the foundation of our Democracy. What an opportunity to see our common roots and move us toward a more unified America! This is a must-read book for patriots of today, whether liberal or conservative."" --Tom Ridge, former Governor of Pennsylvania and Secretary of Homeland Security ""Sparks of the Revolution does a terrific job bringing to life the key leaders in Boston who led America into the Revolutionary War. The historic scenes and larger-than-life figures that Todd Otis describes are vivid and engaging. Most importantly, the book reminds us that ideals, such as truth, justice and freedom that were the bedrock of our fight for independence, are still relevant today as we work to preserve and protect our democracy."" -- Amy Klobuchar, US Senator, Minnesota From Modern History Press"

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9781615997879

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Reviews

"""Sparks of the Revolution made me feel like I was right there in pre-Revolutionary Boston, both emotionally and intellectually. This book brings that town to life in the period from 1760 to 1775. The author animates leaders like Samuel Adams, John Hancock, James Otis, Mercy Otis Warren, and Crispus Attucks. They and their allies brought forth a new epoch in history. Todd Otis describes the key events like the Boston Tea Party, and the personalities that shaped them, in an engrossing way. The book is readable, informative, and insightful. As our nation approaches the sestercentennial in 2026, Sparks of the Revolution gives us a chance to reflect on the foundation of our Democracy. What an opportunity to see our common roots and move us toward a more unified America! This is a must-read book for patriots of today, whether liberal or conservative."" - Tom Ridge, former Governor of Pennsylvania and Secretary of Homeland Security ""Sparks of the Revolution does a terrific job bringing to life the key leaders in Boston who led America into the Revolutionary War. The historic scenes and larger-than-life figures that Todd Otis describes are vivid and engaging. Most importantly, the book reminds us that the ideals such as truth, justice, and freedom that were the bedrock of our fight for independence are still relevant today as we work to preserve and protect our democracy."" - Amy Klobuchar, US Senator, Minnesota ""Sparks of the Revolution is a riveting historical novel that offers engaging portraits of key leaders like Samuel Adams, John Hancock, and James Otis, as well as other American and British leaders in pre-Revolutionary Boston. Reading the scenes Todd Otis wrote made me feel like I was there. His description of the planning and execution of the Boston Tea Party was superb. As a history buff, I enthusiastically recommend this book!""- Dr. Arthur Rolnick, Retired Director of Research, 9th Federal Reserve District ""As the descendant of seven soldiers who fought in the Revolutionary War, I thoroughly enjoyed every page of Sparks of the Revolution. I had heard of James Otis and Mercy Otis Warren before, but somehow I did not know very much about them. Todd Otis has brought these historical people to life as fully-developed characters in this novel. We see their motivations, passions, fears, and shortcomings here, making them real people to us. Most importantly, we come to understand the integral role they played in the events leading up to the American Revolution, and we see how closely connected they were to other patriots like James Hancock and Samuel Adams. The inclusion of Crispus Attucks, the first martyr of the Revolution and an African American at that, into the story highlights the book's relevance to today, showing how we must continue to protect the freedom our ancestors achieved."" - Tyler R. Tichelaar, award-winning author of When Teddy Came to Town and Kawbawgam: The Chief, The Legend, The Man ""As a former history teacher and Superintendent of Boston Public Schools, I know the importance of place and history, and how the intersection can instill in students their sense of identity and the formation of their democratic values. These are fundamental to the function of public education and the creation of an informed citizenry. Sparks of the Revolution does that and excites the imagination. It shines light on the leaders who helped lay the foundation of our democratic values. This is the kind of book that should fill our school libraries and elicit classroom discussion and debate, and even inspire students to shape the future for the better."" - Dr. Brenda Casselius, former Superintendent of Boston Public Schools and former Minnesota Commissioner of Education"

Author Information

Todd Otis was born in 1945 and lives in Minneapolis with his partner, Ren. He is the father of Philip, Katharine, and Madeline, and stepfather of Josh and Heather. He is the proud grandfather of eight amazing grandchildren. He was educated at the St. Paul Academy and earned an AB from Harvard College and an MS in Journalism from Columbia University. He is an indirect descendant of James Otis the Patriot.Todd's public service includes being a volunteer in the Peace Corps, Senegal, as well as serving as a Minnesota State Representative from 1979 to 1990, after which he consulted and advocated for support of environmental and educational reforms. The last twenty years of his working life were dedicated to improving the early care and education of Minnesota's youngest citizens. Today, Todd serves on several boards. He is also the author of A Review of Nuclear Energy in the United States: Hidden Power (Praeger, 1981). He enjoys being with his family and friends, reading, writing, playing tennis, watching Minnesota sports teams, and traveling with Ren Dewar

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