Examines the people and events both in the American colonies and in Great Britain between 1760 and 1776 that led to the American Revolution.

Chronology -- Main characters in the colonies -- Main characters in England -- Introduction: a special kind of Englishman -- "George, be a King!" -- "brought to a collision" -- Salutary neglect -- "the privileges of Englishmen" -- "the approaching storm" -- "Liberty, Property, and no Stamps!" -- "We may still light candles" -- "a bundle of sticks" -- "saucy Americans" -- "glorious tidings" -- "senseless glory" -- "further mischiefs" -- A study in contrasts -- "Town born, turn out!" -- "Wilkes and Liberty!" -- "My honour ... my country" -- "firmness is the characteristick of an Englishman" -- "a spark of patriotic fire" -- "They won't take the tea" -- "that baneful weed" -- "The Dye is now cast" -- "a blot on the page of history" -- Spare the rod and spoil the child -- "a Nursery of American Statesmen" -- "Blows must decide" -- "give me liberty or give me death!" -- "O! What a glorious morning is this!" -- English power, English honor -- "we have taken up arms" -- "seduced into war" -- "steering opposite courses" -- The magic of the monarchy -- "an asylum for mankind" -- Independence!.