Overview

The compelling story of a little-known figure in the American Revolution, now available in paperback for the first time, with a new foreword by Iris de Rode. In 1776, the playwright and inventor Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais (1732–99) conceived an audacious plan to send aid to the American rebels. What's more, he convinced King Louis XVI to bankroll the project and single-handedly carried it out. By war's end, he had supplied Washington's army with most of its weapons and powder, though he was never paid or acknowledged by the United States. To some, he was a dashing hero, a towering intellect who saved the American Revolution. To others, he was a pure rogue, a double-dealing adventurer who stopped at nothing to advance his fame and fortune. In fact, he was both, and more: an advisor to kings, an arms dealer, and an author of some of the most enduring works of the stage, including The Marriage of Figaro and The Barber of Seville. Now in paperback, Improbable Patriot introduces readers to an unrecognized power player in the Revolutionary War.

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9781684583164

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Reviews

“The author of this book brings the secret life of Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais into vivid relief with this well-written, engaging, and fast-paced tour de force.” * The Historian * “This delightful rogue of many talents set up a company to front for the French and Spanish regimes, secretly supplying weapons, munitions, clothing, and food to the struggling rebels.” * American History * “With wit and insight, Unger explores the question of whether Pierre Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais was a rogue or a hero by demonstrating he was more than a little of both.” -- Thomas Fleming, author of “The Strategy of Victory: How General George Washington Won the American Revolution” “Pierre Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais—perhaps France’s greatest playwright, editor of the works of Voltaire, master of the dramatic farce and father of musical comedy, creator of the immortal Figaro—said ‘the greatest act of my life’ was supplying Americans with the weapons that won their independence. Unger tells the story of Beaumarchais—playwright and patriot—bringing to life the tumultuous age of revolution.” -- Robert J. Allison, author of “The American Revolution: A Concise History”

""Pierre Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais--perhaps France's greatest playwright, editor of the works of Voltaire, master of the dramatic farce and father of musical comedy, creator of the immortal Figaro--said 'the greatest act of my life' was supplying Americans with the weapons that won their independence. Unger tells the story of Beaumarchais--playwright and patriot--bringing to life the tumultuous age of revolution.""--Robert J. Allison, author of ""The American Revolution: A Concise History"" ""The author of this book brings the secret life of Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais into vivid relief with this well-written, engaging, and fast-paced tour de force.""-- ""The Historian"" ""This delightful rogue of many talents set up a company to front for the French and Spanish regimes, secretly supplying weapons, munitions, clothing, and food to the struggling rebels.""-- ""American History"" ""With wit and insight, Unger explores the question of whether Pierre Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais was a rogue or a hero by demonstrating he was more than a little of both.""--Thomas Fleming, author of ""The Strategy of Victory: How General George Washington Won the American Revolution""

Author Information

Harlow Giles Unger is the author of twenty-seven books, including the three-volume Encyclopedia of American Education and ten biographies of America’s founding fathers. He lives in New York City.

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