Eugene A ProcknowWilliam Hunter - Finding Free Speech: A British Soldier's Son Who Became an Early American

Procknow started with a short, partial biography of an early American and filled in the rest of his life with amazing research from hundreds of sources. Procknow did an excellent job at organizing his research into a logical, readable story, but couldn't overcome the limitations of his sources. In the end, we are left knowing little about William Hunter as a person. How tall was he? What color were his eyes and hair? How did he dress? These things are all lost to history.The book at times felt like a 2020's social commentary. Procknow repeatedly tells us that Hunter published articles comdeming slavery, but owned slaves himself, judging him through the eyes of modern values. Procknow implies that Hunter is a racist for having a low opinion of native Americans while failing to acknowledge that native Americans had sided against local settlers in two recent wars or that attrocities were committed by both sides.Dispite it's faults, "William Hunter: Finding Free Speech" is impressive research about the period from the American Revolution to the years preceeding the Civil War and Eugene Procknow has created an impressive legacy for those interested in the life of a fairly ordinary American during this period.

The author, Mr. Procknow, did a great job bringing William Hunter "to life" in this book. Prior to penning this book, I suspect a long time had passed since anyone spoke William Hunter's name. Over the course of 240 pages Procknow recants the young William Hunter's childhood, his different careers during adulthood, and finally his last years on earth. Procknow's research must have been extensive given the limited amount of material with which he started (a 35 page journal consisting of 12,000 words and no clues as to who wrote the journal). I found it fascinating to learn that free speech was under attack 200 years ago as much as it is today. In addition, fake news is not something akin to just the 21st century. Fake news was very much embedded in newspapers during William Hunter's life as well. Newspapers were unabashedly partisan in their reporting during his day (whereas now the partisanship is thinly veiled). It was also intriguing to learn that while William Hunter was against slavery in practice, he still engaged in it. I suspect Procknow traveled to many of the places that are chronicled in the book given the detail and richness of the narrative. This is a great book and I enjoyed it. I highly recommend it and look forward to his next book.

So much of our history is learned from stories and accounts of leaders at the time: Washington, Jefferson, Franklin, etc. But the fundamental formation of America lies in the decisions and actions of the unknown soldiers, patriots, pioneers and ordinary citizens of the nascent land. William Hunter may have been the son of an opposing soldier in America's fight for freedom from Great Britain, but Mr. Procknow tells his story as just one of the "huddled masses" who form the backbone of the United States. It is a fascinating tale and we are blessed by the author's discovery of such a rare journal. One of Mr. Procknow's statements towards the end really sums up the book: "As an immigrant, William [Hunter] embodies the experiences of those who have relocated to the United States and who have made substantial contributions to and helped mold the American story." A really enjoyable read!

Excellent book! It starts with the discovery of a diary of a young boy who was the son of a British soldier during the revolutionary war and journeys into the struggles the young man later undertakes trying to survive in the new country. The journey this man undertakes is extraordinary and presents a rare glimpse into what life was like in the years following the revolutionary war. It also provides rare insight into the newspaper printing business and offers surprising context to todays news media. Taken entirely from primary sources this is a brilliant piece of research that offers more insight into living through the revolutionary war and its aftermath than any book I have read to date. This is a refreshing read. Bravo!

The serendipitous discovery of Hunter’s journal began the author’s arduous effort to authenticate the manuscript and corroborate events recounted by Hunter with historical record. Procknow delivers a well sourced, thoroughly researched account of Hunter’s journey. It’s a rare insight into the perspective of a British soldier’s son during the Revolutionary war and his circuitous path to a place in American history.A young Hunter saw fledgling America as the better or perhaps the only option to pursue enlightened thinking, economic opportunity and personal fulfillment. He abandoned family, career, country and continent to participate in the grand experiment. His story resonates with many economic, political and social themes experienced today. We use terms like ‘re-engineering’, ‘politically adept’ and ‘media savvy’, all skills on full display by 18th century Hunter.It’s a great read. I hope you enjoy it.