Charles Lee, a former British army officer turned revolutionary, was one of the earliest advocates for American independence. Papas shows that few American revolutionaries shared Lee's radical political outlook, and his confidence that the American Revolution could be won primarily by the militia (or irregulars) rather than a centralized regular army.

Colonel Lee's son -- Early encounters and life lessons on the American frontier -- An ambitious officer -- Absolute power is a serpent -- The brutality of love and war -- The greatest son of liberty in America -- The dogs of war -- The key to the continent: New York -- Angels of indecision: Virginia -- Lee's southern glory -- Lee's northern disillusionment -- The idol of the officers -- The king's famous prisoner -- Monmouth -- Washington's scapegoat? -- The bitter end.