"The author traces the Patriots' route from Connecticut, through western Massachusetts and the Berkshire Hills and north to Bennington, Vermont, and Lake Champlain. He chronicles the rival expedition led by Benedict Arnold, his confrontation with Allen and the surprise attack that changed the course of the American Revolution."--Page 4 of cover.

Part I.The seeds and forces of rebellion are created -- Thinking the impossible : capturing Fort Ticonderoga -- Tensions between the French and English mount -- After the French and Indian War : 1760-1769 -- Green Mountain Boys and Sons of Liberty -- More resistance and settlement : 1770-1775 -- At the beginning of 1775 -- The crown ignores warnings about Fort Ticonderoga -- Final tensions and the Lexington and Concord : April 19, 1775 -- Part II. The journey to Ticonderoga -- Journey starts in Hartford, Connecticut -- Massachusetts : Sheffield to Williamstown -- On to Bennington -- Bennington to Manchester -- From Dorset to the Castleton rendezvous -- Rendezvous at Castleton : extensive preparations -- A thunderbolt : Benedict Arnold appears -- Part III. The capture of Fort Ticonderoga -- The scene in the ravine -- "America's first victory" on May 10, 1775 -- Aftermath and historic trivia.