April Morning was an interesting book concerning a young man, Adam Cooper, and the trials and tribulations of his taking part in the Battle of Lexington. The story takes place mostly in Adam's home town of Lexington, Massachusetts, but also partially on the surrounding roads and countryside.
             The novel opens with a glimpse into the daily life of the Cooper family. As Adam com-ments on the harsh perfectionist opprobrium of his father, I find myself drawn to his side of the issue. Adam confuses his father's constant animadversion with the feeling that his father hates him. These feelings of hate are somewhat annulled by Granny, Adam's grandmother and confi-dant. She tells him that, since she has known Moses Cooper longer than anyone, she knows that he really loves Adam. This is further exerted when Adam overhears a conversation between his par-ents.
             All this was happening with the rumblings of war nearby. The British taxes and tariffs were intensifying and by then most New England towns had their own local governments called Committees. These Committees were supported by local community leaders who also organized a town militia.
             When word reached Lexington that a British army landed, the local militia was mustered through much urging by Moses Cooper and Jonas Parker, the Captain of the Militia. They pushed for a marshaling of the soldiers for completely different reasons, however. Moses stood firm by the principles of freedom and common human decency. Jonas Parker simply felt that because he was chosen to be Captain of the Militia, it was his right, duty, and obligation to be out for the blood of any redcoat crossing into Lexington, Massachusetts.
             In any case, the British came to Lexington. The town representatives went to parlay with them. Jonas Parker, Moses Cooper, the Reverend, and Simon Casper, a confrontational battle ad-vocate, were there in front of three mounted British officers. All they...