Hogeland, William

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Hogeland, William

PERSONAL:

Born in VA.

ADDRESSES:

Home—Brooklyn, NY. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Scribner's Publishing, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020. E-mail— whogeland@earthlink.net.

CAREER:

Freelance writer. Has worked variously as an English teacher, music critic, copywriter, and drywall contractor.

WRITINGS:

The Whiskey Rebellion: George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and the Frontier Rebels Who Challenged America's Newfound Sovereignty, Scribner (New York, NY), 2006. Contributor to periodicals, including the New York Times, Atlantic Monthly, and Slate.

SIDELIGHTS:

A dramatic and violent revolt against the newly formed American government is chronicled in freelance writer William Hogeland's first book, The Whiskey Rebellion: George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and the Frontier Rebels Who Challenged America's Newfound Sovereignty. The rebels of Hogeland's account were farmers and whiskey makers who were infuriated by a tax on distilled liquor that was imposed by the federal government. Their rebellion— which included attacks on the homes of government supporters, and talk of secession—lasted from 1791 to 1795 and was suppressed only after President George Washington ordered in troops to control the uprising. Hogeland tells the story from the perspectives of the frontiersmen and key players such as Washington and Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton, and touches on themes such as the extent of control exerted by federal leaders versus state governments, conflict among various classes, and opposition of governmental decrees.

Booklist reviewer Jay Freeman called the book a "provocotive and interesting chronicle," adding that Hogeland "knows how to tell an exciting story." A "judicious, spirited study" and a "perceptive parable" is how a Publishers Weekly reviewer described the book. Len Barcousky, writing for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, concluded: "Hogeland captures the drama, danger and importance of that period in his new fastpaced history.… [He] tells his complicated story clearly and quickly."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Booklist, February 15, 2006, Jay Freeman, review of The Whiskey Rebellion: George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and the Frontier Rebels Who Challenged America's Newfound Sovereignty, p. 33.

Kirkus Reviews, December 15, 2005, review of The Whiskey Rebellion, p. 1310.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, April 23, 2006, Len Barcousky, "Western Pennsylvania Tax Rebels First to Feel Lash of New National Government," review of The Whiskey Rebellion.

Publishers Weekly, December 12, 2005, review of The Whiskey Rebellion, p. 46.