The Sam Patch The Famous Jumper by Paul E. Johnson is set in the years following the American Revolution. Sam Patch, the famous jumper from Niagara Falls who lived in Pawtucket Rhode Island as the protagonist of the story, is introduced. The book follows Patch through his life, from being a farm boy to working in factories as the Industrial Revolution begins. Patch is the main character in this biography. It follows his life from the time he was a mill boy to the day he became a star. Sam Patch was a man who had a hard life.
Patch, hoping to earn fame and money by showing off his leaping skills, protests against Timothy Crane. Crane is a wealthy man who, at the time of Industrial Revolution, tried to steal countless resources by destroying mill homes by building a massive bridge. The workers then had to pay entrance fees to cross to their jobs. Patch decides that he will jump off of the waterfall next to the bridge when the bridge begins construction. The workers are now focused on Patch as he has taken Mr. Crane away.
In this biography, not everything is about Sam Patch. There are also many things to learn about the politics and way of life in the post American revolution. Patch, who was a celebrity for three short years before he died, probably drunk, by jumping of the High Falls of the Genesee at Rochester, New York became mythical. People would write songs, perform plays and sing stories about this pioneer who became a workplace celebrity.
Paul E. Johnson has been a professor of South Carolina University for over 77 years. He was born on 15th August 1942. He earned his undergraduate degree at University of California Berkeley. Then, he went on to earn his masters and doctorate at University of California Los Angeles. Johnson’s non-fictional biography of Sam Patch is a great read for people of all ages. The storyline keeps readers interested in the book and wants to continue reading.
Johnson, as I understand it, wanted to preserve the history of Sam Patch, who had many great ideas and movements at the time. Even if he were a suicidal drunk. Johnson brought to light the events which I have recently discussed because even then, there was a need to resolve problems and one person had to take the initiative to do so.
