In 1776, the Founders who signed the Declaration of Independence pledged "our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor." Lives and honor did indeed hang in the balance, yet just what were their fortunes? How much did the Founders stand to gain or lose through independence? Investigating the private financial affairs of the Founders, Willard Sterne Randall also surveys a broad range of Americans, illuminating how and why the Revolution came about.

"Well written and packed with human interest…. A vivid history of how America paid for its Revolution and why the Founding Fathers made the decisions they did."—Kirkus Reviews