Schenectady Genesis, Volume II, is a follow-up to Susan Staffa’s highly acclaimed first volume, the Colonial Crucible 1661-1774. This standalone volume traces the four most tumultuous decades in the history of Schenectady: from the ending of the French & Indian War into the War for Independence, and later Schenectady’s own fight for independence from Albany. At the same time, the town was burgeoning into an economic powerhouse at the center of the international fur trade, while trying not to tear itself apart over who owned the town’s Common Lands. This all plays against the growing friction of Schenectady’s transition away from its Dutch roots into a town with a greater English influence. It is not a stretch to state the armies and militia from Schenectady, Albany and Tryon counties played major roles in securing the northern border and helping to turn the tide in the Battles of Saratoga and skirmishes throughout the Mohawk Valley. The work strongly captures the state of tension that enveloped the region as fears of invasion from the north echoed throughout the valley. While military coverage is one of the great strengths of the book, Schenectady Genesis, Volume II, is so much more than a broadsheet to stake military claims. Detailed explications and charts covering businesses and their owners, churches and religious figures, governmental leaders, the growth of education in the city, and the roles of everyday citizens are all here. Extensive and well-document endnotes provide a wealth of historical information from primary sources that add flesh to storylines that would otherwise be ignored. TestimonialsJohn Gearing's exhaustive research has produced a wonderful book that will delight those readers looking for a complete picture of the American Revolution in and around Schenectady. It is also much more than just the recounting of military maneuvers, as it explores the complex cultural and business aspects of American colonial life in the second half of the 18th century. - Bill Buell, Schenectady County HistorianJohn Gearing’s engaging style weaves together a narrative of the political, commercial, and social life of Schenectady as it grew into a city. These stories connect us to our past, bringing to life the times and people who came before us. Schenectady Genesis, volumes I and II are a valuable resource for the historic preservation community, giving further evidence to why Schenectady’s important history and unique cultural resources are worthy of preservation.- Gloria Kishton, Chair, Schenectady Heritage Foundation Born and raised in Bristol, Connecticut, John F. Gearing's interest in local history began when his parents told him that town meetings in the 18th century were held under the boughs of the ancient oak tree that still stood just up the road from their house. Across from the oak lay a cellar hole, all that remained of Bartholomew's Tavern, which had stood there in Revolutionary times. That house was part of a 19th-century farm once owned by John's maternal grandfather. As a young adult, his reading of local history revealed how Bristol,  "the clock town," developed along with clock technology - how the clock and brass industries were related, how being seen as a center of one industry attracted other industries to the city, and how the demand for labor led to the diversification of the populace. These early experiences were the genesis of his life-long interest in history, from the archaeology of Olduvai Gorge to the present day. Mr. Gearing received a BA from Bates College and an MS from Georgia Institute of Technology. Following a career in the aerospace industry in California, he earned his JD from the UConn School of Law. In 2003, he moved to Niskayuna where he is currently in private practice. As a resident of Schenectady County, he began a deep interest in its early history, an interest that has grown with each passing year. He has taught students in SUNY Schenectady County Community College's Community Archaeology Program how to search for early land records, has conducted Halloween "ghost tours," and assists other historians with research on Schenectady's Stockade Historic District. Activities such as these contributed to John's being a 2012 recipient of a New York State Archives Larry J. Hackman Research Residency Award.