Is there any difference between present perfect and present perfect continuous?

Let's do it on an example:

Present perfect:

I have read "Lord of the Rings:

Present perfect continuous:

I have been reading "Lord of the Rings:

in the first case, I have actually finished reading it and I know the ending; in the second case: I am still reading it, and I haven't finished it yet: so I don't know the ending yet.

So, yes, there is a difference both in form and in meaning between the two tenses.

The american colonists strongly opposed the tax laws imposed by the british government. the american colonists were angered by the presence of british soldiers who had found employment in america