One year in the life of a reluctant General George Washington, his key advisors, and what was initially a haphazard group of farmers-turned-soldiers took my breath away. Letters from the field to loved ones, maps of key battles, perspectives from both sides, especially Washington's, illustrate how the Americans, vastly outgunned and outnumbered, made themselves too expensive to fight for the most powerful army and Navy on Earth - England's and it's allies'. I was humbled in reading it, surprised that the Continental Army's first headquarters sat at One Broadway Street in New York City. The American Army was looked upon by the British as trash - viewed as game to hunt down and kill. How a rag-tag army of soon-to-be former British subjects showed their stones, even though a little too much rum hindered them here and there. My favorite quote in the book by Washington's most valued staff, lawyer Joseph Reed in a letter home to his wife:. "When I look down and see the prodigious fleet they have collected, the preparations they have made, and consider the vast expenses incurred, I can't help being astonished that a people should come 3,000 miles at such risk, trouble and expense to rob, plunder, and destroy another people because they will not lay their lives and fortunes at their feet. ". As an American citizen - especially one not familiar with the prominent northeastern U.S. cities, this book changed my life. Read full review
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It is the year 1776 and General George Washington is under siege. The Congress is not paying salaries, there is no food, no clothing, men are deserting and the others are dying of illness. General Washington pulls from his deepest soul to motivate the men and turn the campaign to win the war for independence. It is a must read for all who treasure history!
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Like many people, the history taught in school was boring to me. I don't dislike the subject of history, but the dry textbook facts made even the most exciting events seem uninteresting. I knew there had to be a better way of relating the events of the past. David McCullough is truly a gifted historian and writer who is able to make the past come alive. 1776 was one of the greatest books I've ever read, fiction or non-fiction. The delightful narrative style tells the story in a way that is interesting and fun to read. The book is not only rich in details of events that you would find in traditional textbooks, but it is also rich in details of the people's personalities and characteristics. For so many years I have only been able to visualize the American Founding Fathers as figures in portraits I have seen, straight laced, serious, and without enthusiasm. McCullough's account of them brought them to life and revealed how passionate and courageous they all were. This book is ideal for anyone who wants to know what it was like during the most crucial time in American history. You will soon get sucked into the book and sent back in time to witness the vivid and colorful events that began this great nation.Read full review
Great read for a history lover! A book every American should consider reading.
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There are certain periods of history that never seem to become tired or dull regardless of how often they are written about. It seems that each new investigator finds some thing new to write about. The American Revolution is a case in point. A quick check of books in print will convince you. David McCullough's 1776 is a terrific investigation into the beginning of the American Revolution. Is it perfect? NO. It does have some missing pieces. But these minor defects are just that...minor. If you look at the complete work, I think you'll find that what 1776 lacks is made up for by McCulloughs ability to deliver the main facts on time and in a way the reader can grasp. As in John Adams, McCullough again finds the ability to make the main characters jump off the page. Washington, a figure that history has rightfully made larger than life is once again a human man, tortured with doubts and always mindful that disaster is just around the corner. I especially like the treatment that McCullough give King George III. As a reader, I always like reading a book that moves along. McCullough's narrative does that quite well. In fact, some of the flaws that other reviewers have rightfully pointed out seem to spring from this style of writing. Well researched and paced for the non-historian, 1776 is a winner. When all is said and done, you'll find that 1776 is worth the time you'll spend reading it.Read full review
This book is packed with information, and all of it comes from first party sources. Firsthand accounts from battles and quotes from the soldiers who experienced it. It also has quotes directly from Washington himself which were taken from letters he wrote to his fellow American revolutionaries. Overall this book blew me away with the amount of detail provided. Now I'm onto the next McCullough book, John Adams!
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I read this book because it was my book club's selection. I had already read JOHN ADAMS, by the same author, which was an excellent book. 1776 was, of course, well researched, but the early chapters were difficult to stay "tuned in" to. I had to re-read the first 20 pages or so a couple of times. The readibility of the rest of the book is much better, and I learned a great deal about the struggles of our founding fathers. Some of the other book club members struggled, also. The information that the reader gains makes it well worth the read, but look for slow going at first.
Very well researched and well written book about the American Revolutionary war. McCullough provides masterful details of the many of the characters involved in the war, as well as the events leading up to it. He exposes the reader to the viewpoint of the British and American "loyalists" as well, which is a view that I had never taken into account before. The only downside to this book is that it pretty much ends after the Battle of Trenton. I guess I had expected a more comprehensive history of the Revolution. In light of the breadth of the subject matter, I guess my initial expectations were probably a bit unreasonable. All in all this was a very good book, and I would give it a 4 1/2 out of 5.
As with other McCullough books I have read, this is spellbinding and puts one right into the action. His death is a loss to history writing. He had a magic with words and a sense of time that transcended the distance to bring the characters to life and reveal facts that, even as a history teacher and devout researcher, and not discovered.
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I bought this as a gift for my brother. He loves it and says every high school student in the nation should be required to read it. McCullough is an awesome writer and totally deserves those two Pulitzer prizes he has received.
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