A wonderful book and all the letters and maps are such a neat part of the book, if you can read them that is. They really bring the book to life in addition to the excellent work by the author. ( )

A long-time social studies teacher, I thought myself well-informed on the history of the Revolutionary War. Reading 1776, however, was an eye-opener on what a master writer and historian can do to bring such an important prelude to the founding of the United States into sharp focus and to weave the various strands (tactical, political, personal, etc.) into one remarkable tapestry. Aspects of this history once seen as discrete incidents suddenly take on new meaning as the full context is made understandable. McCullough is deserving of his accolades for this book. A reader will never see the beginnings of the American Revolution with the same eyes again. The narrative has many values: patriotic, spiritual, intellectual. A most rewarding experience. ( )

Every thing by David McCullough is well researched, and beautifully written. I love how he makes history come alive by delving so deeply into the characters, and everything that leads up to the decisions they make. The courage and moral strength of our founding fathers is beautifully captured as in all his books.

The reseach that is done for this book can only be described as amazing. Primary resources seem to be the only things to ever be quoted in this book. A must read for anyone fascinated by George Washington or even American history in general. ( )

The American Revolution is not a time period with which I am familiar. I grew up in Sweden and we just did not study it. I have studied American history after the Civil War when I was in the states but the period before...nothing. All the names and places are familiar but to me the American Revolution was summarised like this in my brain: "Washington was the general. The other dudes sat in Philadelphia. The Americans won. Bye bye British! Yeah Declaration of Independence. The End". Yeah, I needed more. Someone suggested that David McCulloughs books were perfect and I have to say they were right.

He finds a good balance between the military history (NOT my thing) and a narrative around the important characters in the war. They are all presented in a sympathetic manner, even King George III. I found the geography easy to follow along in. He to time to explain the distances and the difficulties involved in getting to the different battlefields. I liked how he vowe in personal recollections of those that where there, down to the lowliest soldier. It made it feel like a history of people not just jerking from battlefield to battlefield.

The book was read by the author and for me this added a more personal touch to the readings. You could tell that he knew the material well and was invested in telling it well. I felt like he was reading it to me. Not some far off mass of people who knew about the material already.

I will want to listen to it again because there are bits that I have missed because something happened and I didn't hear it properly or it just didn't make sense. But that is no hardship at all. ( )

Not as good as the same author's excellent biographies of John Adams and Harry Truman, this is nevertheless a detailed and absorbing account of America's independence struggle. The ending is rather rushed though. ( )

A fast read that's really enthralling even though you know the outcome. I am amazed that our colonies ever broke free from England - we were so close to never attaining the independence that we sought. ( )

(unabridged audiobook read by the author): I take partial responsibility for my opinion of this book, because I really ought to have known better. I knew it would cover a pivotal year in the American Revolution, but what I did not realize was that it would focus exclusively on the military aspect. The Declaration of Independence is almost an afterthought while each battle, march, and strategy is described in painstaking detail. I did learn a lot about George Washington as a person, which was cool, but overall I was kind of bored. It didn't help that the author's voice was a tad dull and droning, making him easy to tune out. ( )

Classic McCullough, well researched and reader friendly. ( )

http://thebookwormslibrary.com/?p=137... ( )

Really enjoyed this book. Had no idea about the details surrounding The Revolutionary War. It's also interesting to hear about George Washington. Even though everyone pretty much considers him to be the bomb now, i had no idea that he had no idea what he was doing and almost f'd it all up.

A great read though. ( )

McCullough does a great job in 1776 in dispelling the myths of both the Continental and British army during the starting months and year of The American Revolution.

A great thing about a book like this, is the names of the brave men who have essentially been lost over time. Sure we know all about General Washington, but what about Joseph Reed, General Nathanael Green (Washington's favorite general), General Henry Knox, John Sullivan, Lord Stirling and others? In 1776 we learn how these inexperienced men kept the army together while in dire straights, while morale was down. The fact that there was even an army left at the end of 1776 when Washington, along with Greene, Sullivan and Stirling, led them to an unexpected attack and victory at Trenton and onto another victory at Princeton before the year was over, was remarkable.

Some amazing things happened after these victories:

Morale was up. Soldiers who were about to leave at the start of the year, instead stayed, realizing they were fighting for their futures. And the British had a grudgingly new respect for the Americans. One cavalry officer wrote: ...the fashion in this army to treat them in the most contemptible light, they are now become a formidable enemy.

McCullough perfectly captures the ups and downs of the Continental/American army: Sickness, devastating blunders, desertion, loyalty and victory.

This is the perfect account of the men who fought on both sides for the battle for America in the beginning months. Thoroughly researched and exquisitely told, this is the starting point for knowledge of The American Revolution. ( )

A wonderful read that was hard to put down. It is the telling of a part of U.S. history that usually is relegated to just a series of dates. Who says history is dry, boring, and hard to relate to! McCullough shows the struggles that Washington had to deal with and the miracles that continued to 'save' beleaguered troops from complete defeat. ( )

A wonderful read that was hard to put down. It is the telling of a part of U.S. history that usually is relegated to just a series of dates. Who says history is dry, boring, and hard to relate to! McCullough shows the struggles that Washington had to deal with and the miracles that continued to 'save' beleaguered troops from complete defeat. ( )

A wonderful read that was hard to put down. It is the telling of a part of U.S. history that usually is relegated to just a series of dates. Who says history is dry, boring, and hard to relate to! McCullough shows the struggles that Washington had to deal with and the miracles that continued to 'save' beleaguered troops from complete defeat. ( )

This is a history book that truly reads like a novel. Since you know who actually wins the Revolutionary war, I can't spoil the ending. But I will say that for the majority of the book, you thinking your history is wrong!

Starting with the successful siege of Boston, the book follows the war from Washington's arrival in New York, along his long retreat through New Jersey, and culminating in his triumphant crossing of the Delaware on Christmas night. By the time the Continental army triumphs at Trenton, you feel as if you have suffered the battle failures and hardships of the year. You'll be cheering them on, Washington and his troops, routing for a big win.

A great book and a great reminder of how much was sacrificed for our freedom and the Great American Cause.

Wow! It is such a miracle that we ever became a country. This book tells the story of the extreme challenges Washington faced trying to get our ragtag army together in 1776. He did it, and this book made me appreciate the sacrifices our early countrymen (and women) made.Quote-right ( )

What a wonderful book. It’s with some reluctance, however, that I give it only three stars.
McCullough’s narrative is second to none, and his research is typically on top of his game. I’ve been a fan of his since the first book of his that I read, “The Path Between the Seas.”

The problem with “1776,” though, is not its narrative or facts. Its problem is that much of the book deals with General Washington’s military campaigns in 1776, yet lacks any maps other than some color photographs of British maps. These maps were useful to the British, but useless to readers in modern times.

McCullough obviously wrote his book with the aid of maps, as he goes to great pains at times to describe movements, maneuvers, topography, geography and terrain: rivers, creeks, plains, heights, gullies, neighborhoods and even streets. Yet, for some odd reason he and his publisher denied his readers of the same aids, rendering his descriptions as essentially useless—worse actually: frustrating and distracting.

If you can get that behind you, you will enjoy the book immensely but be deprived of depth and understanding of the brilliant maneuvers and disastrous blunders committed in every the military campaigns. You will not grasp the complexity and daunting challenges each side of these conflicts faced, or context and scale.

What is so baffling to me about this is that six to eight simple maps could have overcome this. Instead, we are given illustrations and photographs of things or people, some of which are marginally or completely useless.

You can do better in reading about the military campaigns of 1776 with books that contain appropriate maps, including the Pulitzer-prize winning, "Washington's Crossing." But, McCullough still wonderfully captured something special in his book: Washington’s humanity, failings, indomitable character, perseverance, belief and ultimate triumph on behalf of his country. You learn of those who faithfully served him through victory, defeat and setbacks; of those who betrayed him; of shifting loyalties based on news from the battlefields; and of a base of believers who depended on Washington to deliver what the Declaration of Independence promised, namely, freedom.

Let me conclude by saying that I just finished this book today and cannot move on to my next one. McCullough’s “1776” has given me pause, moved and forced me to stop and ponder the wonderful character and leadership of George Washington, and to stand in awe of the several thousand beleaguered troops who stuck with him under imaginably harsh conditions. They, together, delivered on the promise in the closing line of the Declaration of Independence: “we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.” ( )

A fascinating look at the single year in American history. While not quite as in-depth as McCullough's fascinating biography of John Adams, this is both extremely informative and fun to read. For those of us who tend to like fiction better than non-, this reads very much like a fictional story. I was left wanting 1777, 1778, and so on. And there are plenty of footnotes and other supporting information, which adds credibility. Read it, and you'll get a good story, and get better informed, all the while looking very cultured and sophisticated. :)

This was such a good read, I quickly went out and purchased McCullough's John Adams. ( )

As always David McCullough does a great job of bringing the past alive. His ability to relate the factual events with a great narrative makes this a must read. ( )

I love historical works, and I absolutely loved this. There is so much richness in American history that most Americans simply do not know about (and sadly do not care). ( )

Wow! God's providential hand on America's founding has been incredible. Wonderful recounting of familiar tales with lots of new information. ( )

I heard so many things about this book, and I was really looking forward to reading it. So here's my take.

Pros:

The opening. Every other Revolutionary War book starts with the Americans. This one started with the British. There was some great stuff in there I'd never read before, and I really enjoyed the reminder that this was a war with TWO sides.

The information. Lots of good stuff in there, thoroughly researched.

Cons:

A little too much information. Get to the action already!

The layout. There were 2 or 3 sections of pictures and maps and that was it.

No maps. Maybe it's just me, but I have trouble following the action of a battle. A map right where the battle is being described is much more helpful than if I have to turn back to look at it. There actually were 2 maps, both drawn at the time and almost impossible to read. Not helpful.

In summary, I compared this with Washington's Crossing which I read this year and I found 1776 lacking. I wasn't as motivated to pick it up and keep reading. Still, I'm glad I read it. But if you wanted to read a book on the subject, I would recommend Washington's Crossing and not this one. ( )

This was a great read if histroy is your thing, and it is mine.
I have injoyed several of David McCulloug's books ( )