1776

by David McCullough

Other authors: See the other authors section.

Members	Reviews	Popularity	Average rating	Mentions
12,815	242	463	(4.05)	350
Based on extensive research in both American and British archives, 1776 is the story of Americans in the ranks, men of every shape, size, and color, farmers, schoolteachers, shoemakers, no-accounts, and mere boys turned soldiers. And it is the story of the British commander, William Howe, and his highly disciplined redcoats who looked on their rebel foes with contempt and fought with a valor too little known. But it is the American commander-in-chief who stands foremost -- Washington, who had never before led an army in battle.… (more)

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Showing 1-5 of 241 (next | show all)

Incredible the amount of detail author David McCullough is able to muster to flesh out this very compelling story of the struggle of 1776. I learned a lot, and developed a much deeper appreciation for some of the key battles and skirmishes of the American Revolution. From a literary perspective, the story wanes between pages of slightly too much detail to moments of sheer tension and enlightenment. McCullough tells a very human story, focusing on the known facts surrounding key characters, like Nathanael Greene, Charles Lee, Henry Clinton, Charles Cornwallis, William Howe, and George Washington. Highly recommend it for anyone interested in the period. (

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nakedspine | Nov 16, 2023 |

Still a 5 star read. Quick and dirty about the few ups and many downs of the colonial army in 1776. (

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everettroberts | Oct 20, 2023 |

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I think it's a miracle that America came into being so long ago. Everything was against us. Our army was so pitiful, but they had enormous heart and determination. I feel blessed to live here. (

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bcrowl399 | Oct 8, 2023 |

Veey interesting and well written, though nor nearly as good as his John Adams biograpjy, which was fantastic. (

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lschiff | Sep 24, 2023 |

The sixth book I've read by David McCullough and it's another wonderful treasure he left for us all. (

)

John_Hughel | Aug 14, 2023 |

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▾Published reviews

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thingScore 88

In his exhaustively researched and highly accessible new book, "1776," best-selling historian David McCullough (two-time Pulitzer winner for "John Adams" and "Truman") follows the Continental Army through a single, fateful year, one filled with surprise victories, stunning reversals, perilous midnight retreats and pure, grind-it-out perseverance. It's a story filled with drama, and McCullough shows himself once again to be among our nation's great storytellers.

added by MikeBriggs | editSan Francisco Chronicle, Chuck Leddy (Jun 19, 2005)

In his new book, ''1776,'' David McCullough brings to bear on this momentous year the narrative gifts he's demonstrated in such absorbing histories as ''The Great Bridge'' and ''The Path Between the Seas.'' As a history of the American Revolution, it is an oddly truncated volume: pivotal developments leading to the revolution like the Stamp Act, which happen to fall outside the perimeters of Mr. McCullough's rigid time frame, are not examined, and subsequent installments of the war (which would continue on after the Trenton-Princeton campaign for another half-dozen harrowing years) are ignored as well.

added by MikeBriggs | editNew York Times, Michiko Kakutani (May 24, 2005)

▾Other authors

» Add other authors (4 possible)

Author name	Role	Type of author	Work?	Status
McCullough, David	—	primary author	all editions	confirmed
Minor, Wendell	Cover designer	secondary author	some editions	confirmed
Trumbull, John	Cover artist	secondary author	some editions	confirmed

▾Series and work relationships

Is contained in

David McCullough Library E-book Box Set: 1776, Brave Companions, The Great Bridge, John Adams, The Johnstown Flood, Mornings on Horseback, Path Between the Seas, Truman, The Course of Human Events by David McCullough

Great Moments in History: 1776 / The Johnstown Flood / Path Between the Seas / The Great Bridge / The Course of Human Events by David McCullough

Is abridged in

1776: The Illustrated Edition by David McCullough

▾Awards and Honors

Awards

Audie Award (Finalist – Narration by the Author – 2006)

Booklist Editor's Choice (History – 2005)

Quill Award (Winner – History/Current Events/Politics – 2005)

Distinctions

Christian Science Monitor Best Book (History – 2005)

New York Times bestseller (Nonfiction – 2005)

San Francisco Chronicle Best Book of the Year (Nonfiction – 2005)

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▾Common Knowledge

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Canonical title

Original title

Alternative titles

1776

Original publication date

2005-05-24

People/Characters

George Washington

George III, King of the United Kingdom

Important places

Boston, Massachusetts, USA

New York, New York, USA

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, USA

Trenton, New Jersey, USA

Important events

American Revolution (1775 | 1783)

Signing of the U.S. Declaration of Indepence

Evacuation of Boston (1776-03)

Battle of Long Island (1776-08-27)

Battle of Trenton (1776-12-26)

(show all 6 items)

Related movies

Epigraph

Perserverance and spirit have done wonders in all ages. —General George Washington

Dedication

For Rosalee Barnes McCullough

First words

On the afternoon of Thursday, October 26, 1775, His Royal Majesty George III, King of England, rode in royal splendor from St. James's Palace to the Palace of Westminster, there to address the opening of Parliament on the increasingly distressing issue of war in America.

Quotations

Last words

(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)

Disambiguation notice

http://lccn.loc.gov/2005042505 . Please distinguish among, and do not combine:

Peter H. Hunt's film, 1776 (1972);
David McCullough's complete Work, 1776 (sometimes subtitled, "American and Britain at War," 2005);
the abridged audiobook, on 5 discs (2005; there's also one or more unabridged audio); and
McCullough's abridgment, 1776: The Illustrated Edition (2007).

Thank you.

Publisher's editors

Blurbers

Shindler, Dorman T.

Original language

English

Canonical DDC/MDS

Canonical LCC

▾References

References to this work on external resources.

Wikipedia in English (24)

▾Book descriptions

Based on extensive research in both American and British archives, 1776 is the story of Americans in the ranks, men of every shape, size, and color, farmers, schoolteachers, shoemakers, no-accounts, and mere boys turned soldiers. And it is the story of the British commander, William Howe, and his highly disciplined redcoats who looked on their rebel foes with contempt and fought with a valor too little known. But it is the American commander-in-chief who stands foremost -- Washington, who had never before led an army in battle.

▾Library descriptions

No library descriptions found.

▾LibraryThing members' description

Book description

David MCullough brings this monumental period in American history to life - I can't put this book down! Having grown up in Boston and now living in New York, Mr. McCullough's use of quotes and writings brings me even closer to the places I've called home.

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