1776

The American rebels' victory over Britain seems so inevitable now, 200 years in the future and after years of mildly patriotic schooling. This book makes it brutally clear that not only was the American victory NOT inevitable, it in fact was a goddamn miracle that the cause lasted beyond the first year.

I was told that David McCullough made a great deal of money with his popular histories. I'm beginning to see how that might be possible. This history is as like a realist historical novel with many characters as a history can be. As the events transpire, their effect is shown via quotations from many original sources, mostly personal letters and diaries. The difference between this history and, e.g., David Sharra's historical novel "Rise to Rebellion" is that McCullough is never the omniscient narrator; he always describes the events from the outside, as a historian, and he supports his every claim with a mountain of end notes. A further source of McCullough's appeal may be his lack of overt politicizing. He tells the story without show more including any remarks on what he thinks we should infer about contemporary events from his tale. The book lacks any preface or foreword; evidently McCullough thought that there need be no justification for writing a book about this time other than its inherent interest. And finally the prose is lively and full of interesting detail without any glaring malapropisms. Recommended. show less

I have again been surprised by how readable and enjoyable I have been finding some non-fiction as of late. This is the story of the first year of the Revolutionary War : General George Washington and his improbable, bedraggled, often disaffected rabble/army -- including the siege of Boston, the escape from New York, and finally the mythical crossing of the Delaware and the surprise attack at Trenton.

I read this account with facination and almost a sense of nostalgia and wonder as I recalled learning this all in elementary school. This is the stuff of legend, yet it actually happened and I found it most interesting to read about how it unfolded -- the errors of judgements, the strokes of luck, the apalling lack of communication and show more intelligence. I was also rather surprised at the number of Loyalists as well as the lack of willingness of men to serve in the army. That is not the way one remembers the legend . . .

Well-written, accessible history, complete even with portraits of many of the major players, and old eighteenth century maps. Almost reads like a novel. Only occasionally a bit dry, and perhaps occasions when I wished for greater detail -- but I think these are limitations of sticking directly to primary sources -- you do lose some drama. But overall, quite well-done. show less

Non-fiction history of the year 1776, a pivotal year in the American Revolution. McCullough focuses on the prominent leaders, both British and American, and we get a good idea of their strengths and weaknesses. It contains descriptions of each military target, the strategic objectives, how the engagement ensued, and its outcome. After reading this book, I am astounded that the Americans won, as they severely lacked weapons, powder, money, troops, experience, discipline, and leadership. One of the strengths of the book is showing how the leaders of the Continental Army, particularly George Washington and his top staff, learned hard lessons early, and applied them in later battles. The author provides balance by going into depth on the show more personal traits of the British leaders and why they made certain decisions. He also shows how the actions of the many loyalists assisted them. The main detractor, for me, was the abrupt ending. I realize he was focusing on just one year, but the ending summarizes seven years into a few paragraphs. The author has done an incredible amount of research, as documented in the footnotes, bibliography, and acknowledgements. The images at the end were helpful. Recommended to readers of history-related non-fiction or anyone that wants to learn more about the American Revolution. show less

McCullough covers the battles of 1776 in detail, showing the strengths and weaknesses of both the American and British sides. But 1776 is very much about the war and not the politics—if you’re hoping for insights into the Continental Congress and the ideas and debate that went into the creation of the Declaration of Independence or the U.S. Constitution, 1776 is not the book for you.

It is, however, yet another book that fills in the background of the simple stories taught in American grade schools. We all know that America “won the war” and became an independent country, but most people probably imagine that the war was, by and large, a success, and that it was a success because of Washington’s brilliant leadership and the show more dedication of his loyal troops. McCullough shows us that the reality of the situation could hardly have been more different.

Washington was inexperienced and made numerous blunders, many of which could have led directly to defeat of not only his army, but of the whole cause. Without the input and guidance provided by his more experienced or educated generals, the war could have ended differently.

The majority of American troops were a ragtag band of uneducated, poorly drilled, ill-disciplined, and badly armed men who were reluctant to join the army in the first place, often deserted or crossed the lines to surrender or change sides when times were tough, and often fought poorly. Some of the blame can be laid on their officers, often more concerned about being reelected than imposing military discipline, and usually lacking in any military training or experience themselves.

Through luck, hard work, and bravery on the part of some of the troops, military strategies informed by some of the high-ranking American officers, and Washington’s ability to create an image of himself as a superb leader, the American army was able to hold its own against the British, at least enough to make the British decide that the costs required to defeat them were not, in the end, worth paying. show less

1776 is exactly what it says on the cover; a history about the crucial year of the American revolution. 1776 is focus on George Washington and the men around him, following the patriots from their triumph at the siege of Boston, to the bloody expulsion from New York, and the hard trek across New Jersey which ended with the sudden battles of Trenton and Princeton (America-we'll murder you in your sleep on Christmas!).

McCollough, as dean of the American historians, has a keen and sensitive eye in drawing narrative and character from the archives. He finds Washington and his colleagues in a moment of transition, unsure in a task no one alive has ever attempted, failing at time, but always learning from their mistakes and buoyed by the show more common purpose of independence. There's a lot more to be said about the revolution, but we're lucky to have a book by one of the master historians on this moment. show less

In reading 1776, I as a reader felt as if I was witnessing events as they unfolded. McCullough displays an eye for detail as he writes as if a painter. Even though his work focuses only on a year of the American Revolution, it is a great work that displays the twists & turns of a revolution that no one knew for sure who would win out. The chaos of war is played out here & gives a reader a sense of unease even though we are looking back at this critical period of American history. McCullough continues to amaze & impress his readers with another fine work.