1776 by David McCullough
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Book Reviews of 1776
Book Review: Just Great
Summary: 5 Stars
Nothing much to say except that when I picked up, I could not put it down. Read it entirely in a couple of days. If you are interested in American history, this book will make a great addition to your library.Book Review: 1776
Summary: 4 Stars
I have always been a fan of Revolutionary War history. I was born Williamsburg, it was easy as a kid to let imagination take over in a town like that. I thought 1776 was great. I thought that the book could be expanded to allow in the whole northern campaign of the war, Breeds Hill, Ticonderoga, Lexington, Concord and the events that led to these battles. However, it covered the year 1776 from Washington's perspective in a such a way that made me put the book down to just ponder the details of the story that no one, not even Washington, knew the way it would end. This book should be part of every high schools required reading list, because it can invigorate the understanding of our country's bedrock traditions. These traditions are so often unrealized, unappreciated words whose backstory is only vaguely understood by each new generation. This book will invite a love of history, and respect for history to all who read it...
Will Lutz
Book Review: An Interesting Overview of a Difficult Year
Summary: 4 Stars
What works in David McCullough's "1776" is the introduction of smaller stories. This is when he shines. Everyone knows that George Washington is larger than life and has in their head iconic images of him crossing the Delaware. What fascinates here is the story of Henry Knox getting much-needed guns to Boston, or the fortuitous fog that allows the entire army to escape.
Another aspect of 1776 that I loved was the fact that Washington, in the midst of one of the most difficult and disappointing years of his military career, was obsessed with completing his renovation of Mount Vernon. He's upset about how poorly things are going on the front lines, so he steps away briefly to write home and specify just how he wants the fireplaces to be installed. This is classic adaptation to events - if you can't control the situation you're in, find one that you can control and attend to that for a while.
The stories, intertwined and numerous as they are, are edited brilliantly by McCullough, who makes this book, which could have been a dry recitation of dates and battles, a human tale of sacrifice, triumph, disappointment, homesickness and almost anything else you could name. I could "hear" Mr. McCullough's voice throughout my reading of the story, and that's a huge compliment.
Book Review: History well told
Summary: 5 Stars
It can be said of this book, as it can for most of McCullough's work, that it is a rare example of accurate history blended with well-crafted story telling that is equally appealing to both mainstream history buffs and seasoned professionals. Usually with books (music and movies too for that matter) it is the case that integrity and depth of ideas become diluted proportional to their popularity - something meant for a larger audience looses the specifics and details that are only appealing to a smaller set of people, thus reducing marketability. David McCullough, whether writing about a person, an event, or in this instance, a year's worth of events, consistently breaks this rule. 1776 is a readable book that deserves credit for its ability to enlighten the historical novice while contributing a worthwhile perspective to the first "official" year of American History.
The book itself is a simple narrative that moves proportionally and chronologically through the events of 1776. George Washington is the book's central figure. His relationship with Henry Knox stands out among numerous themes. Most of the emphasis is placed on the Siege of Boston, the Fall of New York, the New Jersey retreat, and the Battle of Trenton. While it takes place in early 1777 the Battle of Princeton is briefly detailed, largely because of its proximity in both time and importance to the Battle of Trenton. McCullough fills the spaces in between with a variety of stories pertaining to notable figures on both sides including Nathanial Greene, Israel "Old Put" Putnam, William and Richard Howe, and General Henry Clinton. One such story, a Thursday afternoon journey to Parliament by George III in October 1775 to discuss the Colonial problem, effectively starts off the book as it reviews the events of 1775, particularly Bunker Hill, and also delves into the daily political and social life of London. Some readers will be surprised to see an American book about the American Revolution cast King George III in a favorable, yet objective light. Absent from this book are the reports of a delusional tyrant. Instead we are given the description of a simple man, whose reported two favorite things included "a leg of mutton and his plain little wife", with a job to do and an empire to preserve.
A few things come to mind upon completion of this book. One is a sense that the real significance of the year 1776 was that of the decisions and sacrifices that were made along with the physical and mental conditions endured by those at every level who did the work. This same sentiment is also noted by the surprisingly brief appearance made by the Declaration of Independence roughly halfway through the book. Its absence does not imply a diminished sense of importance, rather a commitment to the reality that it was only a document that, no matter how eloquent, meant nothing without military success, which was hard to come by for the colonials in 1776.
Most notable of all is a point that McCullough alludes to throughout the book, first early on by the British parliament or through the eyes of loyalists fleeing Boston, then later from the perspective of the English and Hessians troops pushing through New Jersey. The point being the fact that this revolution was started and carried out by people who had some of the best material lives that the 18th century had to offer. The question of why they were doing it and what they were willing to go through is a large part of what makes the American Revolution the fascination that it is. 1776 is a thorough exploration of this important history that should, and probably will, contribute something significant to any reader's understanding of the American Revolution.
NOTE: There are some authors who read their own work on audio format and David McCullough is one of them. This book is available unabridged. Sometimes, particularly with abridgments, listening to a book in audio format gets frowned upon, as if it is considered cheating or at least skimping. This review has been written by someone who has both read and listened to parts of this book. McCullough's narrating skills being what they are, which is to say superb, leave one with the sense that both formats are legitimate and make a strong case for the validity of well produced audio presentations.
Book Review: Great details, but long
Summary: 4 Stars
1776 Adds perspective to the American Revolution, and provides many new details, but is a bit long for those just wanting basic history.