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It's almost like you are there with the founding fathers in 1776. David McCullough does it again. Gives new light to old history in a most personal way.
It explains how rag-tag and unprofessional the Continental Army could be at time, while at other times it could be fiercely brave. This may be one of the best books I've ever read. I highly recommend this book and kind of wish McCullough would write 1777 (and 1778 for that matter). It also tells how the British felt about the Revolution and how many Americans (especially in New York) stayed loyal to the Crown.This is a great history. Using expert research and letters of those who were there McCullough weaves an amazing story of the military engagement which took place during the year we declared our independence.Not only is this an enthralling military history but an engaging story of human bravery and suffering. You not only get a great look into the minds of the American and British generals, but you witness the thoughts of the common soldier who fought in the important battles such as the Siege of Boston and the battles of Manhattan island.This book also give a great insight into life in America during the late 18th Century.
I wish this was required reading for all high school students or at least those who teach history. McCullough focuses on the stereotyped and often cliched George Washington in a way that alternately humanizes him and makes makes him more remarkable than legend. After this try Washington's Crossing by David Hackett Fischer - an excellent follow up in the same subject with a little more detail. One of the best books I have ever read. An excellent and compelling account of the nearly tragic early years of the United States' bid for independence.
But, as "The First American Army left me wanting more, I found myself with the same feeling after reading this book.A great book for those with a growing interest in the Revolution but it only provides a small picture of what was happening and an even smaller sense of why, 1776 is easy to read and comprehend and helps you in your year long journey with Washington and some of his troops. I took on this book after having read "The First American Army." The book follows Washington's army in its defenses, offenses and strategies in the year 1776. Operations in New York and New Jerey were seen as pivotal at the time and the book explains why.
McCullough is not only a wonderful historian, but he is also a very gifted writer and the prose leaps off the page. McCullough does something in this book that is difficult to do. This text gives one the appropriate sense of grandeur and history that the year 1776 richly deserves.
McCullough has said that "history is about people.time and human nature." and 1776 captures the essence of all of those qualities. He does justice to a miracle.This should be on the bookshelf of any serious student of America. Holding the book together is a well rounded and honest portrayal of George Washington, and McCullough's ability to find little know nuggets of personal history flesh out even further this well known father of our nation.After reading this text, one realizes that this first year of our nation was nothing short of a miracle.
1776 is a work of staggering simplicity and monumental achievement. McCullough's masterly and vivid style is no small feat.Mr. Not only for its historical record, but also because it gives the reader an even greater appreciation for the beacon of freedom in the world that is America.
Yet at the same time it brings such sweeping history into minute detail and humanity, making the reader realize that these giants of history were fully human, and like us, at times amazingly inspired and sometimes flawed.Mr. The readers mind easily finds accessible the scenarios which are described in the text.
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