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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
I don't usually read nonfiction (that's what Wikipedia is for!) but this was good :)
After thinking about it for a few days, I'm subtracting a star. I liked this book MUCH better than McCullough's Johnstown Flood, which I found patronizing and oddly written. This one had a lot less extemporaneous theorizing and a lot more of McCullough just explaining the facts, which was good. I also think McCullough's writing style made this book really easily readable. My dissatisfaction comes from the fact that this book is really basic. Sure, there are some things that only historians would just know off the top of their heads, and I enjoyed reading about the friendship between Washington and his secretary, John Reed, and between Nathaniel Greene and Henry Knox. I'm not sure that outweighed the really elementary feel to the book. I feel like this is a good place to start with your exploration of the American Revolution, or to get a good grasp on the origins of the Revolutionary War, but not much else.
Also, for some reason I was expecting this book to cover more of what was going on with the Continental Congress trying to get the resolution for independence passed, but that was only briefly touched on.
Also, for some reason I was expecting this book to cover more of what was going on with the Continental Congress trying to get the resolution for independence passed, but that was only briefly touched on.
As someone who grew up in New England, the details of the acts and events that lead up to the Revolutionary War have always been ingrained in my psyche since I first did a project on the subject in 5th Grade. The various tariffs and taxes, the Tea Party, the Boston Massacre, Paul Revere's ride, up to the Battle of Lexington and Concord. It's a funny thing though, I honestly couldn't have told you what came after. I knew other bullet points like the Continental Congress drafting and signing the Declaration of Independence and the final defeat of the British at Yorktown but the block of years that formed the full war from 1776 to 1783 was more or less a question mark.
David McCullough creates a gripping history of the full year of 1776 focusing mainly on the progression of the actual war between the Continental Army lead by General George Washington and the British lead by General William Howe. Actual letters and documentation from the time are stitched into the narrative giving a perspective from key individuals and really setting the tone and sentiment of each side as the months went on. The siege of Boston and New York are covered in great detail along with strategies and motives at play and the conditions that each army was saddled with. It is honestly quite humbling to see what a tenuous hold the rebel army had on even staying together and surviving day-to-day. History could have possibly been very different if things went differently.
David McCullough creates a gripping history of the full year of 1776 focusing mainly on the progression of the actual war between the Continental Army lead by General George Washington and the British lead by General William Howe. Actual letters and documentation from the time are stitched into the narrative giving a perspective from key individuals and really setting the tone and sentiment of each side as the months went on. The siege of Boston and New York are covered in great detail along with strategies and motives at play and the conditions that each army was saddled with. It is honestly quite humbling to see what a tenuous hold the rebel army had on even staying together and surviving day-to-day. History could have possibly been very different if things went differently.
Great author. Very focused narrative that moves along very nicely for non-fiction.
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Just bought this at the library used book store. I am really excited to read this. I have been on a history kick lately.
this might be too dry for people who aren't totally into history. i am, so i liked it. even though the title is 1776, so i knew it would focus on that year, it was odd to be plopped into and then pulled out of the war. no beginning or end.
informative
slow-paced
Read this again to prepare for a new school year. Big plans to use with 7th and 8th grade students- it's so much better than the 30yr old textbook that I am supposed to use!
Washington has always been my favorite president. This book reinforced that fascination. Good book, quick read.