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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
amazingly detailed account of the American Revolutionary War, focusing primarily on the first part of the war when it looked like the Continental army was going to lose (and surprisingly got away). Much of the book deals with General Washington and how he eventually won the confidence of his fellow patriots.
I am not a war person, and (though I love the details and cause/effect) the descriptions of the battles themselves bored me a little. What I loved though was how vividly McCullough details life during this time. Also, I loved how the book opens (the first section describes the battles in England in how to respond to the American aggression, something you don't hear much about).
I am not a war person, and (though I love the details and cause/effect) the descriptions of the battles themselves bored me a little. What I loved though was how vividly McCullough details life during this time. Also, I loved how the book opens (the first section describes the battles in England in how to respond to the American aggression, something you don't hear much about).
As good a book as you could hope for about the very early days of American independence. 1776 was a year that started with early promise for the revolutionaries, saw an official declaration written and signed, but also saw the hopes of the young country almost ground into dust by the world's most powerful military. Written in the style of a first-rate narrative, McCullough skillfully transports readers from site to site and details the intentions and thoughts of key players by weaving in their actual words in writing wherever possible. The last chapter of this book is amazing, with all the suspense of the momentous crossing of the Delaware River and attack at Trenton well conveyed. I only wish there were more volumes on the way that covered the rest of the war.
Very throughly researched and interesting to read. I didn’t know so much of this history of how rocky the start of the revolution was for the Americans.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
This is actually a re-read, but we are headed to Boston this weekend, so I can't resist a little U.S. History brush-up.
I love this book.
I love this book.
I finally finished it! It felt like it took me forever to finish it, but maybe that's just because it's been sitting in my room for 6 weeks.
Here's what I liked: there's a lot of detail, and McCullough has a knack for making the small details readable. He seems to be really good at making sure that he's impartial, and he also seems to be good at researching things. I learned a lot from it. I didn't know that the Hessians fought in the American Revolution (on the British side), and I didn't know that things were based in New York. I really liked that it focused on 1776, which is a pretty important year in American history.
What I Didn't Like: As detailed, well-researched, and readable his books are, I just can't get into his books. Don't get me wrong, I like the way he writes, but there's something so...boring and dry about it too. It's somehow manages to be boring and readable, all at the same time.
My rating would be a 3 out of 5. I liked it, but I'm not sure if his books are my cup of tea.
Here's what I liked: there's a lot of detail, and McCullough has a knack for making the small details readable. He seems to be really good at making sure that he's impartial, and he also seems to be good at researching things. I learned a lot from it. I didn't know that the Hessians fought in the American Revolution (on the British side), and I didn't know that things were based in New York. I really liked that it focused on 1776, which is a pretty important year in American history.
What I Didn't Like: As detailed, well-researched, and readable his books are, I just can't get into his books. Don't get me wrong, I like the way he writes, but there's something so...boring and dry about it too. It's somehow manages to be boring and readable, all at the same time.
My rating would be a 3 out of 5. I liked it, but I'm not sure if his books are my cup of tea.
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
tense
slow-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
informative
reflective
slow-paced