1776 by David McCullough Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of 1776
Book Review: A Good Read for Many Reasons
Summary: 4 Stars
I'm glad that I read this book. I did learn a lot about the year 1776.
What the reader should not expect is a full history of the birth of our Nation. In fact, McCullough briefly mentions some events previous to 1776 (Bunker Hill, Lexington and Concord, etc) and expects you to already know about them. This left me a bit frustrated with the narrative at times. Likewise, some of the transitions were hasty and sometimes seemed kind of random to me. That being said, the reader will appreciated the tension that McCullough creates in describing the seige of Boston and the attack on Long Island. I also thought that the description of the events leading up to the Battle of Trenton was compelling and complete.
Will I read another book by McCullough? Maybe. But I'm glad that I read this one.
Book Review: A Great Book by a Great Author!
Summary: 5 Stars
I enjoy reading anything by DM and this book was no exception. I think that it's THE book to read on the Revolution. I was fortunate that I could get it at my library because I refused to buy it for my new Kindle. I realize that the business model for book publishers is changing and that book prices are in a state of flux, but it's ridiculous to price this book at $9.00 for the paperback edition and $13.99 for the Kindle. I love the Kindle but I will not buy Kindle books that are more expensive than the paper ones.Book Review: A Great Read
Summary: 5 Stars
1776 is another winner by David McCullough. If you have any knowledge of history, you know how it will end, but it's the story that is so riveting. The United States was still a brand new country in 1776. The threat that the Declaration of Independence could be negated by British and German military might was very real. McCullough tracks this tension with great historic research and draws us deep into the struggle. Kudos for another great book.Book Review: A Great Read
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this book for my husband, and he loved it. He never realized how much it looked like we were not going to win the war.Book Review: A Great Story Told Very Well; 3.5 Stars
Summary: 3 Stars
1776 is a narrative of the Continental Army from the siege of Boston to the victories of Trenton and Princeton. The emphasis is on Washington and his decisions. Like all of McCullough's books, it is written very well. McCullough's graceful but unobtrusive prose, eye for telling anecdote, and nice balance of narrative and selected quotes from primary sources, make this book a pleasure to read. McCullough admires Washington greatly but this is no hagiography; Washington's errors and inexperience are discussed insightfully. McCullough shows very well some of the important themes of the early Revolution. Two in particular stand out; the improvised and amateur nature of the Continental Army and the role of good forture in avoiding disaster. McCullough is also very good on the importance of some of Washington's lesser known subordinates, such as Nathanael Greene and Henry Knox. A nice touch is a useful bibliography.
While this is an excellent narrative, this book lacks context and analysis. Why, for example, did a privileged leader like Washington and humble figures like most of his soldiers become revolutionaries? Even when considered as a piece of military history, 1776 is focused somewhat narrowly. There is little on the British experience of the war. McCullough correctly makes much of the handicaps faced by Washington and his officers but it should be remembered that the British were operating at the end of a supply line stretching across the Atlantic. Some discussion/analysis of logistics for both sides would have been illuminating. McCullough's narrative is an implicit rejection of the common perception that the Continental Army defeated the British with unconventional tactics. This is very much a story of typical 18th century warfare with siege, manuever, and set piece battles. Why not provide some context on 18th century war? The maps in this edition are inadequate.
This is a worthwhile and relatively easy read but for more meaty narrative and analysis, read some of the books McCullough mentions in his bibliography.