This book is not as interesting as people led me to believe. It's basically a book about War....well duh, I hear you say, that's what the War of Independence was all about. However I thought it would be more analytical, why the war started, who the players were, give you the real story of political intrigue and all that jazz. Because war is never really about truth, justice and the American way. It's ALWAYS about a group of people that want the wealth and power of the current people who are in power, they just don't tell the people they lead to the slaughter that's what it's about.

The book starts smack bang into the war.....no lead in, no tension building just BOOM, the Americans are pissed and decide to start a fight and the British are indignant about the whole affair.....but who's going to say no to a bit of a war, we all know how much the British and Americans like a good scuffle.

I tried to get through the book but when the penny finally dropped that it would just be about war, I just had to call it quits.....I guess I wouldn't cut it as an American because real Americans DON'T QUIT! But I have to admire how they shook off the British.....200 years later and Australia still has Britain on it's back and their 'un-desirables' still flock down under to the 'colonies' and obviously complain about it all.

Technically I didn't actually read this for school, but it's so clearly written and informative that I'm putting it there.

David McCullough employs a lucid style in this book, detailed without being ornate, that conveys a lot of information in a short amount of pages. He's even-handed in his portrayals of the notable persons on both sides of the war, mostly focusing on them as soldiers and statesmen rather than as people. It's a refreshing approach, neither hagiography nor demonization. Both sides had noble idealists mixed with Machiavellians, fops, violent Neanderthals, and (on the British side, at least) mercenaries.

The book also makes it clear that war is mostly drudgery and discomfort, augmented by the terror of pursuit and ambush, and punctuated with spurts of carnage that often as not leave no clear victor. The only way it achieves anything is when one side decides that enough of its people have died. This particular war certainly had important goals, goals that would change the trajectory of human history, but that doesn't make it any less vile a business.

Having gotten this baseline of knowledge, I feel ready to tackle more books about the American Revolution. In fact, I'm quite excited to do so.

Recommended, especially if you have to write a paper about the Revolution. It's packed with useful info and very accessible.

A wonderful account about the good guys against the bad guys. Although the good guys didn't wear white hats.

After reading this book, I came to the conclusion that it was truly miraculous that we had actually won the American Revolution. It could be said, never had any ragtag army, under the worse of conditions been so lucky.

The Redcoats had us dead to rights. It was a no contest from the start. England had superiority on the land and at sea. But grave errors in judgment were made. If not for that, I'd probably be asking for a 'spot of tea'.

Non-fiction history of the year 1776, a pivotal year in the American Revolution. McCullough focuses on the prominent leaders, both British and American, and we get a good idea of their strengths and weaknesses. It contains descriptions of each military target, the strategic objectives, how the engagement ensued, and its outcome. After reading this book, I am astounded that the Americans won, as they severely lacked weapons, powder, money, troops, experience, discipline, and leadership. One of the strengths of the book is showing how the leaders of the Continental Army, particularly George Washington and his top staff, learned hard lessons early, and applied them in later battles. The author provides balance by going into depth on the personal traits of the British leaders and why they made certain decisions. He also shows how the actions of the many loyalists assisted them. The main detractor, for me, was the abrupt ending. I realize he was focusing on just one year, but the ending summarizes seven years into a few paragraphs. The author has done an incredible amount of research, as documented in the footnotes, bibliography, and acknowledgements. The images at the end were helpful. Recommended to readers of history-related non-fiction or anyone that wants to learn more about the American Revolution.

David McCullough has again exceeded all expectations in his latest book, "1776." Like most historical narratives, the reader often knows the ending well in advance. In "1776", every reader had to have expected that McCullough would close his book describing Washington's daring yet gallant crossing of the Delaware and the Continental Army's subsequent triumph at Trenton. Nevertheless, as I approached the end of the book I found myself anxiously awaiting that moment ... I literally read-on with bated breath.

David McCullough does a masterful job of describing with ease the events as they unfolded chronologically. Though as he does so, he more importantly provides acute analysis into the psyches of the main players. As much as this book was a narrative about the Continental Army from Bunker Hill, to Dorchester Heights, to Long Island and the Battle of Brooklyn, down through New Jersey and ulitmately victory at Trenton, the book could have as easily been a biography of sorts about His Excellency, George Washington.

McCullough's portrait of Washington is not unlike others that have been popularly written. Expectedly, the book portrays our first president as a man of faith and stellar, quasi-consecrated leadership. At the same time though, McCullough is careful not to deify the General and provides keen insights into Washington's probable feelings of self-doubt and diffidence, especially after the nearly catastrophic and ego-piercing defeats at Brooklyn and Fort Washington. Furthermore, McCullough exposes the fact that those close to Washington, General Charles Lee and Joseph Reed, lost much confidence in the General after the Continental Army's retreat across the Hudson and down through New Jersey.

With all of this provided as a backdrop though, a true picture of George Washington - his character, his dominion, his authority - is brought into sharp focus through McCullough's description of the Army's treacherous but euphoric victory over the Hessians at Trenton. I could literally picture Washington's animation and feel his exuberance when in the face of a potential call to retreat, he exclaimed to those under his command, "It's a fine fox chase, my boys!" One can only imagine the scene of chaos that filled the streets on that early winter morning; yet it is easy to picture General Washington sitting atop his horse, jubilantly inciting his troops to action. At the same time, because of McCullough's adroit description of the sometimes lackadaisical and even distracted British Commander, William Howe, one can only imagine Howe's consternation when learning of the defeat of the hired Hessian helpers.

Having mentioned Commander Howe, I also appreciated McCullough's determination in devoting a large portion of the book to characterizing British personalities and actions. Too few authors of the Revolutionary Period spend enough time measuring what was going through the minds of the British, the "enemy" at the time. Considering the fact that many living in the colonies during this period considered themselves loyal subjects of the King, it seems logical that a book describing the events of 1776 would adequately delve into British sentiment regarding the "rebels'" declaration of independence and the skirmishes and all-out war that followed. After all, the foot soldiers in the Continental Army were closely related, literally, to loyalists throughout the colonies.

In illustrating the overall British ethos, especially that of the King's Army, McCullough repeatedly denotes periods during the war where the Continental Army was and should have been on the cusp of ruin but for the seemingly high-minded haughtiness of the British leaders; most notably the aforementioned Commander Howe. Howe is painted as a somewhat apathetic and listless commander, severely lacking the killer instinct possessed by so many other leaders of the time on both sides. McCullough interestingly notes the stark difference between Commander William Howe and both his brother, Admiral Lord Richard Howe, and General Henry Clinton. Had General Clinton's thinking been adopted, the Continental Army probably never would have reached Dorchester Heights in the dead of night and thus would probably never have made it out of Boston.

In "1776", David McCullough has closely matched the superiority "John Adams" and his numerous other historical works. David McCullough truly is a "master of the art of narrative history." Like both of the late Stephen Ambrose and the late David Halberstam, David McCullough has become, in my mind, a national treasure.

History is eminently fascinating but often sin written as such. Not a problem for McCullough. He novelizes history as well as anyone, but without sensationalizing. A thoroughly enjoyable and informative read.

This is a well written and researched account of 1776, the early days of the American Revolution.
I was partially interested in learning about the parts that took place on Long Island, where I have lived my whole life. The maps were amazing to see the places and names that still remain today.
I learned so much that was missed in history class.

October 1775, King GeorgeIII declared America in rebellion to the crown. There were Americans followers who were loyal to the King. The British army was powerful.
We meet George Washington, Nathaniel Green and Henry Knox. The American army consisted of farmers schoolteachers and shoemakers. Young boys who became soldiers.
George Washington Commander in Chief never led an army into battle.
We learn of the hardships and failures along the way. Defeat followed defeat. When all hope is gone George Washington proposes a plan.

This book is such an important part of American history and who we are today. It is a compelling read.

Another book that presents the myth that the US is a great "democratic" country. A country that subjugated the Native Americans, discriminated against other minorities, and meddled in other countries to promote hegemony.

Learned a ton of details about this piece of history. It's amazing when you understand how some particular events, many times out of human hands, such as an unexpected storm, could change the course of history. This is a good book for those who enjoy history.

Birth of a Nation.

Coming into this book, I don’t know what to expect. Critically acclaimed, but short, David McCullough’s 1776 in some respects has lived up to its reputation. The book provides a historical account of one of the most pivotal years in American history, with McCullough taking the reader through the critical events that defined the American Revolution. He focuses on the military campaigns, the struggles of the Continental Army, and the leadership of George Washington. Unlike many accounts of the Revolution that centre primarily on political debates and ideological battles, McCullough’s narrative is refreshingly focused on the war itself, shedding light on the human elements behind the grander historical events.

McCullough has an ability to make history come alive, which impressed me and has given me interest in his other work. He paints vivid portraits of the key figures on both sides of the conflict, from the resilient and often beleaguered George Washington to British General William Howe, whose strategic missteps greatly influenced the outcome of the war. McCullough doesn’t present these individuals as flawless heroes or villains, but as real people facing extraordinary challenges, with all their strengths, weaknesses, and uncertainties. This balanced portrayal adds depth to the story and humanizes the Revolutionary War in a way that many historical texts do not.

The research behind ‘1776’ is impeccable as one might expect. McCullough draws from a wide range of primary sources letters, diaries, and official document, to provide the reader with an intimate look at the events and decisions that shaped the year. This meticulous attention to detail enriches the narrative, offering a nuanced perspective of key battles like the Siege of Boston, the retreat from New York, and the surprise attack at Trenton. He presents the struggles of the ragtag Continental Army, often outnumbered and under-resourced, in a way that emphasises both the desperation of the cause and the resilience of its fighters.

While the book is focused primarily on the military aspects of the Revolution, it is not without its moments of reflection on the broader implications of the war. McCullough subtly weaves in themes of leadership, perseverance, and the uncertain nature of history, making ‘1776’ not just a historical account, but also a meditation on the factors that drive great change. Washington’s leadership, in particular, is a central theme, and McCullough skillfully demonstrates how his vision, moral strength, and tenacity were essential to keeping the Revolution alive, even in the bleakest of times.

If there is a critique to be made of ‘1776’, it might be that the book is somewhat narrowly focused on the American side of the conflict. While the British perspective is not entirely ignored, it is less developed compared to McCullough’s deep dive into the experiences of the Americans. This leaves some of the complexities of the British strategy and decision-making slightly underexplored. However, this choice can also be seen as a strength, as McCullough’s focus allows for a more cohesive and tightly woven narrative.

In conclusion, ‘1776’ is an engaging and accessible account of one of the most critical years in American history. It balances scholarly rigor with compelling storytelling, making it an excellent read for both history enthusiasts and general readers. McCullough succeeds in taking well-known events and breathing new life into them, reminding readers of the fragility and fortitude behind the American fight for independence. It’s a history book that reads like a novel, filled with tension, drama, and a deep respect for the people who shaped the nation’s early days. Overall I found McCullough’s analysis and viewpoint balanced which I appreciate, this was not a political pamphlet, just good storytelling.

I made it 100 pages in. It was an excellent and thorough look at the start of the Revolutionary War. I just don't currently have the mental capacity. For now I'll just keep learning through picture books as my early elementary kids and I read together.

David McCullough - image from Ohio Magazine

This is an interesting book that describes in personal detail the battles of the early revolution. We see George and company in Boston, New York City, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. McCullough paints portraits of the military leaders of those campaigns, Howe primarily, and Clinton for the Brits, Greene, Knox, GW and a handful of others for the Yanks. He shows us some of GW’s correspondence and we learn of his disaffection for New Englanders. The troops were a rag tag bunch and George was constantly strained to keep them from running away, serving out their enlistments and going home, dying of various diseases. I did not have much of a sense of how much Tory sympathy there was until reading this. If Edward R. Murrow was still about I suppose it would have made a pretty fair episode of “You are There.” It was an entertaining as well as informative read.