I never thought I would ever finish this one. I'm not sure what caused me to delay picking it up each day or what kept me from being more interested. It is one of the parts of American history that I sadly admit to not being very well versed. I really would like to change that as the Revolutionary war ought to be at the forefront of what we, Americans, know about our heritage. It's definitely going to take more than a class in elementary school to spur on the younger generations to learn about their country and how it came to be free. This is what patriotism is all about and it is ever lacking today. This was my first time reading McCullough's work and maybe this one isn't his best. It will be some time before I decide to pick up another, but I will give him another shot. It was very extensively researched with so many documents and letters to draw from. Maybe I wanted more than just the one year highlighted, 1776. It reads like a story of the underdogs fighting against all odds to find their way against a very powerful and vast enemy. How the newly declared independent Americans ever found their footing and won this war, is truly remarkable based on descriptions here of how little training, supplies, and weapons they actually had.

"1776" is an interesting narrative covering the Revolutionary War from the Siege of Boston in late 1775, through the British victories in New York, to the successful American battles in windy, snowy weather in New Jersey. The war did not end until 1783, so this book only covers the historic year when the Declaration of Independence was signed.

It's a joy to read David McCullough's writing because he makes the historical figures seem so real with their strengths and flaws. The book is well-researched with many quotations from primary sources. "1776" concentrates on the military situation since McCullough wrote more about the politics of the time in another book.

The American army looked like a ragtag group of volunteers who had insufficient training, clothing, food, and weapons, but possessed ingenuity and spirit. The professional British troops (with the paid Hessians) had better training, good uniforms, and more weapons. The British also had the finest navy in the world which was especially advantageous in New York City which is surrounded on three sides by water.

The book included many illustrations of the main players of 1776, both American and British. Three period maps were also included, but some of the small print was difficult to read. Since I'm from the northeast, I was familiar with Boston, New York, and New Jersey. A reader from another country might want to find maps online to use with McCullough's excellent military descriptions. Overall, this was an engaging, well-written book.

How did a group of farmers beat the English Empire? Through blood, sweat and tears. Noted American Historian, David McCullough, beautifully tells the story of the birth of the United States of America. He takes just one year in the American Revolution to tell how both sides of the war felt and thought. He shows how King George III thought of the Colonists as petulant children who did not have any legitimate complaints. He showed how George Washington was worried about the chance of Victory for the Colonists despite how optimistic he appeared in public. Both larger than live leaders, on either sides of the Atlantic, are shown as human. One thought he would easily win (King George III) and one had doubts (George Washington) as he held the fate of the Colonies in his hands. There is a lot of historical information given as one would expect from such a book. Battles I had never heard of were discussed in detail. McCullough excels in doing his research and writing about history in such a riveting manner. The harsh elements, spread of disease, the battles, lack of supplies, and the horrors of battle are vivid and powerful. David McCullough is a gifted writer who does not disappoint.

Highly recommend!

See more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com

This is the first book of the nine I have read by David McCullough that I have not given either a four or five star rating. Three stars is a book I like but I do not think it compares well to his other books.

It isn't comprehensive enough. Why does he cover only the first year of the Revolutionary War? There is no explanation given. It actually starts with the Siege of Boston in the fall of 1775, yet it does not cover Bunker Hill or the Battle of Lexington which occurred earlier in the same year. We are delivered a snapshot, albeit a moving, well-told and accurate portrayal of the war's first year, but only the first year. It is a year of struggle and hardship and a battle against impossible odds. Ill-equipped, without adequate funds from Congress and a scarcity of trained officers, how could one successfully fight the British navy, army and hired mercenaries? George Washington, leader of the Continental Army, is perceptively portrayed, as well as the patriots Nathaniel Greene and Henry Knox. Washington's perseverance is what shines through. It is these three men that get the largest attention of the figures mentioned. The book reads as a mini-portrait of these three men during one year and a suite of battles. First the Siege of Boston. In New York the Battle of Brooklyn Heights, Kip's Bay, Harlem Heights followed by White Plains, all of which were lost during the three month period August through October of 1776. Fort Washington was surrendered in November, followed by the fall of Fort Lee without a fight. Enlistments expired. Men were without training, gunpowder, arms or even shoes. Filth and disease were the norm. Only finally at Trenton in New Jersey on December 26, 1976 was there a significant win. While McCullough does a good job of describing the conditions and the logistics of the battles, I’ll have to admit that battles are simply not my cup of tea.

The author reads his own audiobook. His voice is rather turbid, the effect being that occasionally I had difficulty hearing precisely what was said. The speed is slow, and I appreciated this. I liked how he read the quotes. Through his inflection the listener can hear exactly why he chose the quotes he did; through his intonation one understand their relevance and they do not sound dated. Few authors can read their own books as well as McCullough does. I would not avoid the audiobook because he has chosen to read it himself.

However, I must point out that it is very helpful to have maps. There are no PDF files accompanying this audiobook. I looked at maps in another book which I have - The American Revolution by Bruce Lancaster. This book follows the entire war from start to finish, from Lexington to Yorktown. For a book on George Washington I can recommend Washington: A Life by Ron Chernow.

I wanted more.

Instead of writing about one specific person, event, or group, the author traced the entire year of 1776 in revolutionary America. I came away from reading this believing that 1) the United States was extremely lucky to have survived the year, 2) George Washington wasn't a very good strategist or field commander, and 3) George Washington had extraordinary stamina and a profound belief that the fight was worth the suffering.

When I was in grammar school, I looked at the painting of Washington crossing the Delaware and wondered why George Washington was standing up in a boat. I was never taught why he was crossing the Delaware. Even later, in high school, the American Revolution was neatly arranged this way: Mean King, Boston Tea Party, George Washington crosses the Delaware, Cornwallis surrenders at Yorktown. My textbook never took me THERE. Mr. McCullough took me there and guided me through all the action as if in a time machine with a man who somehow understood every working part of America's war for independence.

A brilliant book describing the first year of the war of Independence between the Americans and the British. A lot concerns the leadership of Washington - his brilliance and his indecision and his faults. The British used great tactics in pursuing Washington but how they stopped short of defeating him several times. A must read for history buffs.

It is obvious from the title, that McCullough will be describing the Revolutionary war events and participants that occurred in that year.

But at the start of the book, it is Oct 26, 1775. We meet King George III. He is in full royal regalia riding in his ornate coach to discuss the colonials at the House of Lords. The king’s attire was usually much less ornate. Rather than dalliance at court, he preferred a farmer’s life at Windsor and the company of his plain wife, to whom he was faithful.
My take-away from Chapter 1: George is described in a sympathetic manner. Not usually what I have read about this King.

In Chapter 2, we meet General Nathaneal Greene, Colonel Henry Knox, and the most important in this war, General George Washington. Greene and Knox are the most 'war-experienced'. Even Washington has less. But the Continental Congress sees in Washington a man with strength, fortitude, and wealth. His men looked up to him. This chapter devotes considerable time to George Washington, explaining his modest background and subsequent ascent through the social and political ranks. He was a remarkable man for being such an unremarkable man.

In Chapter 3, British commanders Howe and Gage debate their strategy for taking Boston. The British had won the battle of Bunker Hill, but at a great cost in lives. This chapter chronicles the siege of Dorchester Heights. The Colonials had the upper hand here; they were on the Heights, the British below. The British had to retreat, taking the loyalists of Boston with them.

Chapter 4: New York City is considered vital to the whole continent and should be protected. So, off the Continental Army goes, marching through MA, RI, and CT. They arrive in NYC in early April. For four months, both sides planned their efforts.

Chapter 5: In August, the battle occurred.

Washington could only watch the slaughter. The battle covered six miles and was the largest yet held on American soil. It lasted six hours, and the Continental Army was routed. After several false reports, Washington reported to the Continental Congress that 300 soldiers had died but 1,000 were taken prisoner.

August 29 – army retreated

Though some criticized Howe for not pursuing the “Sons of Liberty” and finishing them off, most only found cause for rejoicing.

This chapter is also notable for its more critical view of Washington’s military leadership. His forces were ill-prepared for the conflict, lacked proper support in the form of cavalry, failed to defend key positions, and made a hasty retreat that could have proved quite costly, given the manipulative way Washington organized this withdrawal. The text all but lambasts Washington for this defeat, the most humiliating failure thus far in the war.

Chapter 6

The British accused the rebels of starting the fire, which burned 500 homes, but none could ever prove it was arson.

The Continental Army retreated to White Plains. A battle ensued at Harlem Heights won by the Continental Army. A decision was made to defend Fort Washington. Washington had deferred to Nathanael Greene, though Greene had not yet fought or won a battle. Despite Greene’s keen acumen, his choice to defend Fort Washington proved disastrous, as every soldier stationed there was killed or captured, earning the colonists yet another crushing defeat in New York.

Chapter 6 is one of two places where McCullough relates a fable—something that could be true but probably is not. In all other places, he sticks strictly to documentable history. Both the legends recounted here describe women on the battlefield, including one who supposedly delayed the British by inviting Howe to tea, and one who volunteered to take her wounded husband’s place. These accounts offer a different depiction of women, since most others in the text are viewed through a one-dimensional lens as wives, mothers, daughters, or women of ill repute.

King George - Whether he was truly the tyrant traditionally depicted in American history books or just a simple old man who could not fathom anyone defecting the British Empire is not clear.

Chapter 7

This chapter describes the months leading to Washington's famous Crossing the Delaware. There they defeated the Hessian army and later Cornwallis. The tide of the war started to turn.

Final thoughts

McCullough clearly wonders how this group of rag-tag men could defeat Europe's best. David McCullough ultimately argues that the true miracle of this war was how these commanders and these men managed to do so much with so little.

The book reads well, almost like a novel.

Recommend to anyone who enjoys reading about and understanding American history.

4 stars

McCullough’s ‘1776’ is a book about discovery: the force within oneself, one body of people, to be free without the anxiety of what it means to govern themselves independently.

Democracy was what they yearned for. The majority of the American people wanted to unite and unite they did. McCullough discusses the trials and tribulations of the first full year of the American Revolutionary War in the north to northeastern part of the colonies with clear and concise language. He uses many quotes and phrases from a myriad of source material and in a way that puts the reader in the streets of Boston, on the battlefields of Trenton and Princeton and in the heart of the early Patriot; that rag-tag farmer, blacksmith, carpenter and other highly inexperienced soldiers that fought and died for the Glorious Cause.

As this book speaks about 1776 in general, it also discusses George Washington, the General of the Continental Army (the name of the American army) and later, founding father and first President of the United States. McCullough isn’t biased, by any means. He shows Washington’s ability to lead an army with his optimism towards the campaign and his uplifting oratory on topics of freedom, but also shows him to be indecisive in matters (as with giving up Fort Washington and Fort Lee, along with not covering the Jamaica Pass in the Battle of Long Island which was a decisive victory for the British) due to his inexperience at leading any army, much less a battalion.

At times, it feels like a biography of Washington and that year of his life rather than about the battles and the importance of what they signified, but it was still an interesting and engaging read. I personally hadn’t read up on the ‘Revolution’ since my early years in school and it was nice to revisit things that I had forgotten and learned a few things as well.

I learned SO MUCH about the Revolutionary War from this book! But that's the point of reading books by David McCullough - he did the research and found the facts and knit them all together in a readable narrative, and all I have to do is read his books and learn from them. He was truly one of the greatest writers of the last century, maybe one of the top ten. He brought American history into the lives of 21st century readers and armchair travelers. This is the third book I've read by him and hopefully it will not be the last.

So, back to the topic: General Washington and his grand endeavor to free the American states from the rule and taxation of the British government. The book chronicles only one year of the war, 1776. It is considered the founding year of our country because the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4. The war was already in progress. It started April 19, 1775 and lasted until September 3, 1783.

1776 was a decisive year. It started with General Washington and an army of questionable soundness encamped just west of Boston which was occupied by the British. There were many problems with the army including that the men were often extremely sick and unable to fight. By the end of the year the army seemed dedicated to the cause but again in very bad shape, some even marching to battle on icy roads with no shoes. It is to these men that we owe a huge debt of gratitude because despite all the hardships, they persevered! Amazing!

I liked reading the book because I learned more about the people involved in the battles - both the Americans and the British. I learned what kinds of hardships the Americans endured to bring this country its independence. There's so much in this book worthy of note that I really knew nothing about before. Thinking back to what I learned about the Revolutionary War in high school I see now that what I thought it was, it wasn't. And what it was, was amazing. The battles, the retreats, the unexpected attacks, the decisions General Washington had to make - they are all detailed in this book.

Anyhow, I'm glad I read it and my only question now is: What David McCullough book do I want to read next?

Lively, engaging narrative of a crucial year (perhaps the crucial year) in America's struggle for independence. While McCullough isn't the most scholarly of historian, his briskly accessible writing style compensates, crafting a vivid pen portrait of America's political birth and defining military struggles. This is no Revolutionary hagiography; his George Washington appears as an incompetent, unseasoned general forced to learn the hard way that he can't beat the British in large-scale, head-to-head combat; McCullough's graphic depiction of the Battle of Long Island forms the book's centerpiece. And while McCullough's sympathies undoubtedly lie with the patriots, determined and idealistic though hard-scrabble as they are, he devotes ample space to British political and military machinations as well; particularly compelling is his treatment of William Howe, a brilliant strategist but a lazy tactician whose contempt for the Americans and faulty execution prevent him from winning a truly decisive, war-ending victory...and allows Washington a chance for a minor but dramatic victory at Trenton to redeem a miserable year. Popular military history at its best.

McCullough is not a very good prose writer. Faulkner would have trouble parsing some of his sentences. Also, he's apparently never heard of parallel construction. However, he knows how to cull facts and construct a compelling story. He starts off with King George III giving a speech full of arrogance and bluster that only a British monarch could muster--or possibly a professional wrestler. He ends the book with King George III giving a speech with a more chastened tone. In between Washington takes Boston, gets his wooden teeth kicked in in New York, and comes back Rocky-style in New Jersey. A fascinating history, but I found myself, especially during the battle and marching scenes, wishing McCullough (or his publisher) had included more maps. This book only contains three facsimiles of maps which were drawn in 1776. They were mostly useless.