America’s beloved and distinguished historian presents, in a book of breathtaking excitement, drama, and narrative force, the stirring story of the year of our nation’s birth, 1776, interweaving, on both sides of the Atlantic, the actions and decisions that led Great Britain to undertake a war against her rebellious colonial subjects and that placed America’s survival in the hands of George … Washington.
In this masterful book, David McCullough tells the intensely human story of those who marched with General George Washington in the year of the Declaration of Independence–when the whole American cause was riding on their success, without which all hope for independence would have been dashed and the noble ideals of the Declaration would have amounted to little more than words on paper.
Based on extensive research in both American and British archives, 1776 is a powerful drama written with extraordinary narrative vitality. It is the story of Americans in the ranks, men of every shape, size, and color, farmers, schoolteachers, shoemakers, no-accounts, and mere boys turned soldiers. And it is the story of the King’s men, the British commander, William Howe, and his highly disciplined redcoats who looked on their rebel foes with contempt and fought with a valor too little known.
Written as a companion work to his celebrated biography of John Adams, David McCullough’s 1776 is another landmark in the literature of American history.more
One of the best historical writers of our time and he delivered with this book.
McCullough takes the story we know and turns it into a page turner/cliffhanger. A must-read.
The best!
The beginnings of our Independence!! Was so depressed at the end because it felt like we were doomed, but the telling of it was so real…if you enjoy American History, you will LOVE this book.
Excellent book. I love his historical books.
Great history book!
well researched. easier to read than to listen to (I have both the book & the audio version) because I needed to frequently reference the maps to better visualize the positions of the British and of the colonists. amazed by the sheer luck that helped the colonists to eventually win.
No author puts you in the time and place of history like McCullough!
Excellent presentation of historical facts. McCullough has a story-teller’s gift of bringing the past to life and making it relevant in today’s world.
The best history writer of his time. His stories are factual, totally accurate, makes individuals in the past seem totally intriguing and relevant to today’s events; a writer I would love to have dinner with.
I enjoyed learning about the year of 1776. Great read.
McCullough is one of our country’s greatest history story tellers. And this book is no exception. He brings the founders to life, and off of any pedestals others may have built under them. Yes they thought some great thoughts, but McCullough shows they wrestled with real issues of their times, too.
As usual, David McCullough brings our history to life. In all of his works, he manages to entertain and educate
It doesn’t get any better. McCullough produced a real winner here.
A great lesson in the history of our nation. I would recommend this book to everyone. Very inspiring
This is the standard for all American Revolution histories. Factual material interwoven with good analysis of the characters involved in this amazing period of US history.
David M….really does his research and brings to the page a tale of history that is relatable to the reader. Have read many of his books and have loved every one.
It helped fill in gaps in my understanding of US History. It was well thought through and didn’t contain extraneous or speculative writing but sought to inform and allow me the space to decide what conclusions I would draw.
I really liked it. It was fast and interesting.
If you like David McCullough’s writing style, you shouldl be delighted by this book. It is thoroughly researched and documented — the way history should be written.