1776, David McCullough

In the annals of American history one year stands out among all others — 1776. David McCullough's book,  1776 is a narrative history of that pivotal year. It is the history of the nation but the nascent nation was the Continental Army at that time.

The disoriented author bought McCullough's book thinking that it was a biography of George Washington. In the strictest terms it is not. But Washington is the focal point of this story. As the leader of the Continental Army and the very personification of the Revolution, Washington permeates every page of the book.

This book starts with the early Continental victories at Bunker Hill (Breeds Hill), and the brilliant siege of Boston through the defeats at Long Island and New York culminating in the famous crossing of the Delaware and the surrender of the Hessians at Trenton.

As I find myself more and more involved in politics and the future of our nation — I feel it necessary to learn more about our past.

McCullough's book reads like a timeline starting in January and chronicling the victory in Boston to the low point of the defeats in Long Island and Manhattan to the crossing of the Delaware and the surrender of the Hessians at Trenton.

Though the Revolution would continue for six more years it was really decided in 1776.

This book painted a vivid picture of Washington's General Staff. I was fascinated by the Henry Knox's audacity in bringing down the cannon from Fort Ticonderoga. Knox was brilliant and their use in eradicating the British from Boston was masterful.

The book also detailed many of the armies failures especially failures in strategy by General Washington. The battle of Long Island was a singular disaster. The only saving grace was that the brothers Howe (British General and Admiral Howe) failed to prevent the nighttime escape of the army to Manhattan.

We see in the book how desperate things got with enlistments ending and desertion running high. The army was running out of everything from clothing to gunpowder. Yet through it all George Washington held it together sometimes through nothing more than sheer force of will.

As a general, Washington was not the best strategist or tactician. He had little military experience (including a memorable defeat). He had never held a large command. But at that critical juncture, he provided for the Continental Army and the Nation exactly what was necessary — leadership.

1776 is an excellent book giving great insight into the nation and the man who for that year were one and the same.

1776 gets 5 of 5 dis-oriented smileys

Purchase 1776 from Amazon.com.