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.
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"For me, one of the most important things that I can do as a history teacher is make sure that students see our forefathers as real people. It's common to get all the way through your formal education without ever hearing anything negative about our founders, which in turn makes their accomplishments seem unattainable to the average teenager. Inspiration comes from the acts of real people, not Greek Gods. The author of 1776 does an amazing job of not only pointing out the tactical disadvantages American leaders had to overcome, but also the flaws in their personality traits, their character, and their judgment. He honors their accomplishments without making deities out of them by giving a gritty look in to the blue-print for their successes. I've never had a better appreciation for what Washington and his troops did. A must read for history/revolutionary war buffs."
— Blake (4 out of 5 stars)
“This is a narrative tour de force, exhibiting all the hallmarks the author is known for: fascinating subject matter, expert research and detailed, graceful prose...Simply put, this is history writing at its best from one of its top practitioners.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review)This is a narrative tour de force, exhibiting all the hallmarks the author is known for: fascinating subject matter, expert research and detailed, graceful prose. ...Simply put, this is history writing at its best from one of its top practitioners." -- Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
A master story-teller's character driven account of a storied year in the American Revolution. A sterling account." -- Kirkus, Starred Review
...McCullough brilliantly captures the Spirit of '76 in Washington's miraculous victories at Trenton and Princeton. An altogether marvelous contribution that deserves to be read by every American." -- Library Journal
“Fluent and engaging...McCullough’s brilliant work is a model for us all. In his unrivaled mastery of one part of the historian’s task, we are all his students.”
— Boston Globe“An engaging study.”
— Wall Street Journal“A classic—brilliantly written, scrupulously researched, tremendously informative, and endlessly entertaining...With 1776, David McCullough has added another masterwork to his collection, one that is both informative and inspiring.”
— Philadelphia Inquirer“One of the most compelling nonfiction works McCullough has written and should be required reading in living rooms from coast to coast.”
— Denver Post“A master storyteller’s character driven account of a storied year in the American Revolution. A sterling account.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review)“McCullough brilliantly captures...Washington’s miraculous victories at Trenton and Princeton. An altogether marvelous contribution that deserves to be read by every American.”
— Library Journal" Made me want to re-visit NY/NJ area with a different perspective. "
— Doris, 2/18/2014" Excellent book about the year the War finally turned in the U.S.'s favor. "
— James, 2/6/2014" Excellent. I just wish it had kept going . . . "
— Katya, 1/11/2014" One of the most thought-provoking books I've ever read. I don't think we realize (and subsequently take for granted) the fragile thing the American Revolution was. The sheer brashness of it, the set-backs, the over-whelming odds. Also, this book made me ponder about the Royalists and their plight. I thought long and hard about just where I would or could have been on the idea of revolution. It also helped me see how amazing a man John Adams was and how I want an Abigail Adams of my very own someday :) "
— Ian, 1/7/2014" This is not your typical history book. Staying true to the story of America's beginnings, McCullough makes history accessible and entertaining to everyone. I love history, but had never spent much time studying the American Revolution. This book sparked that interest for me, and opened me up to learning even more. "
— Leigh, 1/1/2014" A true classic. McCullough doesn't sugarcoat how pathetic the colonial army was...and it makes you love their grit even more! A really enlightening and inspiring read. "
— Kurt, 12/31/2013" It was amazing how he brought American history to a more personal level than I have ever known. "
— Heather, 12/12/2013" Wonderful book! I wished it were longer. "
— Deborah, 11/23/2013" Interesting review of the first year of the Revolution. Interesting to read Washington 's feeling about the uncouth farmer solider but how they won his respect. The tale of the Loyalists as they remained in the ships in port. The ability together to the Hessians is also informative. "
— Marilyn, 11/11/2013" As one critic stated, you're drawn in and are busy turning pages even though we know how it turned out. McCullough is an excellent historian, helping you look back over 200 years to the actual conditions. "
— Becky, 11/11/2013" one of his best books, i think "
— Mara, 11/3/2013" Would've given it a 4, but it ended too abruptly I was left pining for 1777. "
— Rachael, 8/2/2013" Amazing. We almost weren't a nation. "
— McLaren, 7/14/2013" If you like historical novels, this is the one to read. Hard to believe we're a United States at all after reading about all the heart-breaking losses to the British. First part is slow, but as soon as the battles start, the book moves along at a fine pace. "
— Bradley, 2/26/2013" I've decided to put this one on hold for now. Just not getting anywhere with it, so I'll see if I can motivate myself to pick it up later. "
— Therese, 2/8/2013" It wasn't what I expected, but by the time I realized it, I couldn't put it down. "
— Megs, 1/17/2013" I just loved the numerous quotes from Washington's letters and journals. Also from Greene and Knox's. "
— D., 7/3/2012" There were parts of this that I really enjoyed however there seemed to be some poor transitions between events. But a decent book. "
— Tyler, 6/9/2012" I read this book and McCullough's "John Adams" before a vacation to Washington DC and other historic sites in the East. It made the things I saw there even more meaningful because of what I learned from these well-written books. I have a whole new appreciation for America's history. "
— BritGirl, 3/27/2012" I really liked the focus on just one year of the Revolution. I found McCoullough to be an apt storyteller and the book was well-researched. "
— Meg, 11/14/2011" Competent, well-executed, but unexciting history of the American Revolution. Suffers some from the rather arbitrary focus on a single calendar year, but does a good job of indicating just how remarkable the survival of the Continental army was. "
— Rob, 9/13/2011" Entertaining AND Educational; I love multi-tasking. "
— Allison, 6/30/2011" I'm not usually a non-fiction type of person but this was riveting. Also it was horrifying and inspiring. I loved the details about the real people involved, especially Washington. With such a beginning, it is hard to believe they actually pulled it off in the end (way after this book)... "
— Erin, 6/24/2011" Such a great book. This is a 'must read' for anyone with ANY interest in U.S. History. "
— Jen, 6/23/2011" This should be a must read for every American. My appreciation for George Washington is so much greater after having read this book. "
— Carol, 6/22/2011" I learned alot about the American Revolution (at least one year of it). "
— Amy, 6/16/2011" Totally interesting. I realized I knew nothing about the Revolutionary War. This book also makes it clear that it's essentially a miracle that we weren't clobbered by the British early in the conflict. "
— April, 6/15/2011" I appreciate the suffering of the American "Yankee Doodle" Army more. It is a pretty big bummer to get to the end though and realize that there were 6 more years and you've just got to find another book to read to cover them... "
— Jackie, 6/10/2011" Historical fiction. Tells the story of the Revolutionary War combining real characters and fictional characters. "
— Ashley, 6/9/2011" A very easy read for being a documentory. McCullough is so far my favorite historian. This was not my favorite book he has done but would recomend it to anybody. "
— Cameron, 6/8/2011" Good book. It was, however, a little frustrating to get to the end and realize that it was the end--i.e., I would have liked for this book to treat the <em>entire</em> history of the Revolutionary War, and not the literal year 1776. "
— Ian, 6/7/2011" Competent, well-executed, but unexciting history of the American Revolution. Suffers some from the rather arbitrary focus on a single calendar year, but does a good job of indicating just how remarkable the survival of the Continental army was. "
— Rob, 6/5/2011David McCullough (1933-2022), acclaimed historian and #1 New York Times bestselling author, twice won the Pulitzer Prize, for Truman and John Adams, and twice received the National Book Award, for The Path between the Seas and Mornings on Horseback. His other acclaimed books are 1776, Brave Companions, The Johnstown Flood, The Great Bridge, The Greater Journey, and The Wright Brothers. He was awarded numerous honors and awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian award, and more than forty honorary degrees. In 1995, the National Book Foundation conferred on him its lifetime Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters.