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1776 Hardcover – Deckle Edge, May 24, 2005

by David McCullough (Author)

4.6 8,868 ratings

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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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Popular Highlights in this book

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War had come on April 19, with the first blood shed at Lexington and Concord near Boston, then savagely on June 17 at Breed’s Hill and Bunker Hill.
Highlighted by 1,410 Kindle readers
Seeing things as they were, and not as he would wish them to be, was one of his salient strengths.
Highlighted by 1,407 Kindle readers
These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.
Highlighted by 1,379 Kindle readers

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Esteemed historian David McCullough covers the military side of the momentous year of 1776 with characteristic insight and a gripping narrative, adding new scholarship and a fresh perspective to the beginning of the American Revolution. It was a turbulent and confusing time. As British and American politicians struggled to reach a compromise, events on the ground escalated until war was inevitable. McCullough writes vividly about the dismal conditions that troops on both sides had to endure, including an unusually harsh winter, and the role that luck and the whims of the weather played in helping the colonial forces hold off the world's greatest army. He also effectively explores the importance of motivation and troop morale--a tie was as good as a win to the Americans, while anything short of overwhelming victory was disheartening to the British, who expected a swift end to the war. The redcoat retreat from Boston, for example, was particularly humiliating for the British, while the minor American victory at Trenton was magnified despite its limited strategic importance.

Some of the strongest passages in 1776 are the revealing and well-rounded portraits of the Georges on both sides of the Atlantic. King George III, so often portrayed as a bumbling, arrogant fool, is given a more thoughtful treatment by McCullough, who shows that the king considered the colonists to be petulant subjects without legitimate grievances--an attitude that led him to underestimate the will and capabilities of the Americans. At times he seems shocked that war was even necessary. The great Washington lives up to his considerable reputation in these pages, and McCullough relies on private correspondence to balance the man and the myth, revealing how deeply concerned Washington was about the Americans' chances for victory, despite his public optimism. Perhaps more than any other man, he realized how fortunate they were to merely survive the year, and he willingly lays the responsibility for their good fortune in the hands of God rather than his own. Enthralling and superbly written, 1776 is the work of a master historian. --Shawn Carkonen

The Other 1776

With his riveting, enlightening accounts of subjects from Johnstown Flood to John Adams, David McCullough has become the historian that Americans look to most to tell us our own story. In his Amazon.com interview, McCullough explains why he turned in his new book from the political battles of the Revolution to the battles on the ground, and he marvels at some of his favorite young citizen soldiers who fought alongside the remarkable General Washington.

The Essential David McCullough
John Adams
Truman
Mornings on Horseback
The Path Between the Seas
The Great Bridge
The Johnstown Flood

More Reading on the Revolution
The Great Improvisation by Stacy Schiff
Washington's Crossing by David Hackett Fischer
His Excellency: George Washington by Joseph J. Ellis
Washington's General by Terry Golway
Iron Tears by Stanley Weintraub
Victory at Yorktown by Richard M. Ketchum

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. Bestselling historian and two-time Pulitzer winner McCullough follows up John Adams by staying with America's founding, focusing on a year rather than an individual: a momentous 12 months in the fight for independence. How did a group of ragtag farmers defeat the world's greatest empire? As McCullough vividly shows, they did it with a great deal of suffering, determination, ingenuity—and, the author notes, luck.Although brief by McCullough's standards, 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. Throughout, McCullough deftly captures both sides of the conflict. The British commander, Lord General Howe, perhaps not fully accepting that the rebellion could succeed, underestimated the Americans' ingenuity. In turn, the outclassed Americans used the cover of night, surprise and an abiding hunger for victory to astonishing effect. Henry Knox, for example, trekked 300 miles each way over harsh winter terrain to bring 120,000 pounds of artillery from Fort Ticonderoga to Boston, enabling the Americans, in a stealthy nighttime advance, to seize Dorchester Heights, thus winning the whole city.Luck, McCullough writes, also played into the American cause—a vicious winter storm, for example, stalled a British counterattack at Boston, and twice Washington staged improbable, daring escapes when the war could have been lost. Similarly, McCullough says, the cruel northeaster in which Washington's troops famously crossed the Delaware was both "a blessing and a curse." McCullough keenly renders the harshness of the elements, the rampant disease and the constant supply shortfalls, from gunpowder to food, that affected morale on both sides—and it certainly didn't help the British that it took six weeks to relay news to and from London. Simply put, this is history writing at its best from one of its top practitioners.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From School Library Journal

Adult/High School–McCullough concentrates on George Washington's role in the creation of the Continental Army, starting with his appointment in 1775 to lead the rather amorphous army of the united colonies and continuing through his successes with that army at Trenton and Princeton as 1776 turned into 1777. He introduces readers to the 1776 that Washington experienced: one of continual struggle both to create a working army and to defeat the British. The victories that he met outside Boston were soon followed by defeat and near ruin around New York and gave rise to the realization that 1776 might easily have become the worst year in the history of America. McCullough not only provides readers with some of his best work yet, but also presents an important look at one of the most crucial moments in the history of the United States. Black-and-white and color photos are included.–Ted Westervelt, Library of Congress, Washington, DC
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Bookmarks Magazine

McCulloughs reputation for telling a riveting story stands out in his latest work. The encounters that he examines and details he includes cut to the heart of what made 1776 a pivotal year in world history. His portrait of King George, although brief, goes beyond the superficial sketch of a clueless monarch that many historians usually offer. The author occasionally shows a frustrated and privately doubting Washington somewhat at odds with accepted mythology, but nonetheless burnishes the generals heroic stature. Using Washington to drive the narrative may give some readers an unrealistically narrow view of the Revolution, but critics agree: this is history at its best.

From Booklist

*Starred Review* As the year 1776 began, hostilities between American forces and British regulars, which had begun the preceding April, continued. Yet a full-fledged war for independence was not inevitable. In Parliament, such conciliators as Edmund Burke and Charles Fox attacked government policy as needlessly provocative. In America, many members of the Continental Congress also sought compromise. But the rush of events, especially the ongoing bloodletting, soon drowned out calls for moderation. Pulitzer Prize-winning historian McCullough has provided a stirring account of the year that began with the humiliating British abandonment of Boston and ended with Washington's small but symbolically important triumph at Trenton. In between, McCullough recounts the American disaster at Brooklyn and the demoralizing retreat across New Jersey. He is a gifted writer who enriches his story with ample use of the diaries and correspondence of ordinary soldiers on both sides. Yet it is his portrayals of the two principal antagonists in this struggle that makes this account both engrossing and poignant. George Washington, as expected, is seen here as iron-willed and ambitious, but McCullough also shows him as prone to self-doubt and occasionally in despair over the string of setbacks. George III, contrary to American prejudice and propaganda, is honorable, reasonably intelligent, and sincerely outraged at the ingratitude of some of his American subjects. This is a first-rate historical account, which should appeal to both scholars and general readers. Jay Freeman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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

About the Author

David McCullough (1933–2022) twice received 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 include The Johnstown Flood, The Great Bridge, Brave Companions, 1776, The Greater Journey, The American Spirit, The Wright Brothers, and The Pioneers. He was the recipient of numerous honors and awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian award. Visit DavidMcCullough.com.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

General George Washington crossed the Delaware River with his troops on the way to Trenton, New Jersey. The Hessian regiments, camped in and around Trenton, were attacked and decisively defeated by the American Continental Army. The Hessians had supposedly let their guard down to celebrate the Christmas holiday, and Rall himself was misled by John Honeyman, a spy of Washington who convincingly posed as a loyalist. According to one account, Rall was busy playing cards the night before the attack at the home of Trenton merchant Abraham Hunt when he was handed a note from a local Loyalist who'd seen Washington's forces gathering. He placed the note in his vest without bothering to read it and went back to his card game. The following morning Rall was woken by a junior officer and informed of the attack. Rall took command and ordered a counter-attack by bayonets that was scattered by American sniping and artillery fire. During this action Rall was wounded slightly. The situation deteriorating, and still under fire, Rall ordered his men to withdraw to an orchard at the town's edge. Shortly after, he was wounded a second time, removed to a nearby church, and then to his headquarters. Following the battle both General Washington and General Greene visited Rall at his headquarters, and through an interpreter Rall secured a promise that his captured men would be treated humanely. Rall died the following day, and was buried in the cemetery of the First Presbyterian Church in Trenton on East State Street. The worn inscription on his tombstone reads, "Here lies Colonel Rall, for him, all is over".

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Simon & Schuster; First Edition (May 24, 2005)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 400 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0743226712
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0743226714
Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 1300L
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.72 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.25 x 1.3 x 9.25 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #33,554 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #32 in American Revolution Biographies (Books)
- #51 in U.S. Revolution & Founding History

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4.6 8,868 ratings

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David McCullough has twice received 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 widely praised books are 1776, Brave Companions, The Great Bridge, and The Johnstown Flood. He has been honored with the National Book Foundation Distinguished Contribution to American Letters Award, the National Humanities Medal, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

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M. Connell

A Must Read

Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2024

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This should be required reading in all public High Schools and for anyone wishing to become a citizen. It is an engaging and well researched account of a critical portion of the War for Independence. It helps illuminate the role that God played in the establishment of our country. We could not have become a nation without the help of God.

3 people found this helpful

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Tim Challies

Popular History at it's Best

Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2006

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I have only elementary knowledge of American history. This is shameful, really, as in high school and university I took at least two courses on American history and did quite well in them as memory serves. Still, somehow I have forgotten much that I ought to know. Popular history, books written about periods of the past but written in a narrative fashion rather than as dry history, have proven useful in refreshing my memory. Nathaniel Philbrick's Mayflower reminded me of the first days of the American colonies, and I have followed that with David McCullough's 1776 which tells the story of what is easily the most pivotal, important year in America's long and storied history.

Though it takes place during the war for independence, and though it concerns that conflict, 1776 is not a history of the war. Rather, it deals with a small slice of the wider campaign. Yet this year, being so pivotal, mirrors the course of the war, for it began with defeat and retreat, but ended with great victories. Though the American forces managed to avoid full-scale battles, they showed their commitment to the ideals of independence through a series of smaller but still important battles.

The book begins in England near the close of 1775. George III, King of England, stands before Parliament and declares the colonies to be in rebellion. "I need not dwell upon the fatal effects of such a plan. The object is too important, the spirit of the British nation too high, the resources with which God hath blessed her too numerous, to give up so many colonies which she has planted with great industry, nursed with great tenderness, encouraged with many commercial advantages, and protected and defended at much expense of blood and treasure." And so he committed his forces to furthering the conflict and to crushing the opposition.

The closing pages of the book relay King George's words at the opening of the next year's Parliament. "Nothing could have afforded me so much satisfaction as to have been able to inform you ... that my unhappy people [in America], recovered from their delusion, had delivered themselves from the oppression of their leaders and returned to their duty. But so daring and desperate is the spirit of those leaders, whose object has always been dominion and power, that they have now openly renounced all allegiance to the Crown, and all political connection with this country ... and have presumed to set up their rebellious confederacies for independent states. If their treason be suffered to take root, much mischief must grow from it." The war was not over and there would be much blood still to shed.

Because of the narrow scope of the book, the narrative does not extend to the close of the war. Do the Americans win the war, or are they driven further and further west until they have to admit defeat? Do the British eventually cut their losses and give up on their colony, or do they own them still? And what happened to George Washington? Did the legend of the man extend past 1776 or were his best days already behind him? While these answers are obvious, I almost wished that the book had continued, at least to summarize the remaining years of the war. But, of course, this would defeat the purpose of writing a book with the limited objective of covering a single year.

1776 is popular history at its best. It is easy to read, yet filled with information. It tells the story of an important period of time in a way that is accessible to those who may not wish to read a scholarly treatment of the same material. It is long enough to be thorough, but short enough to avoid being overwhelming. It is good to see both Mayflower and 1776 on the bestseller lists at the same time. Both deserve the honor; both are worthy of a spot in your library.

29 people found this helpful

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JR

Good read

Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2024

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The book was interesting not my favorite time for history but it was a good read.

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Northeast Ohio

quite a refreshing take on the history of the American revolution

Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2024

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Studying American history in high school, and even in college, you get the impression that without the French, the American effort would have been lost. David McCullough clearly points out that with all the failures and mistakes on the American side, they were simply not going to be defeated, or go down to defeat easily. This book brings to life the daily struggle during 1776 as the undisciplined Americans continued to surprise the British with unmatched tenacity and determination. I only wish , but with words, the author does paint a sufficient picture.

2 people found this helpful

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Colorado Engineer

Leadership Perspective for the Millennial Age

Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2022

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EXCELLENT BOOK! Here are my take-aways. Detailed comments include context in the attached photos.
First leadership take-away: Leadership Despair. Project execution requires loyalty and faithfulness… yet, some troops didn’t care, or worse they purposely screwed it up or poisoned the water by sowing discord amongst troops. General Washington could encourage people, but he could not control their attitude. Washington turned to a home improvement project where he had control. This was how he kept sane knowing full well the sovereignty of our country was at stake.
Second leadership take-away: Leadership styles must be tailored for certain group types. Examples:
• Lead from the front --- required for inexperienced groups (perhaps for millennials)… in a business, or for the Revolutionary War!
• Manage capabilities (lead from behind as a driver) --- needed for groups who are self-reliant and are able to manage technically, but the business or mission strategy needs full time leadership especially when stakeholder connections are important.
• Be an advisor --- needed when the business or mission has a leader and could be performing well (or not), and the expertise of a seasoned consultant is needed for greater impact.

A leader that encourages a team from the front, is a leader that imparts a vision while standing should-to-shoulder during the fight. Washington rallied his troops for the sake of their country.
In today’s work environment, the work ethic is characterized by electronics and button-pushing. In this book, the younger generation lacked the warrior ethos or the drive to soldier it alone. General Washington recognized ineptitude as a result of people “unused to restraint”. The Continental Army seemed to be a dysfunctional group of farmers. Somehow, fighting for freedom may have been an ideal, but seemingly not a strong determination. In the words of Washington, a special kind of leadership was required. As he stated, “A people unused to restraint must be led, they will not be drove.”
While Washington was criticized for his leadership failures, this book helps the reader to understand Washington may have been the best leader. Maximum success was achieved for the farmer soldiers of the Continental Army.

12 people found this helpful

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" La mayor Maestría, Dominarse a Si Mismo ". Leonardo da Vinci

Gran libro.

Reviewed in Mexico on April 27, 2024

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Gran libro relacionado con la Historia de EUA. Llegó rápido y en excelente estado. gracias

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Livio

Eccezionale

Reviewed in Italy on May 6, 2023

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McCullough non si smentisce.
È uno dei migliori.
Descrizioni accurate, ricostruzioni degli eventi infarcite dei sentimenti, delle ansie e frustrazioni dei protagonisti davvero affascinanti.
La ricostruzione della battaglia di Trenton, epica.
Da non perdere.

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Aditya Ganjoo

Highly engaging and honest but abrupt

Reviewed in India on April 25, 2023

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Positives:
1. Highly engaging. Very hard to put the book down
2. Seems to be an honest narrative. It does not talk only about the glories of Gen Washington and his men, but also of the troubles they were plagued with - diseases, desertion and destitution

Negative (Spoiler - some may consider):
Abrupt start and end. Starts right after the battle of Bunker Hill and ends somewhere in the middle of the war. No context setting whatsoever, and a hasty conclusion. Rather than being a narrative of the American Revolution, it is only about the events of 1776.

Positives strongly outweight the negative. Thus, no star deducted.

JC

L’indépendance chèrement conquise

Reviewed in France on January 17, 2023

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Quelle aventure : une armée qui n’en est pas une victorieuse à deux reprises d’un adversaire puissant et bien organisé. Et un chef qui, malgré quelques indécisions, remporte les victoires décisives.

Dommage que le livre s’arrête avant la bataille de Yorktown.

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Amazon Customer

A year in the life of a revolution

Reviewed in Germany on August 11, 2020

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This book doesn't take us from start to finish of the revolution but selects a pivotal year, one which encapsulates all the issues faced in the struggle for independence. This is a fascinating look at the characters involved and the issues and hardships faced, in a very real and human way. I found it an easy read but also a very eye-opening and enlightening one at the same time.

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