Sunday, February 07, 2010

12. 1776 by David McCullough

The fact that this book was written by David McCullough is the only reason I could be induced into reading yet another book about the Revolutionary War.  I would love to read a biography of George Washington, but I don't think I can face all that war information.  I'm just not interested in the campaigns, strategies, and details of battle.  Even so, I'm giving this book a pretty good rating because McCullough makes the battles almost interesting and the rest of the history of this pivotal year is fascinating.  I love how he includes the thoughts of King George and the leaders of Great Britain as they discuss those pesky colonies.  It really makes you think about what the other side felt about such disloyalty.  The author also includes journal entries written by soldiers from all walks of life, misspellings and all.  It's also the first time I really felt that Washington was not the infallible genius we are led to believe.  How they won the war after the debacle on New York Island (Manhattan) is amazing.  So he did make some huge mistakes but he learned and grew from them and became so much more.  What McCullough really shows so well is how fantastic it was that the Continental Army was able to be victorious against the mightiest army and navy on the earth as he writes in the final paragraph:
"The year 1776, celebrated as the birth year of the nation and for the signing of the Decaration of Independence, was for those who carried the fight for independence forward a year of all-too-few victories, of sustained suffering, disease, hunger, desertion, cowardice, disillusionment, defeat, terrible discouragement, and fear, as they would never forget, but also of phenomenal courage and bedrock devotion to country, and that, too, they would never forget.  Especially for those who had been with Washington and who knew what a close call it was at the beginning -- how often circumstances, storms, contrary winds, the oddities or strengths of individual character had made the difference -- the outcome seemed little short of a miracle."
Of course, I have a firm belief that God played a huge part in the creation of this nation; but then why did he make it so hard and allow so much suffering?  Probably so that when we look back over the years to those struggles and sacrifices, we won't take for granted what those patriots did that allows us the freedoms we enjoy so much and that established this country on such a good foundation.   Rating:  4.25

CATCH UP CHALLENGE

8 comments:

  1. His Excellency: George Washington by Joseph Elis was a good bio. It focusses on the man as much as it did battles. I enjoyed McCullough's John Adams (Sr) bio and I've been wanting to read 1776 but wanted to hear how it is. Thanks!

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  2. I haven't read a McCullough book yet, but want to...they all look so inviting. I'd probably start with Truman.

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  3. Chelle, Thanks for the suggestion. I've been thinking about getting Martha's biography but this one looks good also.

    Bybee, I thought Truman was wonderful and John Adams also. But then The Path Between the Seas was so fascinating. Those are the three I had already read and I recommend them all. He just makes history come alive.

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  4. This is yet another McCullough book on my TBR list. Some day I plan to sit down and read them! They are worth the effort. Thanks for the review.

    Btw, have you seen the John Adams HBO miniseries? On the DVD there's a 20 minute interview with McCullough. It was fascinating!

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  5. I have been wanting to read this book for a looong, long time! Having it be part of a "Catch up Challenge" sounds just about right! I'm glad to know that you found it to be so interesting, even the battle information. That's usually the dry part of the book for me as well.

    Appreciated your review! Thanks!

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  6. Fantastic review. I have been eyeing this book to read. I will now for sure put this on my TBR list. Let me ask, have you read MCCullough's John Adams book? If so, how do you think it compares in regards to length of read and speed of read?

    Gosh...so little time but sooo much that I want to read.

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  7. ibeeeg, John Adams is soooo much longer. It really is a fascinating study of the man, but I admit I skipped a lot of the letters that he and his wife wrote to each other. I don't think you can go wrong with any McCullough book.

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  8. I read this with a book club when it first came out, and I rated it as just okay, but I have very good memories of it. I wonder if that's because I was chatting daily with a group.

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