The World in 1776

by Marshall B. Davidson

One-third of the men who signed the Declaration of Independence were not of English stock. Eight were first-generation immigrants. It was in recognition of the mixed European background of so many Americans that John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson proposed that the seal of the United States bear the national emblems of France, Germany, Holland, Ireland, Scotland, and England, thus "pointing out the countries from which these States have been peopled." Many came, as Thomas Paine stated, in search of asylum. But they also came with an intent to preserve and refresh aspects of life in their homelands. In 1776, Europe boasted a rich civilization, alive with dynamic ideas, flourishing arts, and promising concepts in science. The foundations of industry and business were established, and social reforms were being undertaken, which Europeans took with them as they colonized and traded. They had come in contact with Eastern civilizations, above all, China. Here, from award-winning historian Marshall B. Davidson, is the story of the world of 1776.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, American History, American Revolution, Historical

414 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2015

About the author

Marshall Bowman Davidson

Reviews

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I added The World in 1776 to my 'to read' list, I expected a history of the events surrounding the American revolution. What I found after reading the book was that and much more. As the title suggests, The World in 1776 is more an examination of 18th century European life in its entirety - politics, science, society, art, writing, everything. There is much more here about Europe leading up to the events of 1776 than there is of the American colonies and the forces that drove the colonists to revolt, although you do get that too.

Very interesting.

[Carole · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was in high school I studied the American Revolution in some depth. In my advanced placement history class I was required to read several books in addition to a traditional textbook and also to read original texts by Paine, Franklin, Jefferson, Adams, Washington and more. These gave me a good sense of the politics, passions, hopes, fears and mechanics of the revolution but without a global context.

This book is a survey of what was going on in England and Europe and even some places in Asia during the decade in which the birth of the USA was embedded. The author reveals at a high level things that were thought and discussed and happening in areas as diverse as governance, politics, economics, social constructs, theology and the framework and administration of various religions, medicine and other sciences, and so on.

I feel so enlightened having read the book. Before I read it I had no idea of the greater world's ideas and accomplishments during the time our country was being formed or how those ideas an accomplishments supported or threatened the growing of America. I am glad glad glad to have this context.

This book is less than 300 pages long and written in clear comprehensible sentences. It is an easy read if you like history, and it provides many aha moments and thoughts about who we are today and why. I recommend it.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Overview

Book gives a good overview of the world is prior to and during the American Revolution in the colonies and Europe. It ranges from art and literature to the realm of politics. You see figures from kings to the colonists. If you like history, I would recommend this book.

[Bob Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read for history.

Good read that gives broad overview of the world that shaped our country's beginning. From social norms to the arts. Very good.

[Gil Hahn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging and well written. Would have been better with references/notes.

[Chris Creech · Rating 5 out of 5]

Look it’s not a page turning but jeez if you love history you’ll love this it’s very fascinating to see what was going on in the World leading up to the American revolution and how other governments thought and trade system and artistry , religion and farming and the philosophy some of the monarchs of the time and what philosophers thought of the monarchs of the time. A
So the way wars were fought in Europe between neighbors as opposed to the American revolution. I came away from this thinking “who couldn’t see the American revolution coming” the colonies seem to have most of the European nations thrown together with out the leaders......when the parents are away....”I wanna rock”

[Doug Hohbein · Rating 2 out of 5]

I chuckle when I read a book review and the reader said they couldn't finish the book. I almost had to use that line with this book. 3/4 of the book covered philosophy, art, intellectuals and royalty of Europe in the 18th century. The entire century, not just 1776 and the years leading up to it. I didn't know much about Voltaire before reading this book, and since a good portion of this book covered him or his thoughts about whatever subject was being covered, I've had my fill of Voltaire. The last chapter was interesting and earned both stars in my review. Too bad I had to endure everything before it.

[Gordon Gauss · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first thought this might be just another reenactment of the American Revolution starring George Washington and other dignitaries of the times. That was the history about 1776 I was taught when I was growing up in a small town in Iowa.
This book gave us the background of what the rest of the world was doing prior and during those formative years. We learned who the European players were in science, religion and the art world.
Who knew? I now have a better idea of the world's history in the 18th century . Good read.

[Edward Nugent · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't realize the world only consisted of Europe in the 18th century. I found the book tedious and difficult to follow. It purports to be a comprehensive view of Europe, and by extension the American colonies in what was to become the U.S. and Canada, in the late eighteenth century, but lacks a cohesive center. It is full of trivia, for example why spend pages talking about John Wise when it is acknowledged that his writing had little or no effect on colonial thinking?

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book of interest to those historian buffs. I found some little known facts of American interests during that time period. But it was fascinating to see throughout the world what was happening at the same time that America haphazardly put together the Revolutionary War. The fact that we won our independence seemed to be a matter of luck and what other countries were doing at the time. It was like reading more of a timeline of the world events.

[Terri Weitze · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full disclosure, I did not finish this book. I started reading it when I was cast in 1776 as Ben Franklin, but there was so much material out there specifically related to Franklin, this one fell by the way side. But I enjoyed what I read.

[Jim L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Personally I didn’t care for much of the book. Like others I assumed something different about the book, but unlike others I wasn’t enthralled by most of the book. I enjoyed the first summary portion and the last section quite a bit, but much of the meat of the middle wasn’t as interesting.

[Scott · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bit dry.

[Rachel Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay book. Not what I'd recommend for an in depth understanding of anything in this book.

[Richard Booth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enlightening history about what happened in the Western world during and around 1776. Recommended for history buffs.

[Jen · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was a disaster. When I picked it up, I thought it was David McCullough's 1776. Not even close. This is full of dull, rambling writing, the type that makes some folks hate studying history. The drama of history was lost in names and shallow descriptions of events. Reading it felt like being cornered at a cocktail party with a boring history buff who has had one too many.

[Patricia J. Mack · Rating 5 out of 5]

America in larger view

Fascinating look at the beginning of America amidst the vast forces that shaped the world in its time. Context is everything and seen through these pages America is even more a miracle than I thought.

[Quartknee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reads a bit like a dissertation at too many points in the overall narrative to suit my tastes, but if this material interests you, maybe you'd like it.

[Chic · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not what I expected, a labourious read.