To capture every detail of the war that lasted seven years and is famously known as the American Revolutionary War, would require a significant length of time. A student simply would not have time to do so unless it was being learned as a part of its own class itself, which would likely become boring if you weren’t a history geek. Thankfully, as a result of David McCullough’s nonfiction novel 1776, one can understand what many people including myself believe to be the most important aspect of the war: American Independence. Not only can they be further educated, but because of McCullough’s successful writing technique, they can understand the most important events of the year 1776 in a unique and exciting way without needing a full education of the war.
Throughout the novel, McCullough puts a great emphasis on detail regarding the thoughts and decisions of the important leaders from both sides of the war that precede the Declaration of Independence of America on July 4th, 1776, and the events that follow. Such leaders include King George lll and his members of the Parliament and George Washington and his generals. Not only does he capture their victories, but he shares several aspects of fears and doubts pertaining to each army, especially of American leader George Washington, due to his several defeats. This book includes the details of several battles that occurred in the year 1776 such as in Boston, Long Island, and others in both New York and New Jersey. McCullough provides the inner emotions of Washington as he encounters several hardships and struggles along his journey of being a leader. He includes an account of Washington believing that his generals have lost faith in him after he intervenes on a letter written by secretary Joseph Reed for General Charles Lee about Washington having an “indecisive mind” (McCullough 248). This struggle is only one of the many examples provided that force emotions of sympathy on the reader and make one want to continue further to see how it all lays out in the end. Throughout the novel, Washington is portrayed as never failing to give up regardless of having a lack of resources such as gunpowder and funds as well as his men being untrained compared to the disciplined and structured loyalists. Even though the colonists faced several defeats by the British, with Washington’s determination, America is always seen as ready to fight back as strong as they can which eventually leads to a victory, what some believe to be caused by a miracle.
Ultimately, one should read this novel if they are interested in attaining a deeper knowledge of the American Revolution as seen in the year of 1776 associated with Washington’s leadership throughout the journey of hardship and defeat that eventually leads to achieving American independence. With a well written and accurate historical account, David McCullough portrays the circumstances of each side of the war in a powerful way that pushes the reader to never set the book down.
Throughout the novel, McCullough puts a great emphasis on detail regarding the thoughts and decisions of the important leaders from both sides of the war that precede the Declaration of Independence of America on July 4th, 1776, and the events that follow. Such leaders include King George lll and his members of the Parliament and George Washington and his generals. Not only does he capture their victories, but he shares several aspects of fears and doubts pertaining to each army, especially of American leader George Washington, due to his several defeats. This book includes the details of several battles that occurred in the year 1776 such as in Boston, Long Island, and others in both New York and New Jersey. McCullough provides the inner emotions of Washington as he encounters several hardships and struggles along his journey of being a leader. He includes an account of Washington believing that his generals have lost faith in him after he intervenes on a letter written by secretary Joseph Reed for General Charles Lee about Washington having an “indecisive mind” (McCullough 248). This struggle is only one of the many examples provided that force emotions of sympathy on the reader and make one want to continue further to see how it all lays out in the end. Throughout the novel, Washington is portrayed as never failing to give up regardless of having a lack of resources such as gunpowder and funds as well as his men being untrained compared to the disciplined and structured loyalists. Even though the colonists faced several defeats by the British, with Washington’s determination, America is always seen as ready to fight back as strong as they can which eventually leads to a victory, what some believe to be caused by a miracle.
Ultimately, one should read this novel if they are interested in attaining a deeper knowledge of the American Revolution as seen in the year of 1776 associated with Washington’s leadership throughout the journey of hardship and defeat that eventually leads to achieving American independence. With a well written and accurate historical account, David McCullough portrays the circumstances of each side of the war in a powerful way that pushes the reader to never set the book down.