1776
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1776 / McCullough
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Been pondering buying this and puting it on my evergrowing pile of "must read next" books.How balanced is it? Do the French interventions get much of a mention? How much is on the society of the "colony"? Much on Republican ideas (Paine etc)?
Would be interested in feedback...but hey, I'm kidding myself, I'll be buying it anyway.
Old Barbarossa, the book mostly takes place from the end of 1775 to the new year in 1777. It mostly goes on about the battles that were won and loss during this time period. It's not political in nature so much as an extensive look into the difficulties that were endured... the humiliation and despair that they contended with... It shows just how lucky the Americans were versus the way the British underestimated them because they were ragged, tattered, drunken, uneducated and the like. It's very good.
Arielle wrote: "Old Barbarossa, the book mostly takes place from the end of 1775 to the new year in 1777. It mostly goes on about the battles that were won and loss during this time period. It's not political in..."Excellent summation, Arielle. And it is an excellent book. I love history, but even I must admit that anyone who can turn a historical event with a known outcome into a page turner is a good writer.
For popular history this was simple a wonderful and inspiring book. A must read for all Americans to gain greater appretiation for the people we are all indebted to.
Great read. Odd, you can practically hear McCullough's voice. Not for everybody, however. As the title indicates, McCullough's tack doesn't follow all that came before, or after; instead he puts us in the founding fathers' steps along the cliff edge that was 1776 - how very close these patriots, and the United States, came to failure.
I've read this book & think it's terrific! I have read it twice.
Old-Barbarossa wrote: "Been pondering buying this and putting it on my ever growing pile of "must read next" books.How balanced is it? Do the French interventions get much of a mention? How much is on the society of the "..."
Give me a little break...This is a book about America not France. The text is specific enough about that.
Great book. I am a big fan of McCullough. This book helps show how the creation of this country was a miracle.It happened against the odds.
Stephen wrote: "Great book. I am a big fan of McCullough. This book helps show how the creation of this country was a miracle.It happened against the odds."
Yes, makes me happy to be an American and sad the same time to see our country going down the drain today. Truly a miracle in 1776 and miracles come from the Creator.
Jim wrote: "Stephen wrote: "Great book. I am a big fan of McCullough. This book helps show how the creation of this country was a miracle.It happened against the odds."
Yes, makes me happy to be an America..."
God is in control. He has a plan and He is executing that plan. In the immortal words of Theodore Roosevelt - "Fear God and Do Your Part".
read the last few comments with great interest... watching any well researched documentary about the founding of this country, Or reading any books of the calibur D. McCullough puts out about our founding fathers, and it hits me too... what a miracle the founding of this nation was! in "the natural," it should not have happened!
An excellent book to wean fiction readers from fantasy and to help them discover the treasure that lies in American history. I have read this book four times, purchased the expanded version with maps and letters and listened to the Books on Tape version at least 3 times. D. McCullough has me in his spell.
Jeanette wrote: "An excellent book to wean fiction readers from fantasy and to help them discover the treasure that lies in American history. I have read this book four times, purchased the expanded version with ma..."I totally agree. You have much more perseverance than I. I admire you for the many reads.
Did you find a particular part of the book to be more interesting than the others? I spent a lot of time looking at the picture of the British ships getting ready to leave Boston Harbor.
Jeanette wrote: "Did you find a particular part of the book to be more interesting than the others? I spent a lot of time looking at the picture of the British ships getting ready to leave Boston Harbor."Washington's horrific march to Boston and the battle for New York. I also have a cleared pic of the writing of our Star Spangled Banner. Do you like history in general?
The Battle for New York just makes me shake my head. So many men lost. Yes, I like history, especially early American and European history to about the time of Napoleon.
Jeanette wrote: "The Battle for New York just makes me shake my head. So many men lost. Yes, I like history, especially early American and European history to about the time of Napoleon."Ah; you like world hx. I like WWII, Korean War, Vietnam, 60's and 70's But hx in general. "Unbroken" is my favorite right now.
1776 led me to read other books on Washington. Another favorite - The Glorious Struggle by Edward G Lengel. The only books I really read on WWII were the series of 3 by Churchill. The Gathering of the Storm, etc. A little more removed from the visceral experience.
Jeanette wrote: "1776 led me to read other books on Washington. Another favorite - The Glorious Struggle by Edward G Lengel. The only books I really read on WWII were the series of 3 by Churchill. The Gathering of..."You will be inspired by "Unbroken" It is the true story of a former olympian who became a pilot in WWII and crashed in the Pacific. On the best seller list for 6 months +. Has a great ending. I am from Texas.
I have a copy of Sacred Fire, written by theologan Peter Lillback, which gives a huge amount of evidence that George Washington was Not a deist, as some modern scholars are trying to claim, but a sincere Christian. it is not a casual read, but a great resource for anyone who wants to know all they can about our 1st president.
MaryJo wrote: "I have a copy of Sacred Fire, written by theologian Peter Lillback, which gives a huge amount of evidence that George Washington was Not a deist, as some modern scholars are trying to claim, but a s..."Hi Mary Jo, Kinda hard to believe that someone is not a deist but is a Christian. In fact,One can be a deist and not be a Christian; but can't be a Christian and not a deist.
In his resignation letter to the Continental Congress at the end of the war, Washington wrote, "I consider it an indispensable duty to close this last solemn act of my Official life, by commending the Interests of our dearest Country to the protection of Almighty God and those who have the superintendence of them to his holy keeping." He did the right thing.Edited: He did the right thing no matter what term he used.
Jim, many modern scholars insist G. Washington was the former, only a deist, and Peter Lillback decided to research the question for himself. his evidence is very strong, as Jeanette's post above supports. the book, among other things, states Washington often referred to Providence as a term often used in his day instead of The Almighty, or God.
I think she was a traitor at first, when she first received the necklace. But later, when she said that Richard was threatening her when she wanted to stop, I felt bad for her and realized that I would have done the same thing, keep giving him information so long as he didn't hurt my friends.
When my daughter and I drove past the Brandywine Battlefield early last spring, I looked up the hill and could almost see waves of the Continental Army coming silently down through the bare trees with the low rays of the evening sun upon them. The area is peppered with various buildings dating from that time. I can't wait to get back there sometime and go through some of them. McCullough's book brings all of this to life for me. I guess I get caught up in the experience instead of the words.
MaryJo wrote: "Jim, many modern scholars insist G. Washington was the former, only a deist, and Peter Lillback decided to research the question for himself. his evidence is very strong, as Jeanette's post above ..."I am doing my own research on the subject and I am finding that there were many kinds of deists in the 18th century. It appears to be very complicated and it would take me a long time to understand it. I am not saying your boy Lillback is wrong; sounds like he has got merit. I even found that many men were called "Christian Deists." Go figure! I have too many other irons in the fires right now but I will put this on my list. Thanks for the dialogue. :0)
Jim wrote: "MaryJo wrote: "Jim, many modern scholars insist G. Washington was the former, only a deist, and Peter Lillback decided to research the question for himself. his evidence is very strong, as Jeanett..."Jim wrote: "Jeanette wrote: "The Battle for New York just makes me shake my head. So many men lost. Yes, I like history, especially early American and European history to about the time of Napoleon."
FYI re: Vietnam books - you might find The War Cradle by Shirley Peck-Barnes interesting, about Operation Baby Lift. She was my late cousin.
MaryJo wrote: "I have a copy of Sacred Fire, written by theologan Peter Lillback, which gives a huge amount of evidence that George Washington was Not a deist, as some modern scholars are trying to claim, but a s..."The idea of Washington as a Deist was not a creation of modern scholars. It goes back to Washingtons own time. How this is even relevant is a mystery. It seems to have more relevance for modern day revisionists with an agenda.
Sounds interesting. Sometimes I feel like histiory is gets distorted sometimes.
What historical topics were in this book?
Allison wrote: "What historical topics were in this book?"Have you not read the book? The whole book is history.
Mike wrote: "I have read this book and found it to be inspirational and patriotic, of course. I enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone. It opened my eyes to the divine intervention that brought this countr..."Divine intervention? Really? If you were to consult McCullough, I know he would totally reject that. Moreover, I would suggest you do more reading about the founding of the country and the source of their ideas.
Colleen wrote: "Mike wrote: "I have read this book and found it to be inspirational and patriotic, of course. I enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone. It opened my eyes to the divine intervention that brough..."Collen,
I totally agree. nuff said.
Colleen wrote: "Divine intervention? Really? If you were to consult McCullough, I know he would totally reject that. Moreover, I would suggest you do more reading about the founding of the country and the source of their ideas. "I don't know about McCullough, but when countries that start out as 90 lb. weaklings such as the U.S. or Israel turn into power nations, something must be helping.
This history was well researched and entertainingly written. Yes, it was short. No, it was not exhaustive. I suppose I object to the use of "popular history" as a pejorative. 1776 is excellent history for those of us without the time or patience to read through something like Francis Parkman's ten-volume(?) history of the French in North America (by the way, well written and exhaustive).About the discussion of Deism: before you argue your case, go take a refresher course on the Enlightenment.
Very good researched, without being boring ! It has many photos in , sections from actual letters and more !
This is one of the best books I was reading about it. Without getting boring, it got sections out of letters from soldiers, politicians, even Washington, and many photos and helpful tools. A must read for anyone who is interested about the pre- and post- civil war time.
Shoshi wrote: "This is one of the best books I was reading about it. Without getting boring, it got sections out of letters from soldiers, politicians, even Washington, and many photos and helpful tools. A must r..."I agree Soshi. Truly inspirational. I read it before my trip to Washington DC, so it really made the trip special.
Joseph wrote: "Shoshi wrote: "This is one of the best books I was reading about it. Without getting boring, it got sections out of letters from soldiers, politicians, even Washington, and many photos and helpful ..."Exactly what I would say too! Best book I have ever read. I would definitely recommend this book to my friends, boys and girls!
Um, I was wanting to know if there were any other interesting books that you all would recommend for me to read!
Alissa wrote: "Um, I was wanting to know if there were any other interesting books that you all would recommend for me to read!"Alicia, are we talking about Washington here, or history, biography, when you ask for recommendations?:
If you like history of that period, I'd highly recommend "Washington," by Ron Chernow.
McCullough (and Ellis, too, for that matter) is a terrific writer, but his biggest flaw by far is ideological -- that is, he perpetuates the myth of what some call the "Great Man Theory" of history. Indeed, that's what makes his works so popular, as the public for which he writes loves books on Washington, Lincoln, Eisenhower, FDR, and the like. Problem is, that's only one part of the story of American history. In my history classes, I'm constantly running into the "Great Man" notion and work feverishly to teach the "yes, but" side of the story. Most popular history, like McCullough's, makes my job harder.
Larry wrote: "McCullough (and Ellis, too, for that matter) is a terrific writer, but his biggest flaw by far is ideological -- that is, he perpetuates the myth of what some call the "Great Man Theory" of history..."Sorry, I totally disagree with you. All human beings have their flaws, but there are definitely men and women who stand out as giants in human history, and that includes American history. The evidence is strong to support that. No buts. McCullough has never ignored the total picture of the individuals he's written about.
Mike