1776 David Mccullough Summary

The Non-Fiction Historical Book 1776 By David McCullough is a historically accurate and in depth view of The American Revolution; starting from The Battle of Bunker Hill, Boston, Brooklyn, New York, Fort Washington, and ending its Analysis at the Battle of Trenton in 1776. There are many fascinating features, trends, themes, and characteristics used in 1776 that make the book a fluent and enjoyable read. Also the book gives a very detailed and informative account of the battles and military life from the Battle of Boston to the Battle of Trenton. Finally the author, David McCullough, of the book as many other works and experiences that tell the reader why and how 1776 is such a credible source

The American Revolution, when 13 American colonies waged war against the most powerful country in the world, Great Britain, for their independence. Soldiers who fought in the war and risked their lives to gain the freedom we have today, is just one of the many prime examples of prevailing hardships in battle. George Washington proved to be exemplary just like many others heroic patriots, like Henry Knox and Nathaniel Greene, when triumphing over the British soldiers with what little strength they had and defeating them. Their victory was more than enough proof on why they deserved independence. David McCullough’s 1776, describes and educates us about events which happened before the war and foreshadows up to the revolution. We learn about the hardships thrown at George Washington and the Continental army whose intentions switched from equal rights to complete emancipation. Battles throughout the Revolutionary War, like the Battle of Bunker Hill, are well known, but McCullough shows the reader how the Continental army continues to strive on even when victory is not in their favor.

David McCullough’s novel 1776 is a compelling story of America’s war for independence. We have all read chapters and heard the related history of the war of 1776, but David McCullough takes the epic story even further. The book covers the entire year of 1776 from the beginning of the war until the end. The author provides an extremely detailed description of both sides of the conflict both American and British. David McCullough is a renowned author and historian and has twice won the Pulitzer Prize for two of his novels; John Adams and Truman, and with reading 1776 you can see exactly why he is so celebrated. His

More lives were lost, hopes put out, and courage forgotten in the winter of 1777 and 1778 than any other time in the war. During this time, the Continental Army set up their winter camp in a small farming settlement 18 miles southeast of Pennsylvania. In Pennsylvania, British General Howe and his army wintered in the warm and comfortable Patriot capital. If you were in Washington’s army during that bitter winter, would you have quit? Would you have quit, or reenlisted, after all you faced and saw? The death, the sickness, the challenges. Due to the fact that help is coming, the need of healthy men, and the fact that if I stay, there will be a greater reward, I will re-enlist.

In 1776 renowned author David McCullough highlights the life and many significant events of the time. Most of the events of 1776 are set in areas like Boston and New York in the Eastern Seaboard. 1776 follows Washington through his triumphs and defeats of the Revolutionary War and gives a detailed description of Washington’s background. The style in which McCullough writes in makes this book simpler and easier to understand. McCullough gives a detailed-although sometimes biased-perspective of both sides of the war that is somewhat neutral.

The reader follows General Washington throughout the Revolution and McCullough does a great job depicting George Washington as he evolves throughout the war, doubts and all. Even when Washington felt swirls of emotions he was never any less of a leader to his men. “Washington was a man of exceptional, almost excessive self command, rarely permitting himself any show of discouragement or despair, but in the privacy of his correspondence with Joseph Reed, he began now to reveal how very low an bitter he felt, if the truth were known.” (McCullough 64) General Washington however hard it may be to believe was only human and McCullough does an amazing job showing this, making the

Valley Forge Essay In the Winter of 1777, Washington created a winter camp 18 miles outside of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania called Valley Forge. This camp was for his army, the Continental Army, to stay over the Winter and it was a very difficult place to live in. If you were here as part of Washington's army, would you have quit on Washington and your fellow troops? I would not have quit on Washington because Washington is getting help, I'm not going to be a “Summer Soldier,” and there is still a “Spirit of Alacrity” throughout the camp in these difficult times.

The following chapters portray the sections of Washington life when he was a soldier, his days as a general, and his duty as the president. The book details the military plights Washington faced as a leader. Ellis says that Washington “lost more battles than he won; indeed, he lost more battles than any victorious general in modern history.” The War for Independence emerged as the most significant milestone in George Washington's life, a time in which he evolved into a grown man, a notorious politician, and a national icon. Ellis does not take us through each battle in detail, but describes the events that shaped Washington’s life and made him a human

Washington's reevaluation of the situation after the failure in New York was the strategy he should have adopted from the start of the war. His knowledge of war fighting was learned by direct observation and experience. In this, he realized to win he must more that all else, preserve the integrity of the Continental Army. "Washington concluded that if the army could be kept alive, the Revolutionary cause would remain alive." (Weigley, p. 12) In gaining this insight, Washington set about on a new course to victory in that the "Art of War" is demonstrated.

1776 written by David McCullough was a very accurate portrayal of the the revolutionary war. The author chose to write the events with mostly a non biased perspective and was able to use multiple sources from the time. This allowed the author to write the book in an interesting way and inform the reader of this vital time in the nation 's history. The book focuses on the life and struggles of George Washington as he progresses through life and the war. It was helpful that the author showed his perspective and thoughts as he grew to become the leader many people think him as today. It is stated that George washington was not a very strong leader when he took control on July third, but it was his perseverance and unrelenting determination that ultimately won the war. Also, The author chose to give insight into the other important leaders who influenced how the war progressed through the year. This was not only accomplished by direct quotes but the author also explained why some decisions were made on both sides made the events less complicated. The fact that the author chose to focus of Washington and the troops lives also made it more personal and it helped that the narrative did not jump around to give an overview of the war from all perspectives.

The book 1776 by David McCullough tells the story of the military aspects of the American Revolution. McCullough writes the book from both the British and American point of views, creating a better understanding of what both sides were undergoing during the war.

Yet in early spring at Valley Forge General Nathanel Greene was appointed quartermaster. Conditions for the members of the continental army greatly improved. Food was in abundance as well as clothing and soldiers took full advantage of it. While the American soldiers were very valiant, they lacked the discipline and skills of a true army. This soon changed will the arrival of Baron Von Stueben. Von Stueben quickly turned the continental army into a true “army.” Leaving Valley Forge Washington and his men had a renewed sense of patriotism. They were now a united army with the skills to defeat the British although they had suffered great losses they had made great achievements and were now truly an army. The winter of Valley Forge exemplified the true will of General George Washington and his troops. They were united and they were ready to fight for one cause life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Throughout history, Americans have sought to spread the spirit of equality, which is believed to be the realization of true freedom. Before establishing this freedom, every American had only one question stuck in their head: What is freedom? Our country received it in the year of 1776 from the British through a series of difficulties and wars. African Americans defined it as an escape from slavery, while immigrants defined it as their acceptance into a new society. More yet, women of the women’s suffrage defined their freedom as their recognition into society and for their rights to be equal to that of every other man. These different perceptions of cultures/groups in America tied together to form an American view of freedom. Freedom is

Though it is a historical book, 1776 has many different themes waiting to be analyzed and dissected. One theme would be the theme of leadership being a major key to success. Throughout the book, McCullough seems to emphasize the fact that even though the American army was minimal, vastly outnumbered by the British, strong leadership was what truly mattered. Not only did this mean the Commander-in-Chief George Washington, but also other commanding officers such as Nathanael Greene and Henry Knox. If the American rebels did not have such strong leadership, both on the field and when inspiration was needed, victory would have been very much postponed or not existent at all. McCullough writes “ good officers were mandatory” and “officers must be better paid, better trained (pg 226).” While the army itself is very important, the commanding officers serve as a driving force that directs the firepower in a certain direction and, in turn, towards victory. Another example would be when soldiers witness their commander, George Washington, rushing onto the field despite the dangers that lay ahead and how important his life was to the cause. One soldier wrote that he would “never forget what [he] felt… When [he] saw him brave all the dangers

David McCullough, the author of 1776 placed countenance and emotion of the Revolutionary war material that is an exciting novel when the closing is established. The work of McCullough’s, John Adams, 1776 is truly military perspective of era versus political.