Book Log 2006 #14: 1776 by David McCullough
America's favorite historian (at least based on the power of John Adams) takes on the most critical year in colonial American history in 1776, which passes on covering the year in wide context, but rather focuses on three battles that shaped the revolution to come - the siege of Boston, the Battle of Brooklyn, and the Battle of Trenton.
The focus of the book is almost solely mililtary, with just enough politics and social history to bridge the gaps. From what I could tell the intention was to show how these battles shaped the colonial army and its leader, George Washington. There's a little light cast on some of the second-tier players, but the focus is on Washington's development as commander in chief.
All that being said, I liked the book for what it was. It's been quite a while since my last US history class, so there's not much I can give by way of critique on how the history is presented. Folks who can speak more to the veracity of the text are more than welcome to comment.
03 April 2006
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1 comment:
As usual, McCullough shines with this genre. A self-proclaimed "Revolutionary War Nut" I read anything on this period voraciously, and with 1776 I was not disappointed. As usual, Benedict Arnold, and his role in this critical period are largely ignored. It is true that as time passes on, history is rewritten and often as not we tend to glorify those who rise to the top and villify those that skim the bottom. Point of fact - the revolution would have fallen flat on its face were it not for the sheer boldness and voracity of young Arnold in those early years.
Back on topic, though, I really love the way McCullough presents Washington exactly as he was, filled with doubt and misgivings, convinced of his own failings, yet rising above himself time and time again, not to win the battle, but to win the war. From a true military standpoint, Washington was an average tactician at best, yet his indominatable spirit, belief in his men and his cause and his ability to see far beyond what falls out on the field of battle are nothing short of genius.
1776 really shows how fragile the coalition among the fledgling revolutionaries and just how close, in those dark December days, things came to crumbling all around them. The New Jersey campaign and the brief successes at Trenton and Princeton served little military purpose, yet undoubtedly saved the rebellion and sealed the fate of a free and independent nation. This book and the dark (at times) period it portrays really colours an accurate picture of these times.
I think Payne captures it best, in The American Crisis from this same year when he wrote, "These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman". It amazes me how much these men had to lose in their fight with Mother England and the sheer strength and will it must have taken to forge on through defeat after defeat.
I guess I'll give up my nickel on this one now. Fully agreed - a great read and one that will even open the eyes of those that think they've heard this story so many times before.
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