When we learn about the Revolutionary War in school, it seems like a logical progression with democracy as the inevitable result. But when one is living in a historic time, one moment follows another, and everything could change at any time. The outcome is not sure.

McCullough writes as if the year 1776 is a work in progress. I find his style memorable and delightful. As I finished the book, I was thinking, "I don't know which side is actually going to win the war!" Although I've read a lot of American history, McCullough made me feel I was right there, looking over their shoulders, wondering what might happen next.

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Even if you don't enjoy historical non-fiction, you will love this book. Written in a narrative style with quotes from historical figures mixed in. Perfect for the average reader!

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This book is currently on the Best Seller list. If you are a history buff, you will enjoy it because it is so solidly researched. But it is also written in such a readable way that if you aren't actually into history, you'll enjoy it. Mccullough makes people we have heard about all our lives (like George Washington, for example) come alive. He does such a good job, I didn't want the book to end. I hope Mccullough is going to write a sequel.

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For history buffs. This shows the development of events which led to, and into the Revolutionary Way. George Washington is the major character. This is non-fiction and well documented by an award winning historian/

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Not my favorite of his audiobooks -- too brief, not as descriptive. Last side of the last tape was the best part. Perhaps this tape is abridged???

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This nonfiction book takes a detailed look at George Washington and his new army at the beginning of the American Revolution. As I am a more frequent reader of non-fiction, it took me a few chapters to get comfortable with the author's prose. However, the author does a good job developing the characters of the major players in this history, and does not just list dates and facts. The book focuses as much on the question of "what kind of man led this army?" as on the questions of "what battles were important?" I particularly liked how researched this book is. Rather than telling us what David McCullough thinks about George Washington, the author quotes from the diaries and military reports of men and women on both sides of the conflict. I enjoyed this book, and will be looking forward to other history books by this author.

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Fantastic brief summary of a "slice" of the Revolutionary War. I was already a fan of David McCullough's work and this was excellent as per his usual. I would strongly encourage this book as an introduction to American history (his book John Adams does it much better but in a GREATLY expanded format). Great concept - the book just takes a slice of history (1776)and jumps in there to tell the story of the Revolution. It is obviously just a small part of the whole story, but a pretty darn important part. I would call this light reading (probably the only book I have ever intentionally read twice) as it is immensely readable.

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Great book. Tells the story and brings it to life in a way that only McCollough seems to pull off.

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It got me interested in McCullogh's other books and also another history book I'm reading, "Lies My Teacher Told Me" by James W. Loewen

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Good read

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I really enjoyed this book, as I have any David McCullough books that I have read. It provides great historical detail about the events of 1776 and the Continental Army. Unfortunately Washington's army spent most of 1776 losing to the British. It wasn't until the last few days of the year, starting with the crossing of the Delaware and victory against the Hessians that the war started turning. The book pretty much ends at the end of 1776 (hence the title), so you don't get much of the good news as the war turned in favor of the Americans. I would be cool if he had gone through the end of the war or added a sequel. Still, I definitely enjoyed and recommend this book.

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In this stirring audiobook, David McCullough tells the intensely human story of those who marched with General George Washington in the year of the Declaration of Independence - when the whole American cause was riding on their success, without which all hope for independence would have been dashed and the noble ideals of the Declaration would have amounted to little more than words on paper.
Based on extensive research in both American and British archives, 1776 is the story of Americans in the ranks, men of every shape, size, and color, farmers, schoolteachers, shoemakers, no-accounts, and mere boys turned soldiers. And it is the story of the British commander, William Howe, and his highly disciplined redcoats who looked on their rebel foes with contempt and fought with a valor too little known. But it is the American commander-in-chief who stands foremost-Washington, who had never before led an army in battle.
Read by the author.

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Excellent so was the movie

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Being from New England, where the Revolution began, I took an interest in this book right away. The author clearly admires George Washington but portrays him in a human light. Also of interest is the heavy-handedness of George III and Parliament by which they hoped to subdue the rebellion and British Gen. Howes plan to carry it out.

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