A few months back I was poking around the family bookshelves for something I hadn’t read before and saw this. Inside the cover “$1.00 Hist” was written in pencil. I asked my wife about it and she had gotten it on sale at our library. I’m sure she had shown it to me back then but it got shelved because I was probably reading something else.
Since we are now at 250 years and counting, I gave this book a chance and I’m glad I did. I remember David McCullough well for interviews and speeches of his. It is obvious that a great amount of research went into this book. If anyone is interested in the year leading up to and including 1776, I would recommend this book. I liked it enough to read it in a few sittings.
Chris Reimers
Here is a speech Mr. McCullough did back in 2005 at the National Archives after 5 weeks on a book tour about the book “1776”:
Wings of the Wind 
Thanks for highlighting this book, Chris. I do remember reading it when it was first published and enjoying it. The British could have won the war that year with their decisive victories in and around NYC if they had pressed it, but they were content to stay bottled up.
You’re welcome, Tom, and thank you for this comment. I thought this might be one that you have read. It has been awhile but I used to teach American History to 8th graders and the Revolutionary War is one we focused on a bit. This book was way better than any curriculum I ever used but, of course, McCullough had a lot more pages to work with. Still, he made the story come alive so it was a book that I had a hard time putting down.
You have probably seen many Revolutionary War sites that I will never see so I can see you knowing the terrain of some of the historic places well. Washington’s ragtag group was certainly lacking in resources for much of this time and your point is spot on. If the Brits had pursued the Rebels even close to the way Grant pressed Lee in the final year of the Civil War, it would have been over early.
Thanks for sharing Chris. I always find history interesting, wherever it is in the world.
You’re welcome, Elizabeth, and thank you for your comment. I’m a bit of a history buff myself. This book kept me interested throughout and I learned some things I didn’t know about the Revolutionary War.
I really like David McCullough’s writing. He knows how to make history read like a story. My favorites are The Wright Brothers and John Adams.
I’ll give 1776 a go. Thanks!
Nice. I think you’ll like it, Sue . I like David McCullough’s writing, too. He is a great story teller who tries to get as close to the facts as he possibly can. I’ve heard about the John Adams book and I may give that a try. You’re welcome and thank you as well!
He is one of my favorite historical authors. I have all his books in my library. 1776 is a great book and one people can enjoy at this time. Thanks for posting! 😀✝️✝️✝️📖🙏🕊️
You’re welcome, Berean. I can see why you like his writing so much. The research goes deep and there are things in this book that you will find nowhere else. When he was alive, I used to watch any interview or speech of his I ran across because he was so knowledgeable.
Thank you for your comment.
I always wondered about this book; thanks for this review!
You’re welcome, Pastor Jim!
And timely too!
Yes, Pastor Jim. Our 250th is the reason I read it.
Yes!!!
What a wonderful reflection, Chris! Sometimes the best books are the ones quietly waiting for us on our own shelves. I enjoyed reading how a simple $1 library find turned into such a rewarding historical journey. David McCullough had a remarkable gift for bringing history to life, and your recommendation makes me want to revisit 1776.
Thank you for sharing both your personal story and the speech—it’s a thoughtful reminder that great history never grows old. 📚👏
David McCullough, indeed, had a remarkable gift for bringing history to life. He must have spent hours researching his books as you can find unique information in most of what he’s written. Most of what he’s written I know from hearing him in interviews about his books. I think this is only the second book of his that I have read but I always enjoyed interviews with him when he was alive.
I used to teach the Revolutionary War to 8th graders and every American has to take American history three or so times in their educational years. I think I had it four times (including college) so I’ve had to learn and know a bit about that war. Still, this book told me several key things that I didn’t know.
You’re welcome for this post and I’m glad you liked both my personal story and the speech. As you stated, great history never grows old! 😊
Thanks for bringing up this great book. The author did an incredible amount of research and it shows. This is the best kind of read.
—Shirley
You’re welcome, Shirley, and thank you for stopping by. I’m glad you liked this book as much as I did. The research is obvious as you stated and I read it more quickly than most things I read. Thank you for your comment!
Chris