They were a well disciplined well established army and navy. They knew how to care for themselves and avoid disease. One of the interesting aspects of the book is the strategy of the leaders. William Howe and George Washington. Their successes and failures. My interpretation is the British were winners. The Americans had small successes here and there.
I think the author gave to much credit for the battle at the end in New Jersey. Howe had left and went to NY. The Americans did win the battle but only a portion of the British were there. I did learn a lot reading this book, but I struggled to get through it. View all 14 comments. Sep 08, Lori Keeton rated it liked it Shelves: reads , american-history , nonfiction , revolutionary-war.
I never thought I would ever finish this one. I'm not sure what caused me to delay picking it up each day or what kept me from being more interested. It is one of the parts of American history that I sadly admit to not being very well versed.
I really would like to change that as the Revolutionary war ought to be at the forefront of what we, Americans, know about our heritage. It's definitely going to take more than a class in elementary school to spur on the younger generations to learn about t I never thought I would ever finish this one. It's definitely going to take more than a class in elementary school to spur on the younger generations to learn about their country and how it came to be free.
This is what patriotism is all about and it is ever lacking today. This was my first time reading McCullough's work and maybe this one isn't his best.
It will be some time before I decide to pick up another, but I will give him another shot. It was very extensively researched with so many documents and letters to draw from. Maybe I wanted more than just the one year highlighted, It reads like a story of the underdogs fighting against all odds to find their way against a very powerful and vast enemy. How the newly declared independent Americans ever found their footing and won this war, is truly remarkable based on descriptions here of how little training, supplies, and weapons they actually had.
View all 22 comments. Jul 31, Duane rated it really liked it Shelves: book-challenge , audio-books , rated-books , 21st-century , reviewed-books , non-fiction. I listened to this on audio-book, although I do have a hard back copy in my library. David McCollough's distinct voice, which makes his speeches so enjoyable, also makes him the perfect candidate to read his own books.
Of course the main highlight of the year was the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4th. But this book focuses on the military campaign of George Washington and the Continental Army. For the most part wasn't a very good year for either. It did see the British Army and it's naval fleet evacuate Boston after Washington, in a brilliant one night manoeuvre, move his army and artillery onto Dorchester Heights, making the British retreat necessary.
Washington then moved the army to New York to defend there, but the British Fleet returned, and with superior forces, total naval domination of the harbor and rivers, they routed the Continental's in a series of battles, finally capturing Ft. What was significant though about this episode was the fact that the British could have ended the war right then if they had pushed their advantage.
But in another brilliant night manoeuvre, Washington stole quietly across the river with his army and escaped. Washington moved his army to New Jersey to be in a position to defend the Capitol, Philadelphia.
They camped on the west side of the Delaware River while the British occupied the east side which included Trenton and Princeton. This set the stage for the famous night crossing of the Delaware by boat, and the successful attack and taking of Trenton the next morning. They followed up the next day by taking Princeton, probably saving the army and the country from defeat. The war would last another five years before Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown in The treaty of Paris was signed in officially bringing peace.
A lot happened in those years, but this book focused on and the events I've mentioned here. Again I'll say that I think my appreciation of the book was enhanced by listening instead of reading. View all 4 comments. Apr 22, Sarah rated it it was amazing Shelves: u-s-history , adult , non-fiction , read-for-school , history , underdogs , american-revolution. Technically I didn't actually read this for school, but it's so clearly written and informative that I'm putting it there.
David McCullough employs a lucid style in this book, detailed without being ornate, that conveys a lot of information in a short amount of pages. He's even-handed in his portrayals of the notable persons on both sides of the war, mostly focusing on them as soldiers and statesmen rather than as people.
It's a refreshing approach, neither hagiography nor demonization. Both sid Technically I didn't actually read this for school, but it's so clearly written and informative that I'm putting it there. Both sides had noble idealists mixed with Machiavellians, fops, violent Neanderthals, and on the British side, at least mercenaries.
The book also makes it clear that war is mostly drudgery and discomfort, augmented by the terror of pursuit and ambush, and punctuated with spurts of carnage that often as not leave no clear victor. The only way it achieves anything is when one side decides that enough of its people have died. This particular war certainly had important goals, goals that would change the trajectory of human history, but that doesn't make it any less vile a business.
Having gotten this baseline of knowledge, I feel ready to tackle more books about the American Revolution. In fact, I'm quite excited to do so. Recommended, especially if you have to write a paper about the Revolution. It's packed with useful info and very accessible. View 2 comments. Jan 03, Chrissie rated it liked it Shelves: read , usa , leaders , audible-uk , history.
This is the first book of the nine I have read by David McCullough that I have not given either a four or five star rating. Three stars is a book I like but I do not think it compares well to his other books. It isn't comprehensive enough. Why does he cover only the first year of the Revolutionary War? There is no explanation given. It actually starts with the Siege of Boston in the fall of , yet it does not cover Bunker Hill or the Battle of Lexington which occurred earlier in the same year This is the first book of the nine I have read by David McCullough that I have not given either a four or five star rating.
It actually starts with the Siege of Boston in the fall of , yet it does not cover Bunker Hill or the Battle of Lexington which occurred earlier in the same year. We are delivered a snapshot, albeit a moving, well-told and accurate portrayal of the war's first year, but only the first year.
It is a year of struggle and hardship and a battle against impossible odds. Ill-equipped, without adequate funds from Congress and a scarcity of trained officers, how could one successfully fight the British navy, army and hired mercenaries?
Washington's perseverance is what shines through. It is these three men that get the largest attention of the figures mentioned. The book reads as a mini-portrait of these three men during one year and a suite of battles. First the Siege of Boston. Fort Washington was surrendered in November, followed by the fall of Fort Lee without a fight.
Enlistments expired. Men were without training, gunpowder, arms or even shoes. Filth and disease were the norm. Only finally at Trenton in New Jersey on December 26, was there a significant win. The author reads his own audiobook. His voice is rather turbid, the effect being that occasionally I had difficulty hearing precisely what was said. The speed is slow, and I appreciated this. I liked how he read the quotes.
Through his inflection the listener can hear exactly why he chose the quotes he did; through his intonation one understand their relevance and they do not sound dated. Few authors can read their own books as well as McCullough does. I would not avoid the audiobook because he has chosen to read it himself. However, I must point out that it is very helpful to have maps. There are no PDF files accompanying this audiobook.
This book follows the entire war from start to finish, from Lexington to Yorktown. I wanted more. View all 26 comments. David McCullough's like a cozy Grandpa Historian: you just wanna sit in a circle and listen to all his stories, which is exactly the experience I had listening to the audiobook. Jul 24, Diane added it Recommends it for: Helen Keller. There wasn't a shelf for "Books I tried to read, and then failed at. I'm sure this makes me a bad person, moves me out of the running for the next Genius Award, reveals me as an uncultured, unsophisticated reader of comic books and advice columnists, etc etc.
Don't care. This book reminded me of a trip I took to Gettysburg when I was in 3rd grade There wasn't a shelf for "Books I tried to read, and then failed at. This book reminded me of a trip I took to Gettysburg when I was in 3rd grade - battlefield after battlefield of mind-numbing boredom. Aug 26, Roy Lotz rated it really liked it Shelves: americana , politics-by-other-means , one-damn-thing-after-another.
I do not know whether the fault lies in myself or in my education, but I often find myself astonishingly ignorant of American history among other things. Here is yet another case. Indeed, I had only the haziest notion of the conflict, and had seldom paused to give it much thought. This book is an excellent place to start a remedial education. McCullough writes what is basically a straightforward military history, focusing on strategy, leadership, and battles.
McCullough is a born storyteller and a master of narrative history, pulling the reader seamlessly into the past. There is little discussion of sources, hardly any authorial presence, and no analysis whatsoever. McCullough quotes liberally from diaries and letters, creating a kind of literary tapestry woven together by his gentle narration. The result is a masterful illusion: the feeling of being a spectator observing the historical scene unfold. Even so, the reader may be disappointed to find how much is left out of this book.
With his eye firmly fixed on the military situation, McCullough hardly touches on the drafting and signing of the Declaration of Independence, to give the most prominent omission.
Still, the reader may be disappointed to find how exclusively the narrative is focused on military matters. On the other hand, I thought that McCullough did well to include so much about the British side, which helps to prevent the book from becoming a silly patriotic romp. In short, this book is an admirable introduction to the Revolutionary War. It is basic information written in a strong hand. For any who find themselves as ignorant as I am, we must count ourselves lucky to have such a fine writer to help fill in the innumerable gaps in our education.
May 14, Wayne Barrett rated it it was amazing Shelves: war , non-fiction , military , history , politics , Learned a ton of details about this piece of history. It's amazing when you understand how some particular events, many times out of human hands, such as an unexpected storm, could change the course of history.
This is a good book for those who enjoy history. Feb 11, Tim Cook rated it really liked it Shelves: historical. This book was fascinating and compelling, told in an informative style that makes the reader feel present at the events themselves as is characteristic of McCullough. As a longtime Civil War enthusiast, I found I knew very little regarding the American Revolution, so this book proved to be a treasure trove of interesting facts.
The realism with which Washington is described, in both strengths and weaknesses, is a welcome contrast to the near-reverence seen in other texts.
But we the readers are also struck by the image of this same man, riding his horse into battle alongside his half-naked, untrained, starving "soldiers", and singlehandedly inspiring them to fight and die for our freedom. And the events of that fateful year take on even more significance when one realizes that, as McCullough points out, Washington and his contemporaries were essentially committing high treason.
Feb 02, Jim rated it really liked it Shelves: history , books-read I have read several of David McCullough 's books including John Adams and it is easy to see why he is called "America's storyteller". As the title suggests this novel focuses on the pivotal year of It is the story of both the British and the Americans, the events that took place and the major players in these events.
At the time Britain was probably the mightiest I have read several of David McCullough 's books including John Adams and it is easy to see why he is called "America's storyteller".
At the time Britain was probably the mightiest nation. They had one of the greatest armies and navies. In America there were many who were loyal to the King. Book Musical. Based on True Events. Tony Award Winners. Male Star Vehicle. Costume Rentals — The Theatre Company.
Full Marketplace. Show History. Critical Reaction. Further Reading. Resources No matter where you are on your theatrical journey, our innovative production resources will enhance your show experience! The ultimate book for theater lovers of all ages. Performance Accompaniment Recording. Reference Recording. Listen to a cast or demo recording before licensing your next musical. Manage ticket sales online and maximize your box office.
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More books from this author: David McCullough. See more by David McCullough. You may also like: Thriller and Mystery Staff Picks. Top review. Hugely enjoyable. I don't usually like musicals but I absolutely loved this. The songs were entertaining, the dialogue very witty and the acting was of an extremely high calibre - a cut above most films in my opinion.
I'm a big history buff and I studied early US history in college last year so I found the storyline, particularly the debates over the Declaration of Independence, fascinating. William Daniels as John Adams stole the show. He was the best actor in a very strong cast and I was captivated from the very first scene.
He has such a cool voice. But no matter what he's done in his career, he's always be Mr. Feeny to me! I've always admired the real John Adams to boot so he made an engaging protagonist. Howard de Silva as Benjamin Franklin was another definite highlight acting wise.
GusF Jan 4, FAQ What is " Who is Botticelli? Details Edit. Release date November 17, United States. United States.
Official site. Columbia Pictures. Box office Edit.
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