1776

By: David McCullough

Narrated by: David McCullough

Length: 11 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

The darkest hours of that tumultuous year were as dark as any Americans have known. Especially in our own tumultuous time, 1776 is powerful testimony to how much is owed to a rare few in that brave founding epoch, and what a miracle it was that things turned out as they did.

Written as a companion work to his celebrated biography of John Adams, David McCullough's 1776 is another landmark in the literature of American history.

©2005 David McCullough (P)2005 Simon and Schuster Inc. AUDIOWORKS is an imprint of Simon and Schuster Audio Division, Simon and Schuster Inc.

Critic reviews

• 2005 Audie Award Nominee, Narration by the Author
• 2005 Publishers Weekly Listen Up Award, Nonfiction

"A first-rate historical account." (Booklist)

"A narrative tour de force, exhibiting all the hallmarks the author is known for: fascinating subject matter, expert research, and detailed, graceful prose.... Simply put, this is history writing at its best from one of its top practitioners." (Publishers Weekly)

"A stirring and timely work, reminding us that it's soldiers rather than 'tavern patriots and windy politicians' who have always paid the price of American idealism and determined its successes. (The New York Times)

A book you will listen to again and again

Wonderful writing and narration. I am buying more David McCullough books right now. History comes alive with this book. S

Awesome - no doubt about it.

Any person having the slightest enjoyment of history will be pleasantly surprised by this book. The author, who is one of the best, has written a well thought out, understandable piece of literature. You will enjoy the historical facts and how they are presented and narrated. Recommend it highly.

Every U.S. citizen should listen to this book!

Humbling and inspiring to understand the struggles that Americans have endured for the freedoms we take for granted!

FIRST RATE HISTORY

I am a huge David McCullough fan and I loved that he is the reader of his own wonderful writing. I would highly recommend 1776 to anyone who likes a darn good historical yarn—it feels like the best tale your own grandfather would tell...

couldn't stop listening

I almost got fired for listening to this at work when I was suppose to be working.

A great read?

This selection is so packed with information that it is difficult to take it in if you are doing other things while listening, even driving. It really requires all of your attention. It was a really good listen, but it might be a better read due to really needing to concentrate.

great story with incredible detail.

wish the author didn't write like he was in 1776, it's hard enough to understand the quotes from that era, didn't need him to write as if he was there too.

A passionate and well written book.

This book kept me much interested and engaged to the story of the 1776 military campaign led by Commander in chief, General Washington.

Good stuff

You can't beat this author for narration. He has the best voice. The story itself dragged in parts, and I thought he rambled at length on some things, but overall it was really interesting and he painted such a vivid picture of some of the most famous moments in the beginning of our country's history. I highly recommend!

Should be required reading for every High School

This audiobook while somewhat dry while listening to, is well worth your time. It truly deipicts the remarkable incidents and indomitable human spirit that brought this great nation through the pains of its birth. In this era where lesser men think themselves brilliant intellectuals by quibbling over the minutiae of our founding fathers minor failings, this book stands and stark contrast showing the actions, not words, of greater men. It should be required reading for every high school student in this great nation, and it should be read again by every man during his basic training in our military.