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)

New appreciation for our founding fathers

This book sheds much light on the trials, tribulations, and termoil that the men, and women, who founded this great nation faced. If it had not been for their steadfastness, and the intervention of the Almighty, We the People may well not have been. Such a good listen.

“The rest of the story”

I have a new appreciation for Independence Day, George Washington, & sacrifices made for the USA. I found it interesting to realize that people are really the same throughout history. Some give all & don’t give up; others are apathetic. Military strategies, successes, & failures were interesting. God’s hand is evident throughout.

Superb!

Using the words of the soldiers and participants in the Revolutionary War, David's clear, flowing writing style and impeccable vocal presentation make a compelling narrative of the birth of the United States

Enjoyed

An enjoyable listen. Narrated well. I was able to imagine the story while listening, and a part of the Revolutionary War came to life in my mind!

Brilliant, but incomplete

Perfect, yet feels like the middle part of a better book. Expects an understanding of past events without reminder as to what they were. The brilliance of David McCullough as both a narrator and an author cannot be understated, yet I can't help wishing he wrote about the entire war. The depth and detail of the happenings in 1776 is wonderful. Never felt too detailed or not detailed enough. The people involved really emerge as human beings rather than just faces from a history book. Also, notably fair-minded in regards to its representations of both the Americans and the British. Wanting more is really the ultimate compliment and I cannot recommend this book enough for what it is.

Inspiring

Not sure how any American can claim to love their country and not want to know about it's history. Mr. McCullough affords a perspective and the required level of detail to help one appreciate what it must have been like to be there in the shoes, or bloody feet, of the leaders and soldiers of the Revolution. He further provides factual clarification of so many misconceptions about the events around America's battle for independence that it completely changes my perspective.

It humbled me to learn that George Washington was highly flawed as a General but even more towering as a leader, statesman and man of character. His commitment to the cause despite the clear lack of public support, lack of resources and grim price to be paid for failure wraps fresh perspective around the issues we face today and the benchmark against which we should hold current leaders of this nation.

My favorite part of the book is certainly one of George Washington's low points when he has been forced to retreat from New York after a stunning defeat all the way back across to the PA side of the Delaware river. The cause looks totally lost. He is begging General Charles Lee to join him and consolidate their troops to hold off further advance by the British toward Philadelphia. He eventually receives a letter from Lee but it is addressed to his most trusted advisor and confidant, Joseph Reed, whom Washington had sent to Baltimore to meet with the Continental Congress. Expecting the letter to inform him of Lee's troop movement, Washington opens the letter only to find that it is a response to earlier correspondence from Reed indicting Washington on his prosecution of the war and suggesting Lee should prepare to assume responsibility as commander-in-chief. As McCullough says, has there ever been a moment when any man could have felt lonelier?

And yet, what is most remarkable is what Washington does next in response as he re-seals and forwards the letter on to Reed. It is one of the many reasons why he is the greatest American.

Audio Silences

Overall, this was a truly remarkable dip into our nation's history. I'm definitely delighted by the journey. However, there were some issues with silences and audio dropouts that caused me to rate this lower than I would have based upon the content and quality of deliverance.

Should be a text book

This book should be studied in schools at almost every level. Great honest telling of an often misrepresented part of history

Excellent and Engaging

An excellent delve into the American Revolution from the fall of 1775 through the winter of 1776-77. The author himself narrates it and does so engagingly. If there's a fault, it's just that there are a few words he doesn't enunciate well. But overall, excellent.

Superior Narration for an Excellent Book

Not only is McCullough an extremely highly-regarded, well-renowned and very accomplished scholar, he is an agreeable narrator and has the perfect tone and rhythm for this book. The book on its own is fascinating but having the author and historian himself read it makes the audio version a treasure. Very exciting narrative and I wish it went on for the entire length of the war rather than just the titular year!