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)

Dorchester Heights

just amazing learning the views and opinions of both sides and how the odds were against these rebels for freedom

Good Book, a few audio production issues

I liked the book. Certainly was eye opening regarding our American Revolution history.

I only have mild annoyances with the production that would have long ~10 second pauses every 30-40 minutes.

Great

Really interesting book. some of the stories in it are pretty amazing, and I love all the historical accuracy.

Great Historical Read!

Great Historical Read! Great insight to our forefathers and how our nation came to be.

Heroes who saved America

Poorly clad, freezing, hungry men marched almost barefooted through a nor'easter to surround Trenton and start America on its way to being a country.

Education with Context

Patriotism is a virtue. Most especially patriotism is virtuous when your country fights for an honored cause. What I enjoyed most about this book was that it showed the humanity and point of view of both sides. Not everything is roses in history as we would like to think but the work men did to win victories for our new country was right and just. The fight of America is not simply political but the fight of every human as we all fight daily against bad habits even if said habits are the status quo. Freedom to make a life what we wish, freedom from sin, freedom to worship the Lord, these are “accidents” of the labor within the mind and the body to enable persons to live freely within a society to pursue what God called them to and to take care of their fellow neighbor. FYI: This book is worth to price but I did use my monthly book token or coin, whatever it’s called.

bitter sweet reality of politics

great story of human courage to acquire a place in history. look around are you willing to give so much?
today in America is a gift, invest yourself as you are grateful!!!
good read !

A Year More Americans Need to Understand Better

From my early days in school our country's early days have been a time I have been intensely interested in. Most of the time I have either been told the deeply patriotic or pathetically hateful accounts, this book is a much more balanced look. The Revolution was based on correct principles, but as with all things based in human beings was flawed, sometimes deeply. The author weaves all the truths in a rich manner that leaves the reader much better informed and all the more inspired to continue the good fight started that year if not so well understood by hardly anyone living it let alone in latter generations.

Another Great David McCullough Book

This, like all of his books, is well researched and well written. He does a good job including details but not excessively so the main story line is kept. This book follows the struggle between the colonies in America and Britain

wow

so good, and we'll written and read! Great historical account of the arduous path the continental army took to establish America.