(2005)Very good history that follows George Washington and the continental army from its losses in Boston to New York to finally a victory in New Jersey at Christmas.

Everyone who grew up in the halcyon days of post-war America knows the very abbreviated story of our break with England and our Revolution. From its beginning in Boston to Washington's Presidency. It's mostly told as folk tales, familiar names made glorious warriors and others debased with evil malcontent.

Once you reach adulthood, you understand that it was a lot more complicated, but given the constraints of interest and time, most don't give our revolution another thought. I think much of that is because so many of us learned dates, locations, and names by memorization. Historical knowledge was boring and forgotten directly after graduation.

But war is never simple. It's always about people and their blood, lives, and terrible suffering. McCullough makes the first year of the American Revolution real. It's a war. It was the loss of sons, fathers, brothers, and friends for a cause that was not universally supported.

I'm glad that I have given history books another try this year. I've been enjoying them more than I thought I would.
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Incredible the amount of detail author David McCullough is able to muster to flesh out this very compelling story of the struggle of 1776. I learned a lot, and developed a much deeper appreciation for some of the key battles and skirmishes of the American Revolution. From a literary perspective, the story wanes between pages of slightly too much detail to moments of sheer tension and enlightenment. McCullough tells a very human story, focusing on the known facts surrounding key characters, like Nathanael Greene, Charles Lee, Henry Clinton, Charles Cornwallis, William Howe, and George Washington. Highly recommend it for anyone interested in the period. ( )

Still a 5 star read. Quick and dirty about the few ups and many downs of the colonial army in 1776. ( )

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I think it's a miracle that America came into being so long ago. Everything was against us. Our army was so pitiful, but they had enormous heart and determination. I feel blessed to live here. A top read for 2023. ( )