"Lincoln," a later president who presided over an equally momentous time in our history (written by David Herbert Donald) is a literal masterpiece. I'm reading 1776 presently, and it is excellent. Thanks for this video, it was well done.
I have just Discovered David McCullough and zi just finished 1776. I loved it. At first halfway through the book I thought, what? Americans losing? I was never taught the bad stuff of the American Revolution. But after finishing the book I loved it. I doubt that you read this comment 6 years later but I enjoyed your -this video. Thank you -James
I just now have gotten into reading. I recently finished my first book and now I'm about to dive into 1776. Thanks for solidifying my decision to read it!
There are 3 parts to this book. This book is 294 pages without the acknowledgements, source notes, the index; etc. There are other figures besides Washington, that are mentioned in this book. 1776 by David McCullough is a good book to read about the American Revolution. It's a good book to have in any library.
Now this is extremely late and doesn’t actually have to do with the Revolutionary War, but Lincoln the Unknown is one of my favorite books. It told me things about Abraham Lincoln that I couldn’t have even imagined.
Just completed reading 1776. Something major I took from it was the struggles Americans and Washington faced. It seemed, to me anyway, that the decision to fight for independence was a "no brainer" to the colonists and that Washington was a figure that was followed without question. In fact, colonists, Washington's men and even some of his officers often doubted him and doubted the cause in the early going. Washington, himself, even seemed to have a lot of self doubt.
Yes! That's something I love about these deeper accounts/biographies. You get a fuller picture of what was going on than we normally learned in school. I also read a biography of Washington (the review is on this channel) and he was FULL of doubt, (and made mistakes) but did his best to project confidence.
H. W. Brands is also a pretty great author. I like his newest book “Heirs of the fathers”. It’s about the rivalries between Henry Clay, Daniel Webster and John C. Calhoun
Good question. This is by no means a comprehensive overview of the war and what led up to it, but he does touch on a little bit of the "before 1776" story. I suspect he chose 1776 because that's the year people think of when they think of the Revolutionary War. So it sells more books. Haha.
Great question, I would like to find a book that explains the lead up to 1776 and what events took place in history that created the perfect storm. God bless you and I highly recommend "soldier secretary" by Christopher Miller
I commented on a comment down the list and said I wish I could find a book that explains the lead up to the revolutionary War and the events of 1776. Anyone reading this comment I recommend "Soldier Secretary" by Christopher Miller great great book
McCullough (and Nathaniel Philbrick) are my favorite mainstream authors covering early American history. 1776 (and Philbrick's Mayflower) were absolute "gateway books" for me. John Adams is on my short list and I was saddened to hear of his passing a few months ago.
That would depend what part of American history you want to focus on. This is a pretty good general overview of the early revolutionary war… But it does not cover any more than that.
@@archana2058 I would recommend the book, Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era by James M. McPherson. Though I haven't read this book, this book is regarded as the best one-volume history of the American Civil War.
Actually, I might recommend reading them like this: 1776, then Washington, then John Adams. I actually recently finished "Washington: A Life" by Ron Chernow, so I'll have a new review soon.
Have you read Ideological origins of the American Revolution by Bernad Baylin. Also Ron chernow Alexander Hamilton.. Finally any other books i want to take in all the revolution :)
Yes, I've read Hamilton, and it's great! It's also Chernow...so you get a LOT of facts and firsthand accounts...but it's not as captivating as the narrative that McCullough weaves in his books. I will have to check out the other book you recommended! Fun to find a kindred spirit...I love the Revolutionary War Era!
What makes someone a "real" historian? His Yale degree is in Literature, but he has dedicated his life to writing exclusively historical/biographical books. I'd rather read a book by someone who knows how to write, who happens to specialize in researching history to create a Biography than read a book by someone who specialized in history but doesn't know how to write. Plus, I don't think anyone is questioning the accuracy of his writing/research. He's widely regarded as one of the best "historians" of our day. Definitely one of the most enjoyable to read. Just my two cents. Thanks for watching!
That's fair. He doesn't have a degree in history, but I guess In thinking of the other part of the definition: "an expert in OR STUDENT OF history, especially that of a particular period, geographical region, or social phenomenon."
LittleImpaler they still call him a historian because he writes exclusively about history. You kinda have to do research to write history so he’s not a professional historian but falls under being one.
@@kensword73 That doesn't make him a historian. There's a lot people that call people a historian that are not historians. As I said a historian is someone who went to school to become a historian. Their creditals say what kind of history they have studied. The people who do those Great Courses are historians. So, this man works has to be taken with grain of salt since he writes history fiction.
"Lincoln," a later president who presided over an equally momentous time in our history (written by David Herbert Donald) is a literal masterpiece. I'm reading 1776 presently, and it is excellent. Thanks for this video, it was well done.
I read "Team of Rivals" about Lincoln too. He was amazing! Thanks for watching.
Personally, I liked the British perspective that was included in this book. No war is ever one-sided.
Good point! Thanks for sharing.
I have just Discovered David McCullough and zi just finished 1776. I loved it. At first halfway through the book I thought, what? Americans losing? I was never taught the bad stuff of the American Revolution. But after finishing the book I loved it. I doubt that you read this comment 6 years later but I enjoyed your -this video. Thank you -James
I just got John Adams for a dollar at a thrift store! Happy to see the great reviews it has gotten and looking forward to reading it.
+ladynottingham89 it really is excellent! Enjoy it!
Wow! That's an excellent buy!
I just now have gotten into reading. I recently finished my first book and now I'm about to dive into 1776. Thanks for solidifying my decision to read it!
It's a great one! Enjoy!
QJR You can never read too many books, it’s like having too much money. What are you reading now?
There are 3 parts to this book. This book is 294 pages without the acknowledgements, source notes, the index; etc. There are other figures besides Washington, that are mentioned in this book. 1776 by David McCullough is a good book to read about the American Revolution. It's a good book to have in any library.
Now this is extremely late and doesn’t actually have to do with the Revolutionary War, but Lincoln the Unknown is one of my favorite books. It told me things about Abraham Lincoln that I couldn’t have even imagined.
Thanks for the recommendation! I love Lincoln and learned a ton in "Team of Rivals"...I'll check out this one too.
Picked this up at my local thrift store, was hooked immediately and been listening ever since, never was into history much in high school.
Just completed reading 1776. Something major I took from it was the struggles Americans and Washington faced.
It seemed, to me anyway, that the decision to fight for independence was a "no brainer" to the colonists and that Washington was a figure that was followed without question.
In fact, colonists, Washington's men and even some of his officers often doubted him and doubted the cause in the early going. Washington, himself, even seemed to have a lot of self doubt.
Yes! That's something I love about these deeper accounts/biographies. You get a fuller picture of what was going on than we normally learned in school. I also read a biography of Washington (the review is on this channel) and he was FULL of doubt, (and made mistakes) but did his best to project confidence.
H. W. Brands is also a pretty great author. I like his newest book “Heirs of the fathers”. It’s about the rivalries between Henry Clay, Daniel Webster and John C. Calhoun
That sounds great! I'll look into it. Thank you.
I am about to start on the book. I just finished the century trilogy by Ken Follett..it was wonderful!! Thanks for sharing!!
I'm doing some research and I'm wondering why he chose to highlight 1776 instead of starting when the revelution started in 1775.
Good question. This is by no means a comprehensive overview of the war and what led up to it, but he does touch on a little bit of the "before 1776" story. I suspect he chose 1776 because that's the year people think of when they think of the Revolutionary War. So it sells more books. Haha.
Great question, I would like to find a book that explains the lead up to 1776 and what events took place in history that created the perfect storm. God bless you and I highly recommend "soldier secretary" by Christopher Miller
McCullough can turn a non reader into a reader. I had a hard time putting this book down. The same with John Adams.
I commented on a comment down the list and said I wish I could find a book that explains the lead up to the revolutionary War and the events of 1776. Anyone reading this comment I recommend "Soldier Secretary" by Christopher Miller great great book
I have to read this and do a book report on it
You will enjoy! I listened to the audio book, so it went a little bit faster.
Will you upload more?
His excellency by Joseph J. Ellis. Great biography of Washington.
Thank you for the recommendation!
McCullough (and Nathaniel Philbrick) are my favorite mainstream authors covering early American history. 1776 (and Philbrick's Mayflower) were absolute "gateway books" for me. John Adams is on my short list and I was saddened to hear of his passing a few months ago.
Thanks for the Mayflower recommendation! I’ll have to check it out!
Older guy says: Gulag by Solzhenitzyn favorite in the genre.
The purist approach (non-partisan) was very refreshing. I liked 1776 best, myself
I hadn't thought of it that way...great point!
can you tell any other book for American history i am not American
That would depend what part of American history you want to focus on. This is a pretty good general overview of the early revolutionary war… But it does not cover any more than that.
@@MarkReviews civil war
@@archana2058 I would recommend the book, Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era by James M. McPherson. Though I haven't read this book, this book is regarded as the best one-volume history of the American Civil War.
Should i read john adams and washingtons bios then 1776?
Actually, I might recommend reading them like this: 1776, then Washington, then John Adams. I actually recently finished "Washington: A Life" by Ron Chernow, so I'll have a new review soon.
Thank you so much Mark.
Have you read Ideological origins of the American Revolution by Bernad Baylin. Also Ron chernow Alexander Hamilton..
Finally any other books i want to take in all the revolution :)
Yes, I've read Hamilton, and it's great! It's also Chernow...so you get a LOT of facts and firsthand accounts...but it's not as captivating as the narrative that McCullough weaves in his books. I will have to check out the other book you recommended! Fun to find a kindred spirit...I love the Revolutionary War Era!
Is he a real historian? Or an just an author of fiction. No where in his creditals does it say he studied any form of American history.
What makes someone a "real" historian? His Yale degree is in Literature, but he has dedicated his life to writing exclusively historical/biographical books.
I'd rather read a book by someone who knows how to write, who happens to specialize in researching history to create a Biography than read a book by someone who specialized in history but doesn't know how to write.
Plus, I don't think anyone is questioning the accuracy of his writing/research. He's widely regarded as one of the best "historians" of our day. Definitely one of the most enjoyable to read.
Just my two cents. Thanks for watching!
@@MarkReviews Having a degree in Literature does not make one a historian. A historian has degrees in a certain history.
That's fair. He doesn't have a degree in history, but I guess In thinking of the other part of the definition:
"an expert in OR STUDENT OF history, especially that of a particular period, geographical region, or social phenomenon."
LittleImpaler they still call him a historian because he writes exclusively about history. You kinda have to do research to write history so he’s not a professional historian but falls under being one.
@@kensword73 That doesn't make him a historian. There's a lot people that call people a historian that are not historians. As I said a historian is someone who went to school to become a historian. Their creditals say what kind of history they have studied. The people who do those Great Courses are historians. So, this man works has to be taken with grain of salt since he writes history fiction.
Was definitely a good book about 1776. Look how peaceful and happy that guy is in the age of Trump. The good old days.