2008-08-17 Splendid Popular History of American Revolution's Most Important Year

David McCullough's "1776" is not only an important addition to the historical literature devoted to the American Revolution, but may be the definitive account of how crucial the events of this year were to the eventual success of the American Revolution itself. McCullough's relatively terse tome is a gripping account of this pivotal year, told mainly from the viewpoint of the average soldiers in the Continental Army. However, its most moving portraits are those of the two Georges who are - figuratively speaking - polar opposites representing both sides of this bloody contest; King George III and of course, George Washington. McCullough's portrait of the Hanoverian British king is more flattering than I have encountered in previous histories devoted to the American Revolution; a far more impressive, three-dimensional portrait of King George as an astute patron of the arts and as someone who had fervently wished that this war would not be fought, but nonetheless failed to acknowledge the serious grievances of his "petulant children" - those of the rebelling Americans. Furthermore, McCullough's portrait of the king includes a fascinating glimpse into the internal politics within the prime ministership of Frederick, Lord North, and his relations with Parliament, especially with the House of Commons. McCullough's portrayal of George Washington is also of ample interest, depicting a commander-in-chief beset by doubt regarding the success of the American Revolution, yet still valiantly trying to project a positive outlook to both his subordinates and the Continental Congress.

McCullough begins his saga with Washington, newly arrived from Philadelphia, surveying his disorganized rabble of an army, soon after the Battle of Bunker Hill (Part I The Siege). McCullough observes that Washington's best trait was as an astute judge of men, by choosing two superb officers, Brigadier General Nathaniel Greene, and Colonel - later, Brigadier General - Henry Knox, as members of his immediate staff (Both Greene and Knox would be the only generals, along with Washington, who would serve in the Continental Army during the entire American Revolution.). McCullough's gripping yarn continues with the Continental Army laying siege to British-occupied Boston. Not only are we introduced to the tactical geniuses of Greene and Knox, but we are given vivid portraits of the other senior American military leaders, most notably General Israel Putnam. He also excels in describing the daily lives of the besieged British troops and American Loyalists in Boston, offering among the most sympathetic portrayals of them which I've come across.

The second part of "1776" (Part II: Fateful Summer) revolves around the Continental Army's ineffective - and ultimately disastrous - defense of New York City in the face of invading British and German (Hessian) troops commanded by Major General Sir William Howe, soon after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. McCullough notes that this invading force was the largest ever mounted by the British Empire against North America, and through eyewitness accounts, describes the disastrous Battle of Long Island (Known later as the Battle of Brooklyn, since this is where it was fought primarily; this is the name McCullough uses herein.), as seen from the perspective of both the Americans and British. One of the most moving passages describes General Lord Stirling's heroic defense of the Continental Army's outermost perimeter near Gowanus Creek, in which his Marylanders fought a tenacious delaying action that held up the British advance through westernmost Long Island (now the Brooklyn neighborhoods of Caroll Gardens, Red Hook and Park Slope) towards the Continental Army's fortifications (in Brooklyn Heights). Most of the men - including Lord Stirling - were captured, wounded or killed, with only a handful returning safely to the American lines. He also poignantly depicts the miraculous evacuation of Washington's army across the East River in a successful tactical retreat back to York (Manhattan) Island.

The final section of "1776" (Part III: The Long Retreat) opens with the British landing at Kips Bay, just as the Continental Army evacuates New York City, heading north to the vicinity of White Plains (Although a substantial force is left behind on York Island, stationed at Fort Washington, overlooking the Hudson, in northern Manhattan, now the site of Fort Tryon Park.). In the first of the final two chapters, the events leading to the disastrous loss of Fort Washington and the surrender of over three thousand men are recounted via McCullough's vivid prose. Miraculously, the British Army opts not to pursue the ragtag remnants of Washington's army - the largest remaining contingent of the Continental Army - allowing it to evacuate safely across the Hudson to New Jersey. This, in turn, sets the stage for the surprising victories at Trenton on December 26th and at Princeton on January 2nd, which help turn the tide of the conflict in favor of Washington and his Continental Army.

McCullough has made a persuasive argument for the survival of Washington and the Continental Army as the main reason why the United States ultimately won its independence from the British Empire. This is a compelling case made through Washington's correspondence, that of some of his generals and other senior aides, and commentary by the average soldier which McCullough cites repeatedly. Once more McCullough has demonstrated that he is the master of narrative history told via eyewitness accounts, rendered via his superb, descriptive prose. Without any doubt, I have found "1776" to be among the most memorable nonfiction books published in 2006.