1776bookreview-bstrange

[1776bookreview-bstrange]

Book Rating

If I had to give this book a rating, I would give it a 4.5/5! The story keeps you very engaged by adding suspense and cliffhangers. Additionally it goes into such extensive details about each event and adds real quotes from history to help convey the theme and messages clearly and concisely. The only reason this story didn't receive five stars was that at times the story did get slow and repetitive, but other than that I'd definitely recommend to history and detail lovers!

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Book Takeaways

What I took away from the story was that the Revolutionary War was so much more complex than just a few battles and the Americans are the good guys and the British are the bad. I learned much more about the actual thought process and behind the scenes of the war and its generals. But I'd say the biggest takeaway I had was that the set curriculum for teaching the Revolutionary War is too broad and only covers the surface of the war that is so much more complex than how it is taught.

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Story Summary

The story truly does an amazing job of going into great detail and gives the true play-by-play of the Revolutionary War and the events that occurred. For each event, we get a very descriptive overview of the event with who's there, why are they there, when were they there, each sides opposing thoughts and feelings, and each opposing sides governments thoughts. It truly shows the back and forth aspect of the war with one side thriving and the other in squalor for an event or period of time, and then evidently switching roles. Each event has its own role and the war and the story ensures we know the gravity and the consequences of each event.

We begin with the Americans losing Boston and other key locations such as Bunker Hill and Dorchester Heights. They then band together to form the rag-tag Continental Army led by the veteran General Washington. They divide their resources with a forth going to Canada and losing, a forth holding a siege on Boston, a forth going to Fort Ticonderoga to capture artillery and other weaponry to transport to the last forth, which had the successful goal of capturing Dorchester Heights. With these events, the British were eventually forced out of Boston allowing the Continental Army time to regroup, resupply, and form a strategy to combat the fast-approaching doubled British force. Once they return, the two armies go back and forth with constant ambushing back and forth which resulted in the Continental Army withdrawing from their key position of New York by the end of the second part. We end with the Americans and Britsh trading shots back and forth all leading up the battle of Yorktown and blockading of Chesapeake Bay resulting in the Americans winning the war and being free of British rule and their army invading their newly fought for country.

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Perspective Quotes

"We are fighting for our Country, for prosperity perhaps. On the success of this campaign the happiness or misery of millions may depend." - Henry Knox to his wife Lucy

This quote truly shows that even in a conversation between a general and his wife the The Revolutionary War is such a "heavy" topic with people understanding that the outcome will determine the future for millions, including themselves.

"The troops hold them very cheap, and long for an opportunity of revenging the cause of their countrymen who fell at Bunker Hill." - Ambrose Serle on British Troops morale

This quote represents that this war wasn't as "black and white" as displayed, there were more driving factors than just freedom and no more monarchy, people would fight for revenge, their families, money, etc.

"Quit yourselves like men, like soldiers, I will fight so long as I have a leg or an arm." - George Washington to his soldiers during the assault of New York

This quote shows that the military leadership was very different on both sides. The British leaders would stay in their tents and "pull strings" while the Continental leaders were on the front lines with their men inspiring and fighting with them.

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Story Theme

The theme I received from the book 1776 is that anything is possible with persistence, and heart. Throughout the entire story, we see constant reminders of the Continental Army's supplies deficit. From each soldier being able to have no more than 6 reloads at one time, to an armada of flat and Durham river boats for their navy. We can see a clear lack in almost everything for the Continental Army, except persistence and heart. We are repeatedly reminded in the story that we can't give up, this is our nation and we must fight for it! There were most certainly low points for the Continental Army such as the Winter Siege of Boston, but no matter the circumstances, surrender was never in question. With the persistence and heart from the Continental Army's leadership and soldiers, they were able to defeat the worlds strongest Army and Navy, that just goes right back to the theme of anything is possible with persistence and heart.

Shirts worn by Continental Army Leaders to promote persistence and full-heart effort during the war. (Just kidding)

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Character Development (British Army)

General Howe: General Howe, one of the most decorated British generals of the time is spearheading the attack on the rebels of the Americas. His army has more men, more guns, more supplies, more ships, more gun powder, more funding, and more military experience. They basically just had more everything. Due to this General Howe expected the war to be a breeze and what he got was an underdog army that put his world-class army to shame multiple times. With all that happened, Howe returned to England to always be known as the most well-equipped general who could not defeat a rag-tag rebellion. By the end of the story Howe realizes that no enemy should be underestimated and nothing is guaranteed, even when you have every advantage.

General William Howe, Commander in Chief of the British Army

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Character Development (Continental Army)

George Washington: George Washington, the decorated war veteran not residing in his Mt. Vernon estate is named the new General of the Continental Army. Washington did not want this position but evidently gave in and accepted the weight of his new role. Early on Washington's goal was clear; slowly deteriorate the British through constant pressure, from constant battles. While this tactic may have seemed plausible, Washington's "Flame of War" was constantly extinguished by his War Council. Additionally, he came to a realization of the consequences of his decisions in the first battle he took physical part in; the ambush on New York. By the end of the story he is more level headed, he is more careful with his decisions being sure to review the consequences, and he accepts that not everything can be won with just aggressive persistence.

George Washington, Commander in Chief of the Continental Army

Nathanael Greene: The Rhode Island born general Nathanael Greene had some spunk. He was the victor in a variety of key battles, commanded one of the more notorious battalions during the war, held a seat on Washington's War Council, and was one of the youngest generals of his time, he was unstoppable. Later in the war he was bed stricken with a horrible illness almost killing him. After weeks of sickness, he was back in the action with his men, but with a different perspective. Life isn't a guarantee, and no one is unstoppable, including him.

Nathanael Greene, Commander of the Southern Departments of the Continental Army

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Historical and Context Setting

The year is 1776, the newly declared nation America is now coming to the realization their freedom is going to come at a cost. With the British and Continental Armies going back and forth by trading skirmishes, fighting over key positions, and gaining/losing supplies. This led to a slower start than anticipated for this war. Throughout the story we see each side occupying many different settings. From the huge cities of New York, Boston, and New Jersey, to the strategic locations of Dorchester Heights, Fort Ticonderoga, and the surrounding hills of Boston. We see each side's military leaders decision making process when moving to new locations and each of the pros and cons are revealed by the speaker.

The British have the clear military superiority and the Americans are at severe disadvantage, so why attack? The Americans have been under the constant pressure of the British Parliament. Between the ever-increasing taxes, to the mistreatment of outliers of the British control, Americans felt forced into a corner and chose fight over flight. We see the morale and will to fight of both armies soar and diminish throughout the story as key battles are covered. While the story does cover the basics of the war, everything is thrust into another level of detail and revelations are made on multiple topics making this Historical Context and Setting breathtaking.

General Washington and members of his War Council overlooking the British Occupied Boston from their newly taken position of Dorchester Heights.