1776 Book Report

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The book 1776 by David McCullough tells the story of the military aspects of the American Revolution. McCullough writes the book from both the British and American point of views, creating a better understanding of what both sides were undergoing during the war. Not only does he have a degree from Yale, but McCullough has also been awarded with the nations highest civilian award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In addition to this, he has been awarded the Pulitzer Prize twice. He has also written multiple other non-fiction historical books and biographies such as Truman, The Great Bridge and John Adams. Further, McCullough has lectured in all parts of the country including the White House and Congress. The story begins with descriptions of George Washington, Nathaniel Greene and Henry Knox. The author describes the men’s prior experiences and backgrounds, and how they became generals in the war. Based off the descriptions in the story, the men are described as normal, everyday men who devoted their lives to a cause they believed in. The general’s lack of prior experience leads to an unprepared Continental Army. The first battle described in the story is the Siege of Boston. The author discusses the military fortifications the British put in the city, which the colonists saw as a direct attack against them. The Continental Army managed to seize tons of cannons and artillery from the British army all without them knowing. Later that week, the Continental Army woke the British by firing at them, causing the British to retreat. The army soon began to transform from the small Continental Army to an army that posed a great threat to the greatest military power of the time. McCullough goes on to explain the battles of Brooklyn, Kips Bay, White Plains, and Fort Washington, all of which were loses for the Continental Army. Because of these loses, the enlistments in
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