Reddit reviews 1776

> Any recommendations on where to start with American history?

Depends on what you like. If you like philosophy read Common Sense and The Federalist Papers. They basically lay out why Americans think and act the way they do.

If you like characters and battles then start right with the American Revolution itself. 1776 by David McCullough is without a doubt the best book on the Revolution. It's a bit slow at first, but becomes very immersive as it goes on.

If you really like the Revolutionary War then pick up Baron Von Steuben's Revolutionary War Drill Manual for insight as to how the battles were fought from a technical standpoint. It talks about battle formations, how soldiers should carry their muskets, the responsibilities of each rank, and more. This isn't really required reading for understanding American history, but if the Revolutionary War captivates you then you'll like this too.

yeah, if you believe the book 1776 many of the soldiers in the revolutionary war were compelled into service, experienced horrible privation throughout the entire campaign (scarce food, unclean water, some didn't even have boots in the winter), and had to trade the land they were granted as renumeration for their service just to get a ride back home. If you believe Howard Zinn lower and middle class men have a long history of something hard not to call oppression.

I really enjoyed 1776 by David McCullough. Did an excellent job conveying just how precarious the revolution was at its beginning and how at so many points one different decision could have altered things drastically, also just a great read.

Not necessarily a response to the question but a suggested reading on the topic.


1776 by David McCullough

Awesome book!

If we're talking McCullough and the American Revolution, you've got to mention 1776. I would definitely start there. For a look at one of the major battles of the southern theater, and a general look at how strategy and tactics differed there as opposed to in the north I recommend A Devil of a Whipping.

I remember a while back, I had to read 1776 by David McCullough for school, which, if you haven't read it, is a really detailed historical account of the American Revolution. I mostly remember that, like most international political issues, I had trouble following everything that was going on at once. Very interesting and informative read, though.

1776 by David McCullough is a really excellent read, covering the year that American Independence was won. The book basically follows Washington and the Continental army throughout this pivotal year, also touching on the perspectives of key British generals. McCullough includes many anecdotes and excerpts from Washington's personal letters that give the reader an intimate perception of Washington the man, not just the general.

McCullough has also written a number of highly successful biographies of various Founding Fathers you could look into too.

It depends on what you're interested in.

Great War for Civilisation is full of fascinating stories from a war correspondent covering the middle east; he interviewed Bin Laden several times before 9/11 among other things. The book is long, but it brings the conflicts to your doorstep and takes you behind the scenes where the media is often restricted from going. Be warned of the size and content though. It is gruesome in most places, and provides a very realistic account of what goes on daily over there.

1776 tells the story of the American revolution, concentrating on the battles and the men who fought them. It is written extremely well. If you have any interest whatsoever in the founding fathers, the characters behind the revolution, or even just a good story, read it and you shouldn't be disappointed.

Short History of Nearly Everything basically takes everything you're interested in that is science related, condenses it all into discrete explanations, and combines the whole to present a great reading experience. It's a bit like doing for science what "A People's History of the United States" did for history. It all feels genuine.

Those are a few I have particularly enjoyed.

I recommend learning the history of America's founding, like the Revolution and Constitution. If he has time, read 1776. Also check out the Revolutions podcast, and just skip to the part about the American Revolution.

You will have to suffer my historical bias here.

• Washington
  
• Lincoln
  
• Theodore Roosevelt
  
• Adams
  
• Jefferson
  
• McNamara
  
• Kissinger
  
• Albright
  
• Nixon
  
• 1776
  
• Founding Brothers
  
  The Roosevelt biography is very good. The last two are general history of the creation of the US.

Before anyone decides where they stand in relation to gun control in America, I'd suggest that they at least read a bit into the history and founding of America.

This is a great book and easy read by a Pulitzer Prize winning author:

https://www.amazon.com/1776-David-McCullough/dp/0743226720

I've got my own opinions of course, but give that book a read and come to your own conclusions.

I have to recommend this wonderful book by David McCullough. Lots of great insights into Washington's thinking. https://www.amazon.com/1776-David-McCullough/dp/0743226720