1776

In 1776, acclaimed historian David McCullough delivers a gripping, human-centered account of the pivotal year that determined the fate of the American Revolution. With dramatic storytelling and meticulous research, McCullough brings to life the decisions, struggles, and courage that shaped the birth of the United States.

Rather than focusing solely on political leaders, 1776 tells the story of the men who fought beside General George Washington—ordinary citizens transformed into soldiers at a moment when the survival of the American cause hung in the balance. From farmers and schoolteachers to young boys thrust into war, their experiences reveal the extraordinary stakes and hardships of the Revolution’s earliest and most uncertain days.

McCullough also presents the British perspective, exploring the strategy and mindset of General William Howe and the disciplined redcoats who viewed the colonial rebels with contempt yet fought with formidable skill and determination. Drawing on extensive research in both American and British archives, the book vividly portrays the clash of empires, ideals, and personalities on both sides of the Atlantic.

Written with the narrative power of a novel and the authority of rigorous scholarship, 1776 stands as a landmark work of historical storytelling. A companion to McCullough’s celebrated biography of John Adams, this book offers an unforgettable portrait of a nation in its moment of greatest peril—and greatest promise.

Key Features

• Author: David McCullough
• Compelling narrative history of the American Revolution’s crucial first year
• Focus on George Washington and the soldiers who fought beside him
• Balanced perspective exploring both American and British leaders and armies
• Based on extensive archival research in the United States and Great Britain
• Written with dramatic storytelling and rich historical detail
• Companion work to David McCullough’s biography of John Adams
• Essential reading for enthusiasts of American history and military history