1776

Amazon.com

Esteemed historian David McCullough covers the military side of the momentous year of 1776 with characteristic insight and a gripping narrative, adding new scholarship and a fresh perspective to the beginning of the American Revolution. It was a turbulent and confusing time. As British and American politicians struggled to reach a compromise, events on the ground escalated until war was inevitable. McCullough writes vividly about the dismal conditions that troops on both sides had to endure, including an unusually harsh winter, and the role that luck and the whims of the weather played in helping the colonial forces hold off the world's greatest army. He also effectively explores the importance of motivation and troop morale--a tie was as good as a win to the Americans, while anything short of overwhelming victory was disheartening to the British, who expected a swift end to the war. The redcoat retreat from Boston, for example, was particularly humiliating for the British, while the minor American victory at Trenton was magnified despite its limited strategic importance.

Some of the strongest passages in 1776 are the revealing and well-rounded portraits of the Georges on both sides of the Atlantic. King George III, so often portrayed as a bumbling, arrogant fool, is given a more thoughtful treatment by McCullough, who shows that the king considered the colonists to be petulant subjects without legitimate grievances--an attitude that led him to underestimate the will and capabilities of the Americans. At times he seems shocked that war was even necessary. The great Washington lives up to his considerable reputation in these pages, and McCullough relies on private correspondence to balance the man and the myth, revealing how deeply concerned Washington was about the Americans' chances for victory, despite his public optimism. Perhaps more than any other man, he realized how fortunate they were to merely survive the year, and he willingly lays the responsibility for their good fortune in the hands of God rather than his own. Enthralling and superbly written, 1776 is the work of a master historian. --Shawn Carkonen

The Other 1776
With his riveting, enlightening accounts of subjects from Johnstown Flood to John Adams, David McCullough has become the historian that Americans look to most to tell us our own story. In his Amazon.com interview, McCullough explains why he turned in his new book from the political battles of the Revolution to the battles on the ground, and he marvels at some of his favorite young citizen soldiers who fought alongside the remarkable General Washington.

The Essential David McCullough

John Adams
Truman
Mornings on Horseback

The Path Between the Seas
The Great Bridge
The Johnstown Flood

More Reading on the Revolution

The Great Improvisation by Stacy Schiff
Washington's Crossing by David Hackett Fischer
His Excellency: George Washington by Joseph J. Ellis

Washington's General by Terry Golway
Iron Tears by Stanley Weintraub
Victory at Yorktown by Richard M. Ketchum

Book Description

In this stirring audiobook, David McCullough tells the intensely human story of those who marched with General George Washington in the year of the Declaration of Independence -- when the whole American cause was riding on their success, without which all hope for independence would have been dashed and the noble ideals of the Declaration would have amounted to little more than words on paper.

Based on extensive research in both American and British archives, 1776 is the story of Americans in the ranks, men of every shape, size, and color, farmers, schoolteachers, shoemakers, no-accounts, and mere boys turned soldiers. And it is the story of the British commander, William Howe, and his highly disciplined redcoats who looked on their rebel foes with contempt and fought with a valor too little known. But it is the American commander-in-chief who stands foremost -- Washington, who had never before led an army in battle.

The darkest hours of that tumultuous year were as dark as any Americans have known. Especially in our own tumultuous time, 1776 is powerful testimony to how much is owed to a rare few in that brave founding epoch, and what a miracle it was that things turned out as they did.

Written as a companion work to his celebrated biography of John Adams, David McCullough's 1776 is another landmark in the literature of American history.

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"In this stirring book, David McCullough tells the intensely human story of those who marched with General George Washington in the year of the Declaration of Independence -- when the whole American cause was riding on their success, without which all hope for independence would have been dashed and the noble ideals of the Declaration would have amounted to little more than words on paper. Written as a companion work to his celebrated biography of John Adams, David McCullough's 1776 is another landmark in the literature of American history. "

Customer Reviews:

Excellent analysis.......2007-10-15

This is a terrific book that brings some of the most dramatic moments in the war of independence to life. If you're interested in how this country started, this is a good book to read.

"If We can Keep It" - quote of the Forefathers.......2007-10-13

It's people like David McCullough that manage to bring American History alive once more.

I remember sitting in American History class, bored to tears by the dryness of the whole thing, knowing it was vastly important, yet no stimulus was forthcoming from the instructors, further compounded by being too young to care. Perhaps, most of us just need to get older to appreciate what we have, what was given us by our predecessors, but whatever the reason, David McCullough opened the door of my jaded imagination to a vibrantly alive century long past, full of real people, feet of clay, possessing all the human frailties, yet coming together across racial, social, and intellectual lines, doing an impossible job against all odds, under the worst possible conditions, and triumphing in the end simply because they refused to recognize defeat, even as it surrounded them from every direction.

Two facts that starkly stand out in the whole mix: The patriots Knox and Greene, neither of them gentlemen by birth in the accepted way, possessing no great wealth, nor education, became two of the major components behind Washington that granted him the victory. Perhaps in other times, they, endowed of such natural talent would have been entirely overlooked. American ingenuity, one of our greatest strengths, was born out of them to us - on the spur of the moment, out of pressing necessity - with nothing more asked - or to be gained, other than death - than the passion (no other word will do) to support a new idea - Freedom.

We all know what the outcome was, so I won't bore any of you with more of that in my own heartfelt review of the book. What I really wished to convey to any reader, especially a younger one, who may not have opened the pages as yet - is that it will bring a new generation to experience anew the sense of pride that most of us as American's feel, and do it in a way that is truly "readable".

What a book - written by someone who leaves "dry" at home and digs down deep into the "human experience" to tell us the vibrant story about the courage that slumbers until needed - among a people who possess the desire to live free.

We weren't "Born Free" - it was won "for us" by others long gone - let's never forget.

Success was not guaranteed.......2007-10-01

Looking back on the American revolution of 1776 we sometimes
make the mistake to think success was guaranteed.
In David McCulloughs splendid book 1776 we clearly see
that it was not.
Its the gripping tale of american patriots like Nathanael Green,
age thirty three, who knew nothing of war except what he had read in books, and twenty five year old bookseller Henry Knox - who joined the
cause with George Washington to fight the biggest army in the world.

A weird assembly - the cause of liberty being led by a slavemaster
(Washington had more than 100 slaves). Still, in the end he is the one
who overcomes all bad odds and makes independence real.
In december 1776 leading a down and out army of some 3.000 to surprise attack Christmas night on hessian forces in Trenton and later Princeton. Turning the tide.
Having narrowly escaped the british and certain defeat in Brooklyn,
where the american army eventually only escaped over the East river,
because of the curtain of night concealed them and later a heavy fog.
Had they been spotted by the british - defeat would have been certain.
At Kips Bay Washington finds his troops in panic. Turned cowards
in front of the enemy. When no one obeys and only runs in panic,
Washington throws his hat to the ground, exclaiming in disgust:
"Are these the men with which I am to defend America".
As he and his defeated men are chased through New Jersey
by the british, thousands of the good people in New Jersey
flock to the british camps to declare their loyalty.
Washingtons followers reduced to a pitiable collection of ragged,
dispirited mortals that ever pretended to the name of an army.
As the sick and elderly were being abused, raped and murdered by british and Hessian forces in the New Jersey countryside - Washington forces quit in large numbers and return home.
And still, Christmas night, Washingtons men attack Trenton and conquers
1.500 Hessians - and turned the tide.
In McCulloughs word- Washington was not a brilliant tactician,
not a gifted orator, not an intellectual. At several crucial moments
he had shown indecisiveness and mistakes in judgment. But he
never forgot what was at stake and he never gave up.

What a story 1776 is. It makes sense that one book can't follow
event all the way to Yorktown or from the beginning with the Boston teaparty.
Simply 1776 has so much drama - that it is more than enough
for one book. But I will look forward to sequels. 1775, 1777 etc.
The John Adams book was more complete in the sense that we got both the begining and the end to the story, so that got five stars. Here I missed something on what happened after 1776 - but then again, I am sure the author is busy working on sequels !

-Simon

It Can't Be Said Enough, Excellent, Superb, One of the Best.......2007-10-01

There has probably been enough written about this book to fill more pages than the book itself. Of all the military books I have read, this book more than any other brought the information alive. The way writing was beyond excellent and the information presented in an engaging manner. Obviously this book represents General Washington and the American cause in a positive manner. That's not to say that it glosses over any of Washington's mistakes. On the contrary the author is quick to point out the general's mistakes and weaknesses. But as history would prove, Washington did enough right to survive 1776 and all the events of that dramatic year to keep an army in the field. Keeping the Continental Army in the field was most likely the single most important achievement of George Washington's tenure as Commander and Chief, during the war years. The book gives you insight into the lives of both officers and enlisted while maintaining it's focus on the overall impact of the decisions made during each chapter. It's difficult to write a review for a book that has already won the Pulitzer Prize. All this reviewer can really say is that all the accolades this book has received were very much deserved

1776: A ROLLER-COASTER RIDE!.......2007-09-21

David McCullough's book "1776" chronicles the first major year of fighting in during America's war for independence. The strength of this book is how McCullough gives the reader a humanistic portrayal of all the key players of the American Revolution. His accounts of key battles and events are exciting and dramatic, rivaling the best of historic fiction. This book will keep you glued until the very end. I highly recommend it!
Grade: A

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Ho hum
This is a Strong Effort by Pelecanos
Pelecanos is so . . . very good
A wonderful book
Very good

The Night Gardener
George Pelecanos
Manufacturer: Little, Brown and Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0316156507

Book Description

The haunting story of three copsone good, one bad, one brokenand the murder that reunites them in a showdown decades in the making. Gus Ramone is good police, a former Internal Affairs investigator now working homicide for the citys Violent Crime branch. His new case involves the death of a local teenager named Asa, whose body has been found in a community garden. The murder unearths intense memories of a case Ramone worked as a patrol cop 20 years earlier, when he and his partner, Dan Doc Holiday, assisted a legendary detective named T.C. Cook. The series of murders, all involving local teenage victims, was never solved. In the years since, Holiday has left the force under a cloud of morals charges. Cook has retired, but he has never stopped agonizing about the Night Gardener killings. The new case draws the three men together, re-igniting the love, regret, and anger that once burned between them, and old ghosts walk once more as they try to lay to rest the monster who has stalked their dreams.

Customer Reviews:

Ho hum.......2007-10-11

I could tell you half the book again like others reviewing this, but my best advice would be save your money!!!!

I did stay with it but it wasn't easy, I kept thinking something will happen.....(psst, It never really does)

Sorry but HO HUM

This is a Strong Effort by Pelecanos.......2007-09-20

Many people consider THE NIGHT GARDENER to be the best crime novel of 2006. While I wouldn't go quite that far, I think this book is a very fine effort by Pelecanos.

While THE NIGHT GARDENER is about the search for a serial killer, it is not a typical serial killer book. This is not a fast-paced, tightly plotted suspense novel. Instead, Pelecanos takes his time in telling the story, and focuses a great deal of effort on developing a rather large number of characters and subplots. This requires a certain amount of patience on the part of the reader, but it is well worth it, since nearly all the characters in this book are believable, realistic human beings.

The ending of the NIGHT GARDENER will not please everybody. Needless to say, Pelecanos does not resort to a cheap Hollywood ending here. But I found it a satisfying way to close the novel.

Overall, THE NIGHT GARDENER is a very good book, and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys slower paced, character-driven crime fiction. The only other Pelecanos book I have read is RIGHT AS RAIN, and I thought this book was far better than that one.

Pelecanos is so . . . very good .......2007-08-21

Structure, pace, fully developed characters built around descriptions which flesh out well in the reader's mind, superb dialogue comparable to the late great George Higgins, strong plotting and an ending which satisfies. The urban DC setting can well be appreciated outside the Beltway; his stories
are not just for area readers.

A wonderful book.......2007-08-20

This is one of the best books I've read this year. Pelecanos has yet to let me down.

Very good.......2007-05-18

Just finished this book and found it to be very good, I'll definitely read more of this author's books, if he has any. My comments:

1) Very well written and easy to read.
2) Well written characters. The characters are what makes this book worth reading. You are drawn to them and they are well fleshed out (as another reviewer said below, the crime seems to be an after thought.)
3) Good description of the nitty gritty of life in the DC area.
3) However, too much drama; I'd rather he focus more on the crime than the protagonist's family life. It just takes away from the story, IMHO.
4) Two story threads. I didn't really care about the minor thread. It was nicely tied together at the end (artistically if I may say so), but it just detracts away from the main story.
5) Even though most people could guess the ending, the crime was never solved by the protagonists, it was just given away on the last page. Too bad, but it's an unusual ending. You could say it was a surprise ending that way for people who expected the crime to be solved. I think it could have ended better.
6) A little jumpy as it jumped from one thread to another and you really didn't know how they were connected (they weren't really connected together).

Conclusion: I would still recommend the book because it was well written. There are many "best sellers" out there which are a struggle to read, but this one drew me along. It's a good book when I can't put it down and will trade sleeping time for reading time and I did for this one. I will now look for other books written by this author.

Revolutionary War On Wednesday (Magic Tree House 22, paper)

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great source to introduce the American revolution
MY BOY LOVES READING IT
Great Book! Ignore the Bad Reviews if you just want your kids to enjoy reading and be read to!!!!
revolutionary war on wednesday
Great book!

Revolutionary War On Wednesday (Magic Tree House 22, paper)
Mary Pope Osborne
Manufacturer: Random House Books for Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0679890688
Release Date: 2000-09-26

Amazon.com

If it's Wednesday, it must be Revolutionary War day. Jack and Annie, stars of the Magic Tree House series, are in for another adventure in their time- and space-traveling tree house. Mysterious magical librarian Morgan le Fay has set four new tasks for the siblings. Jack and Annie must find four special kinds of writing for Morgan's library in order to save Camelot, the ancient kingdom of King Arthur. In Civil War on Sunday, the pair traveled back to the 1860s to collect a list of rules ("something to follow") from famous nurse Clara Barton. Now they discover they must visit another war era: the Revolutionary War. Jack and Annie set aside their apprehension and soon they're spinning back through time to Christmas Day, 1776, on the banks of the Delaware River in Pennsylvania, where they encounter none other than the man on the dollar bill himself, George Washington! The children accidentally-on-purpose end up embroiled in the famous commander-in-chief's mission, where they not only play a part in convincing Washington to carry on with his patriotic duty, but also find the second kind of writing for Morgan's library: "something to send."

Award-winning author Mary Pope Osborne's young adventure series, The Magic Tree House, is immensely popular among children and teachers alike, promoting a fascination with history--and reading--no textbook can match. (Ages 6 to 9) --Emilie Coulter

Book Description

The Magic Tree House whisks Jack and Annie back to Colonial America. They arrive just as General george Washington is planning the crossing of the Delaware. Before they know it, Jack and Annie are in a boat with the Father of Our Country as history is made!

Customer Reviews:

great source to introduce the American revolution.......2007-10-14

Revolutionary War On Wednesday (Magic Tree House 22, paper)This book was a great way to introduce our daughter to the American Revolution. While she completed it within a few hours, I would highly recommend it along with American Revolution: A Companion to the Revolutionary War on Wednesday (Magic Tree House Rsrch Gdes(R))To start studies for homeschoolers, or to have a great set of books that help explain Why the American Revolution began. The resource guide has the true facts of the Revolution and is something we returned to several times throughout our studies.
And at the price it definitely was an added bonus!

MY BOY LOVES READING IT.......2007-01-07

My 1st grader hates to put it down, he would rather read Magic Tree House books, than play video games. He even reads them to his class and explains the story for show and tell. In his kindergarten class the teacher would also let him read the Magic Tree House books out loud, not to give her a break, but to promote reading out loud. Great books!

Great Book! Ignore the Bad Reviews if you just want your kids to enjoy reading and be read to!!!!.......2006-01-06

COME ON PEOPLE! First of all this book and the entire series is meant for KIDS NOT ADULTS so go with the flow. Imagine you are a boy or girl who is 5 or 6 and is just starting to enjoy stories and reading. You will love it! The whole point of a book is to have children begging for more. This book and the series does just that! ENOUGH SAID! My 5 yr old loves this book and as a result he has become interested in American History. This appetite he has led us to purchase many more books on history. In my opinion, the book has accomplished what I wanted. AN INTEREST IN LEARNING! AN INTEREST IN HISTORY! AND AN INTEREST IN READING! The text should be simple! The text should be silly at times! Thank you to Mary Pope Osborne for creating a wonderful series which I believe has turned my child into a history buff eager to learn everything about America!

revolutionary war on wednesday.......2005-02-18

one summer day in Frog Creek, Pensylvania, a Mysterious tree house oppeared in the woods. eight year old Jack and his seven year old sister; annie, climbed into the tree house. They found that it was filled with books. Jack and annie soon discovered that the tree house was majic. It could take to the places in the books, all they had to do was point a picture and wish to go there. Along the way, Jack and annie discovered that the tree belong to Morgan Le fay.morgan is a magical library from camelot,long ago of king auther.She travles through the time and space gathering books. The magic tree house books # 13-16, jack and annie had to save for ancient stories from being lost forever.In magic tree house#17-20 jack and annie trade a misterious little dog from a magic spell.In magictree books #17-20 jack and annie trade a new challange.Tey must find 4 special kinds of writing for morgans library to help save camelot.

Great book!.......2004-01-27

How would you feel if you were in a war? Find out by Reading Revolutionary War on Wednesday by Mary Pope Osborne. Jack and Annie were in a war to get a stone for
George Washington. I really liked this book because it was funny. Will Jack and Annie get the stone in time? Find out by reading this book!

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Truly the Faith of our Fathers
A Powerful, Engaging & Poignant Book About the Faith of Washington

George Washington's Sacred Fire
Peter A. Lillback
Manufacturer: Providence Forum Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0978605268

Product Description

What sets "George Washington's Sacred Fire" apart from all previous works on this man for the ages, is the exhaustive fifteen years of Dr. Peter Lillback's research, revealing a unique icon driven by the highest of ideals. Only do George Washington's own writings, journals, letters, manuscripts, and those of his closest family and confidants reveal the truth of this awe-inspiring role model for all generations. Dr. Lillback paints a picture of a man, who, faced with unprecedented challenges and circumstances, ultimately drew upon his persistent qualities of character - honesty, justice, equity, perseverence, piety, forgiveness, humility, and servant leadership, to become one of the most revered figures in world history. George Washington set the cornerstone for what would become one of the most prosperous, free nations in the history of civilization. Through this book, Dr. Lillback, assisted by Jerry Newcombe, will reveal to the reader a newly inspirational image of General and President George Washington.

Customer Reviews:

Truly the Faith of our Fathers.......2007-08-15

Dr Lillback gives us a masterful display of Christian historiography.

Thesis: George Washington was neither a Deist nor a modern Fundamentalist Evangelical. Rather, he was an orthodox Latitudinarian within the Anglican church. This means that while he did not have the outward, expressive, emotional zeal of 20th century counterparts, he did have a real faith in a Personal Triune God, and sucha faith did inform his public policies and inspire commitments.

Critics object that Washington never referred to Jesus; refused to partake of the Lord's Supper, and among other things, used Deistic language. Lillback skillfully rebuts all claims:

(1) Washington did refer to Jesus, and those who say otherwise just ignore several letters where he recommends "the author of our Faith" (a reference to Christ in the book of Hebrews), and the religion of Jesus to the Indians. Also, Washington didn't like to speak of himself at all. It is not the case that he refused to speak of his Faith. Rather, he refused to speak of Washington.

(2) It is true at times that Washington refused to take communion, but a number of points need to be made: a) this was not like the modern, high church Episcopalism. Due to the lack of ministers, and the frontier nature of the church, congregations would celebrate communion only a few times a year. Given that other evidence shows Washington took communion, this objection is actually a strong argument for Washington's faith: it is only a few times that Washington actually missed communion!

(3) Did Washington use Deistic language? I think we can answer no on two counts. Dr Lillback shows that terms that Deists use were actually Christian terms that were subsequently stripped of their orthodox meaning. Therefore (2) if he used Deistic language, his lifestyle and other references indicate that he did not mean by it the same thing Deists meant by it.

Conclusion:
This book is a monster! Over 200 pages of valuable endnotes. Reading Washington's letters is quite devotional and reading of his struggles is inspiring. Was Washington a practicing Christian? I leave on the following count: Given the nightmare and stress of Valley Forge, wouldn't it make sense if Washington indeed got down on his knees and prayed? In fact, that is the only explanation that explains the historical data.

A Powerful, Engaging & Poignant Book About the Faith of Washington.......2006-09-29

Dr. Peter Lillback and co-author Jerry Newcombe, have hit a smashing home run with this extraordinarily powerful book on George Washington.

After spending over a decade of research going through all the original documents of George Washington, Lillback has exposed the myths about this true man of Christian faith, and proven without a doubt that Washington was a follower of Christ Jesus and not merely a Deist.

This must have book is broken up into seven sections that cover the controversy over George Washington, the historical background of Washington, Washington's life, and Washington as a churchman, and even the debate over Washington and communion.

My favorite part of the book was the ten appendices at the end that cover the rules of civility and decent behavior that Washington abided by, as well as representative biblical quotations and allusions that Washington used all of the time. The other appendices cover sermons, and other prayers by others that were impacting to Washington.

This book also has beautiful photographs within its pages and a few hundred pages of endnotes so that you can go directly to the source and see for yourself the truth about Washington.

In this day of revisionist history, where the liberals are trying to convince the world that faith was not a part of the founding of this country, Dr. Lillback's work is a two fisted punch in the nose to prove otherwise.

This is a much needed book in the public schools, universities, pulpit and church libraries and every patriot in America. Buy it today, you won't be disappointed.

George Washington Smith: An Architect's Scrapbook

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SPANISH COLONIAL MASTER
Fantastic collection..

George Washington Smith: An Architect's Scrapbook
Marc Appleton
Manufacturer: Tailwater Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 097057200X

Book Description

Culled from the remains of an original scrapbook comes a long overdue publication of the work of an architect who all but defined the Spanish Colonial Revival of the early twentieth century. Containing magazine articles and photographs published during Smith's lifetime, this book is an essential addition to the library of any student, practioner or afficionado of Southern California Architecture. It also contains a brief introduction written by Marc Appleton.

Customer Reviews:

SPANISH COLONIAL MASTER.......2006-09-26

This is a fascinating book on a singular talent. It was so interesting to see images and articles, gathered from the era in which Mr. Smith practiced. The photos are wonderful and the text is highly informative. George Washington Smith was the foremost master of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture and this book honors him. I highly recommend it to anyone with any interest whatsoever in this style of architecure, you wont be disappointed, it is a long awaited tribute to one of the finest American residental architects of the 20th century.

Fantastic collection.........2003-02-22

This is truely is a must have book for anyone remotely interested in Santa Barbara architecture. Beautiful images and sketches of the historic work of George Washington Smith make up this coffee table treasure. Highly reccommended.

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George Washington A Biography 7 Volumes
Douglas Southall Freeman
Manufacturer: Charles Scribner's and Sons
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Washington's Crossing (Pivotal Moments in American History)

Average customer rating:

Where is a ghost writer when you need one?
Top-Notch history from a Top-Notch historian
What can I say that hasn't been said
Excellent work
Excellent

Washington's Crossing (Pivotal Moments in American History)
David Hackett Fischer
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 019518159X

Book Description

Six months after the Declaration of Independence, the American Revolution was all but lost. A powerful British force had routed the Americans at New York, occupied three colonies, and advanced within sight of Philadelphia. Yet, as David Hackett Fischer recounts in this riveting history, George Washington--and many other Americans--refused to let the Revolution die. On Christmas night, as a howling nor'easter struck the Delaware Valley, he led his men across the river and attacked the exhausted Hessian garrison at Trenton, killing or capturing nearly a thousand men. A second battle of Trenton followed within days. The Americans held off a counterattack by Lord Cornwallis's best troops, then were almost trapped by the British force. Under cover of night, Washington's men stole behind the enemy and struck them again, defeating a brigade at Princeton. The British were badly shaken. In twelve weeks of winter fighting, their army suffered severe damage, their hold on New Jersey was broken, and their strategy was ruined. Fischer's richly textured narrative reveals the crucial role of contingency in these events. We see how the campaign unfolded in a sequence of difficult choices by many actors, from generals to civilians, on both sides. While British and German forces remained rigid and hierarchical, Americans evolved an open and flexible system that was fundamental to their success. The startling success of Washington and his compatriots not only saved the faltering American Revolution, but helped to give it new meaning.

Customer Reviews:

Where is a ghost writer when you need one?.......2007-08-21

I believe it was easier to cross the Delaware in winter than to get through this book. I just read 1776 by David McCullough, loved it, and was interested in reading more. Fischer is one of the dullest writers I've read. It is painfully obvious that being a successful academic and a successful writer are not necessarily connected.

Top-Notch history from a Top-Notch historian.......2007-06-24

This is probably about as well organized and detailed as any book on a single historical event can get. That it does so without loosing pace or drying out is commendable. While the title may lead one to believe that this book is only about the famous "midnight" crossing, the actual event serves as the centerpiece for the story with the painting by Emanuel Leutze as its starting point. In fact, "Washington's Crossing" deals as much with the events leading up to and afterwards as it does the actual crossing. It is also about more then just the famous crossing with which we are all familiar. Several other Delaware River crossings are detailed including the initial retreat from the ensuing British, the return from the battle of Trenton, and the advance back into New Jersey shortly thereafter. The book is also a detailed biography of George Washington's years just before and into the fist several months of the American Revolution. Appropriately enough this book is also, at times, about the Delaware River itself.

Davis Hackett Fischer deserves five stars on his writing style alone. This book flows like a well written story, which is appropriate in that history is human drama. The book starts with a description and history of the famous painting of Washington crossing the Delaware and then discusses the recent arguments over the painting's accuracy. It seems to have become the fashion lately to debunk this painting over various, some rather trivial details, such as time of day, type of boats used, and even how chunks of ice depicted in the painting, Fischer staunchly defends the painting based on what and who it represents, and most importantly the spirit that is represented. One appreciates Fisher's references throughout this book that American history is not something that needs an apology.

The first three chapters provide a thorough background on all of the major players, the American rebels, the British regulars, and the Hessian mercenaries. Fischer maintains a sense of objectivity in his accounts. Although the acts of rape, pillage, and violence towards the colonies are not ignored, The British and the Hessians are not merely described as the villains of the story just as the Colonials are not by default "good guys." This book is sympathetic to the American cause, but that does not prevent it from describing the people and nations as what they were. One example is General Cornwallis, who is frequently described the pompous and arrogant buffoon who lost the colonies. Fischer however devotes a fair amount of time to Cornwallis's standing in the British military and career as a whole. The depiction is that of an accomplished military career by all standards and that of a person with his own mind who was well respected by all ranks.

The rest of the book can be divided into three sections starting with the seemingly endless series of disasters that the continental army incurred after the British regulars arrived, including the fall of New York, the execution of Nathan Hale, and the loss of Fort Washington, probably the lowest point for George Washington during the entire revolution. The second, as the book's chronology makes its way towards November and December of 1776, deals with the places and events leading up to and including the Battle of Trenton. There is some good history in this section, particularly the river raiding parties out of Pennsylvania that routinely harassed the British encampments along the Delaware River's banks in New Jersey and numerous contributions they made to the attack on Trenton. This section also details Alexander Hamilton's artillery division, one of the few bright spots for Washington's young army. The final section deals with events following the Battle of Trenton, including post celebration war cabinets trying to decide what to do next, the subsequent trip back across the Delaware, and the Battle of Princeton. Again, there are some great gems of history to be found here. Most notably is Fischer's detailing of the lesser known, but probably more important events unofficially known as the Second Battle of Trenton in which Washington's forces held their ground at Assunpink Creek and turned back Cornwallis's larger and superior forces.

Fischer closes the book with a refreshing and necessary summary and conclusion. While the main body of the book completes in fewer than 400 pages, they are dense with information, which leave one feeling that they have actually completed a much longer book. Additionally, there are numerous appendices detailing all sorts of interesting facts and statistics and a section devoted to the Historiography of Washington's Crossing. This is a formidable book, but it is also a top-notch one that should delight fans of History, the American Revolution, and certainly of George Washington. Newcomers to history should probably work their way through a couple of easier books before tacking this one, but they should still consider putting this one on their shelves for future reading.

What can I say that hasn't been said.......2007-06-03

As an avid early American Historian, I place this book in my top three. This is must reading. The facts are told as they were, through the primary characters and you are there during the end of the mini ice age crossing the Delaware. Like MJ's last shot against Utah, if it didn't really happen, we would all just chalk it up to a Hollywood fairytale.

I read McCullough's 1776 after this and there is no comparison.

This book is so vivid and palpable that I felt obligated to go follow the trail of those early warriors. Amazing!

My other two favorites are Chernow's Hamilton and Gotham.

Excellent work .......2007-05-30

Fischer's Washington's Crossing is detailed account of the New Jersey campaign of 1776-1777, specifically focusing on the battles of Trenton and Princetion. Fischer does a great job of showing the differences between the leadership of Washington and Cornwallis and the effects that the battles of Trenton and Princeton had on the soldiers from both sides. While the book does get bogged down in too much detail in some points and not enough in others, this is a great book.

Excellent.......2007-03-20

This is a wonderful book. Now I want to read all of Mr. Fischer's work.

Average customer rating:

Good, but not great.
Washington the Man
His Excellency: George Washington
Great History Book
Fair to good. Is there a skunk in the early analysis, such as on Jumonville?

His Excellency: George Washington
Joseph J. Ellis
Manufacturer: Vintage
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Historical | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Presidents & Heads of State | Leaders & Notable People | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 1400032539
Release Date: 2005-11-08

Book Description

To this landmark biography of our first president, Joseph J. Ellis brings the exacting scholarship, shrewd analysis, and lyric prose that have made him one of the premier historians of the Revolutionary era. Training his lens on a figure who sometimes seems as remote as his effigy on Mount Rushmore, Ellis assesses George Washington as a military and political leader and a man whose “statue-like solidity” concealed volcanic energies and emotions.

Here is the impetuous young officer whose miraculous survival in combat half-convinced him that he could not be killed. Here is the free-spending landowner whose debts to English merchants instilled him with a prickly resentment of imperial power. We see the general who lost more battles than he won and the reluctant president who tried to float above the partisan feuding of his cabinet. His Excellency is a magnificent work, indispensable to an understanding not only of its subject but also of the nation he brought into being.

Customer Reviews:

Good, but not great........2007-09-21

This is an entertaining and enjoyable book, but the psychoanalysis of George Washington left something to be desired. At several places, the author relies on tidbits of information to making sweeping generalizations regarding Washington, why he succeeded, or his motivations. This would not have so severely affected my rating, but for the fact that on more than one occasion, the author quickly reversed course.

For example, when trying to explain why, near the beginning of the Revolution, George Washington was better situated than any of his peers to lead the Americans to victory, Joseph Ellis tells us that George Washington was a realist who fully recognized that Divine Providence did not guarantee victory. Only a few pages later, commenting on George Washington's forbearance in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds, Joseph Ellis tells us that the George Washington's internally sustaining force was his belief in, yep, Divine Providence.

It may be a quibble, but this example early in the book, left me doubtful of Mr. Ellis's explanations for other aspects of George Washington's character and the underlying rationale for some of his actions. At times, Mr. Ellis may have pressed too hard to generalize from single letters or comments. Perhaps Washington was uniquely realistic in assessing the chances for success and also believed in Divine Providence, but Mr. Ellis did a poor job of acknolwedging both these aspects and, presumably, the tension even within Washington.

I also thought Ellis went a bit far with his "Fabian" and "Cinncinatus" analogies. The repetition towards the end of the book became irksome and, again, seemed Ellis was trying too hard to fit evidence into preconceived categories.

The book was quite informative and engaging. It is clear that Joseph Ellis reveres the man, but this usually did not cause him to shy from recounting Washington's failings, including those of character. Importantly, I think Ellis does a good job of providing enough factual context to let the reader make some judgments. Some other reviewers appear to claim this is a hatchet job, but my view is that it is anything but. Unflattering facts are revealed, but Ellis was, in my view, more quick to explain them away than he needed to be. George Washington was a man, not a god. Ellis's portrait captures that distinction without denigrating Washington or his considerable influence on the making of the United States of America.

In short, Ellis paints a convincing portrait of an ambitious man with a tremendous ability both to lead men and to persevere in the face of adversity. Washington does seem to have had enormous concern regarding his legacy, but this is not a bad thing. As an example, if Mr. Ellis's portrayal is accurate, George Washington's concern for legacy was a driving factor in his decision to free his slaves in his will. Likewise, while Mr. Ellis seems to indicate that George Washington tried to burnish his reputation for high character by revising certain details of his early life, his desire to be revered also led him to act in conformance with the image he strove to create. In other words, while Washington did not always act with honor while young, his growing concern for legacy provided additional pressure, if not motivation, for his rightly renowned decision to relinquish power and, too, smaller acts of honor. Washington, to some degree, became the man he wished to be perceived to be. Joseph Ellis did not paint a flat caricature of the man, but provided a three-dimensional, if sometimes flawed, portrait of one of the most important men in the history of the United States.

I recommend this book.

Washington the Man.......2007-09-20

Ellis' George Washington is a rich narrative of a largely unknowable man. Washington is a 21st century biographers nightmare because he was not as irascible as John Adams nor did he have the flirtatious dalliances of a Thomas Jefferson or a Benjamin Franklin. Washington instead appears like a statute whom historians and psychohistorians cannot even begin to clear away the patina to get a good glimpse of the inner man. Ellis attempts this and concludes that while Jefferson theorized, Washington just mainly survived. In this he is anomaly because the critical period of American history can not be imagined without him, yet progressives and revisionists have ignored him. While Adams and Jefferson wrote more about republican and democratic theory, Washington never allowed anything close to the passage of the Alien and Sedition Act nor the Embargo Act. An oversimplification of this interplay is that while most of the founders talked, Washington acted and essentially achieved the results that he wanted. In what is probably the highlight of the book, Ellis presents Washington heading off the Newburg Conspiracy which was formed by disgruntled officers designed to hijack the burgeoning republic in it's cradle. After placating his soldiers Washington never wavers from his bedrock principle of Republicanism tempered with a harsh realism. Overall Ellis' Washington is a man who acted upon what he believed and saved the infant republic several times over. Probably his greatest sin, in the eyes of the professional historian, was that he never much talked about what he did, but I think he can be forgiven for that rather unfortunate oversight.

His Excellency: George Washington.......2007-09-06

A marvelous read of the genesis of our great nation!! Joseph J. Ellis is a fantastic author. How exciting American History could be if only taught as Ellis writes!

Great History Book.......2007-08-11

Joseph J. Ellis kept in mind while writing "His Excellency" that there could only be one man to fit in the shoes of a democratic government (as we know it) and it was George Washington. I also learned so much about the greatness of this man and how he had to overcome such criticism and failure before changing how people live not only in the US but in the world.

This book pretty much let's you know that Washington was not perfect by any means. We was living and working for the ages. He wasn't a great General either, but he tested the hand of time and defied it in many ways.

I highly recommend this book.

Fair to good. Is there a skunk in the early analysis, such as on Jumonville?.......2007-08-08

A good bio, fair to good. An author should hedge pretty constant to a view of George Washington as a hero, my preference.

I thought I detected something smelly in the description of Washington's early military career, for example in the death of Jumonville. There's nothing direct in the text, it's more crafty and insidious (eg "murder" in the same paragraph with George's name, his supposed lifelong rationalization over these early incidents, etc), which reviewing just now opinions of earlier reviewers I'm glad to see they've suspicioned out as well. Replace George's name with Ellis', change the incident to Vietnam war record falsification and what you seem to get is the author's apology for how his own biographical fraud occurred. If this is so, it's fair to bring this up, and I resent how incidents from the great man's life seems to be used to explain how a rationalization like this comes about. If it's not, some changes in future editions would help keep readers away from the unintentional linkage. "Look, I'm flawed too, just like the great Washington was" Ellis seems to say. Hold your nose past the author's need to explain himself through Washington in the early part, and you get a good biography otherwise.

Average customer rating:

The World of Columus and Sons vs. George Washington's World
Learn to love history!

George Washington's World
Genevieve Foster , and Joanna Foster
Manufacturer: Beautiful Feet Bks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | History & Historical Fiction | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

18th Century | World | History | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 096438034X

Book Description

George Washington's World

The period measured by the life of George Washington—1732 to 1799 —was one of revolution and change in many parts of the world as Enlightenment thinking took hold in the minds of men. When George was a young man, Benjamin Franklin was the most well-known American, Louis XV was on the throne of France, and George II was king of England. Father Junipero Serra had just arrived in Mexico to work with the Panes Indians. Mozart and Bach were writing their immortal music and Voltaire warred with his pen against Ignorance, Injustice and Superstition. The young nobleman Lafayette watched the feisty American colonies with fascinated interest as they stood up to Mother England when she sought to tax them unfairly. James Cook was sent by the Royal Society of London to Tahiti where their team of astronomers might observe a total eclipse of the sun and thereby accurately measure the distance between the earth and the sun. These are just a few of the wonderful narratives explored by Foster in her Newbery Honor Book of 1940. Prolifically illustrated with intriguing line drawings and detailed timelines, Foster's telling of the life story of George Washington does justice to the man it celebrates. 355pg

Customer Reviews:

The World of Columus and Sons vs. George Washington's World.......2005-11-28

The World Of Columbus and Sons was the first Foster book I've read. I really thought it interesting. George Washington's World is a much better book than The World Of Columus and Sons. Why? I can't explain. I'm not so intersted in Columbus as I am with Washington. Now, this book is really helping me (George Washington's World) since I'm in a middle of doing a research report on Martha Washington, George Washington's wife. George Washington's World talks quite a bit about Martha Washington so that really helps me.

Learn to love history!.......1998-11-30

I must admit, when I was growing up, I hated American history above all else. In comparison with British history or world history, it seemed so boring...all facts and no fun. Well, this book will make you enjoy eating your cultural veggies. First of all, the authors took the trouble to include the trivial details about the "players" that make them human and interesting. Also, because of Ms. Foster's unique panoramic approach to history, you are better able to understand the environment that made our heroes and villians what they became. Although this book is considered a children's book, I would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone over the age of 10 or so. The text will certainly not bore you, I promise!

Garden Gallery: The Plants, Art, and Hardscape of Little and Lewis

Average customer rating:

CREATIVITY UNLEASHED
Garden Ga;;ery...YESSSS
For the avid gardener
A Garden Gallery : The Plants, Art, and Hardscape of Little and Lewis
A Garden Gallery

Garden Gallery: The Plants, Art, and Hardscape of Little and Lewis
George Little , and David Lewis
Manufacturer: Timber Press, Incorporated
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Garden Design | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Landscape | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0881926728

Book Description

Celebrated internationally as artists and gardeners, Little and Lewis open the gates to their renowned Puget Sound garden and share their personal wisdom for what informs and inspires their wild fantasia of plants, hardscape, and art. Water features, oversized and broadleaved plants, expansive use of color, zone-pushing tropicals, architectural emphasis, and elements of classicism and mystery — all combine to create a magical space. The authors describe how you too can achieve this kind of retreat for reflection in your own backyard. From practical advice on how to make a slow-drip natural fountain, to building an inexpensive Tuscan-style wall, you will be encouraged to use your imagination and take risks. Stunning photographs will inspire you.

Customer Reviews:

CREATIVITY UNLEASHED.......2007-05-12

I first saw an article on Little and Lewis in a gardening magazine and had to have this book. I was mesmerized by what they had done.

The sculptures, greenery and landscaping are absolutely exquisite. I bought a copy of the book and sent it to a gardener friend of mine and he raved about it, also.

I think this book would appeal to fine arts people who are into gardening--people who want to create their own statuary, garden sculptures and unique landscaping and who need a creative impetus.

Garden Ga;;ery...YESSSS.......2007-04-06

This is a wonderful, imformative and very useful book. The service in receiving it was excellent and the condition of the book was perfect.

For the avid gardener.......2006-11-04

What a wonderful, inspirational book. For the already accomplished gardener, this is a book not so much about "how to", as it is full of the great ideas and very personal vision of the author. Imaginative and full of pictures. I can't imagine a better gift if you have a gardener on your Christmas list.

A Garden Gallery : The Plants, Art, and Hardscape of Little and Lewis.......2005-10-24

We actually visited the gardens of Little and Lewis on Bainbridge Island, WA and they are every bit as good as shown in the book. Ordered two books for good measure!

A Garden Gallery.......2005-08-22

This is an inspirational book full of great photographs from the garden of two very creative gardeners. The book is arranged in an interview format; Mr. Lewis discusses ideas that are near and dear to him; Mr. Little shares his views. They garden together and their combined talents create a beautiful space.

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