August's Reviews > 1776

Absolutely brilliant and memorable read that details the Revolutionary War's northern campaign with Gen. Washington, with a decoration of insight on British commanders. A more masterful accounting would be hard to come by. It is incredibly disheartening to read on how the Americans constantly came so close to complete defeat, repeatedly shirked duty, defected to the enemy and ran from battle, how the entire military effort, and indeed the entirety of the prospect of America, relied on a handful of men. The endings of chapters left me with goosebumps and on clenched fists. I repeatedly asked myself 'Why didn't the British win? Would we not be the better for it?'" The scant American victory compared to the numerous tactical and strategic victories of the British

Do note that 1776 is almost entirely a military accounting of Gen. Washington's campaign in the north. There is a bit of political background to aid the military reasonings and account and few mentions of what is happening in Canada or the south below New Jersey. Still, a necessary read for all Americans.