Michele Cacano's Reviews > 1776

I don't really understand why this book was a bestseller and a Pulitzer Prize winner... It was rather dry and boring. And how does one take such a revolutionary story (pun intended!) and wring out the excitement and fervor that was surely ever-present?



I had a hard time keeping track of the names at first, and the photos and maps did not help. There were drawings of men in section I who didn't come into play until section II, and the maps were unclear. The battle in New York was really drawn out and difficult to stay focussed on. Trenton was a bit better in description and story.



I am a fan of US Revolutionary history, fact, and fiction. But this just didn't really bring much to life or light for me. I would have preferred more engagement with the characters, real though they are. We only barely understand Gen. Washington's motives and methods. Nathaniel Greene wsa slightly more fleshed out by the second half of the book, and The British Gen. Howe was fairly generously portrayed.



I would say the content was interesting, but it could have been written more with life. I wonder: how many of the "readers" of this bestseller actually read it all?



I am now thoroughly immersed in The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. Much more enjoyable a read!