Book Review..."1776" and "John Adams" by David McCullough

Cover "1776"

In the book review on "Undaunted Courage", I mentioned other influential books on early American history. David McCullough wrote both of them. "1776" is one and "John Adams" is the other.

Cover  "John Adams"

David McCullough along with Stephen Ambrose have done more to help me understand my country's early years than all other authors. They are both readable and lay out their cases in a logical, thoughtful manner.

McCullough decided to do one exact year in the history of the country. By choosing 1776 he gives us an important slice of revolutionary time. It was not necessarily a victorious year for our country but probably one of the most important. During the research and writing of the book he became more and more interested in John Adams. By the time he had finished the "1776" he knew he had to do one on Adams.

Author David McCullough

John Adams, until I read the book, had been a sort of background figure. I, like most folks, bought off on the Jefferson - Washington revisionists history. After you read Adams I think you will see American history in a much different light.

I mentioned these two books are the foundation I base my early American history. I should add there is still another I have not purchased nor read and that is the recent book on George Washington. I understand it is a historical mind blower. I have to get that book. And will.

The Adams book goes into the politics of putting together the war and the country. I learned how regional the country had been. I learned how unselfish our founders were. I learned how absolutely brilliant our first representatives were. 

It would be impossible to read the early years of John and Abigail Adams and not understand what the families went through during those tough, tough years. The author gives you a sense of what is was like to live in the early to late 1700's.

Once again, as with Lewis and Clark, I am left feeling inferior to our founding generations. I hope you have a chance to read these two books. They will give you a much healthier and broader view of your country. It is so important for our citizenry to understand history in order to comprehend our greatness. Without that knowledge we can't expect the voters to keep the country on its dynamic path.

I fear we are losing our history and our way.

Please enjoy these two books. They will improve your life.

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