1776 A Superior War Book Summary

1776: A Superior War Novel Pulitzer Prize winner, David McCullough, authored the intense and well-researched novel 1776 about the tumultuous times of American independence from the British Empire. He recreates scenes of heroic battles as well as dramatic encounters between diplomats with outstanding details to support his writing. In his acknowledgments, McCullough informs the reader that the material in his novel came from over 25 libraries, archives and historic sites in both the United States and the United Kingdom. McCullough’s history lesson in his novel 1776 does more than just teach the reader; it puts them into the setting of pre-revolutionary war America. The book begins in 1775 with King George III of England’s declaration of war against the rebellious American colonies. After that, the plot quickly escalates to introduce General George Washington, the leader of the American troops, who had not led any army into battle prior to the war with England.
General Washington and his army delivered that freedom, “and all that was promised by the Declaration of Independence” (McCullough 291). The American people’s shear joy after the patriots defeated the Red Coats in the final battle at Trenton is clearly expressed by revolutionary-era writer Mercy Otis Warren when she said there were “perhaps so people on earth whom a spirit of enthusiastic zeal is so readily kindled, and burns so remarkably, as among Americans” (McCullough 291). The outnumbered Americans never gave up their fight because they believed they had to fight to win their freedom. America has always believed in going to war only if necessary, such as entering WWII. The United States felt it was their duty to protect democracy and help their allies defeat totalitarian governments. The United States had worked hard to become a democracy and it was all thanks to the courageous patriots of the thirteen American