Flags of Our Fathers is a book written by James Bradley about the five United States Marines and one Navy Corpsman who are photographed raising the flag at the battle of Iwo Jima. This battle is significant because it was one of, if not the most costly and gruesome battle fought in the Pacific during World War II. John Bradly, the author's father, Rene Gagnon, Ira Hayes, Mike Strank, Harlon Block, and Franklin Sousley are the men in the renowned photograph pictured on the cover. The last 3 men mentioned died later during the battle. Three men were Privates, Strank was a Seargeant, and Block was a Corporal who reported to Strank. John Bradley was a Navy Corpsman who was tasked with providing first aid to the…
David McCullough’s 1776 is a well written book, starting with its title. It's a story about the war, yet no actual fighting happens for most of the book. George Washington is often diminished compared to other characters in the book, and readers almost feel sorry for the usually infamous characters such as the loyalists, Hessians, and even King George III.…
It details their victory at Boston, their defeat at New York, retreat through New Jersey, and victories at both Princeton and Trenton. McCullough gives an honest summary of the events from the middle of 1775 to the Americans victory at Trenton in three-hundred and eighty six…
1776, a brilliant book by Pulitzer Prize-winning author David McCullough, retells the story of America’s brutal battle for independence throughout the American Revolution. In an informative tone, McCullough brings the American Revolution to life as he reiterates America’s history through the incorporation of details pertaining to each of the important figures of the war as well as the story format of his well-researched book. Through the use of visual aids such as maps and pictures depicting battles as well as the inclusion of personal and formal letters, McCullough is able to portray a vision of American hardship and success on a more personal level than most historic writers.…
Flags of Our Fathers is a biography of John “Doc” Bradley, also called Jack, and the five other flag raisers in battle on the island of Iwo Jima during World War II. It is written by his son, James Bradley, who knew very little about his father’s experience and heroism in the battle of Iwo Jima. This novel takes the reader into the lives of these six men and provides a glimpse of the United States as it was before, during and after what is perceived as the worst battle of World War II. The men in this biography were considered heroes for their actions; however none of them thought this to be completely true. When asked about being such a hero John as well as the other flag raisers agreed that “The heroes of Iwo Jima are the guys who didn’t come back,” (pg.343). This biography is a wonderful representation of the humility and greatness that the soldiers showed during the time of war. The author portrays his message to the reader through his use of a personal recollection of the battle, and the events in the lives of each of the six men who came to be known as the flag raisers.…
In the book “A Revolutionary Summer: The Birth of America” by Joseph J. Ellis tells the story of the summer of 1776. The book starts around the time of May, 1776 before the declaration of independence is signed. Chapter 1 of A Revolutionary Summer follows “By the spring of 1776, British and American troops had been killing each other at a robust rate for a full year” (Ellis, 2013, p. 2). The book has the political side of the revolution and the military side, and combined them together to show how they affect each other. The political side follows John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson. While the military side follows George Washington and the Howes brothers. The story tells of 13 colonies that ended up coming together and agreeing…
1776 by David McCullough is not just a book about the violence of war, but the emotions of those living during these times. The novel takes you on a journey of what life was truly like in the year of the Declaration of Independence. Leader General George Washington and two young American patriots, Nathanael Greene and Henry Knox, show the knowledge of war and the innocence of those with no experience of combat. Uncommon perspectives of situations are explained through the eyes of innocence and the eyes of the experienced. The story begins with the Siege of Boston, happening in 1775, and McCullough leads us through the events that drove the British to abandon Boston and eventually take New York.…
On December 26th during a blizzard, Washington led his army in a surprise attack. The monumental task of crossing the Delaware River and marching to Trenton became a turning point in the Revolutionary War. George Washington leadership was questioned and his army was on the verge of expiration after being defeated in New York. If Washington was to lose this battle there would be no second chance. The Continentals Army needed a victory and all success depended on the battle of Trenton. In the midst of the American crisis, forces joined together hoping to achieve a surprise attack. The victory of the battle of Trenton contributed to the war and country's history by leading the forces to victory and ultimately winning the Revolutionary War.…
The first part titled “The Siege” discusses the beginning of the Revolutionary War, including the series of attacks. The second part is called “The Fateful Summer” which discusses the hardships both the Patriots and the Red Coats faced. The last part is titled “The Long Retreat” and closes the novel by discussing how the Revolutionary War came to an end. As a concise summary, the siege of Boston and a description of how the British escaped began 1776, which led to General Washington rushing to New York to prepare for the next battle. The British were in the hands of the Howe brothers at the point. The British army caught Washington off guard, which led to the Battle in Brooklyn. Soon Washington was leading his army across the Delaware where they defeated Hessians in Trenton. A success in Princeton followed which seemed to almost give the Americans a sense of pride. Later on the British surrendered at Yorktown. After this main battle, 1776 began to fizzle out due to Britain and the French becoming an issue of its…
David McCullough wrote a revealing novel about the struggles and challenges America faced during the year of 1776 as the war for American independence commenced. “1776” shed light on the hardships the country faced in order for us to live the life of freedom we do today. The American army was composed of regular everyday people with a lack of military experience, but under the leadership of General George Washington America was victorious. They faced many adversities despite just the British powers. There were many loyalists and traitors that lived right at home pledging their loyalty to the British crown. Thanks to the determination of the American people they didn’t let those opposing forces deter them.…
On October 7, the small colonial army led by General George Washington defeated the powerful British Army numbering at about 7,000 soldiers at Saratoga. Patriots throughout the colonies are stating that the Battle of Saratoga could have been the turning point of the revolution. General Horatio Gates led his men bravely into battle against the Hessian mercenaries, and the British Army led by Burgoyne. The British Army was in dire need of supplies after being defeated at the Battle of Bennington and George Washington used this and his fortifications to his advantage. Fearsome fighters such as General Arnold contributed heavily to this colonial victory.…
1776 is a book by historian David McCullough, winner of the Pulitzer Prize and national bestseller, based on the American Revolution against the British. The book moves through countless different battles between the Americans and the British, involving fascinating facts of the war and the people immensely involved such as Nathanael Green, Henry Knox, and multifarious others. McCullough talks about the paltry and considerable wars and the commands from both sides leaving out no details.…
The Battle of Yorktown, also known for it’s many unique names, was a war fought to determine who or what may have a sense of control over the government within the colonies. Have been carried out by the conjoined forces of an American Continental Army, also being led by George Washington with the assistance from French leader Comte de Rochambeau’s troops, they engaged in a gruesome yet satisfactory civil war. The famous conflict took place at Yorktown, Virginia to where it gets it’s name sake, finally coming to a close on October 19, 1781. Culminating the end results that occurred from the wars’ last few moments, the Yorktown campaign has estimated that this was the last major land battle fought during the American Revolutionary War within…
The Battle of Yorktown was the last major battle in the Revolutionary War. It started when figured out that high numbers of British troops were staying in Yorktown, Pennsylvania. Then, the French general, Comte de Rochambeau and I quickly came up with a strategy to trap their army because we out numbered the British general Charles Cornwallis's by more than twice the size. Comte de Rochambeau was sending ships up the east coast to aid my army. We then had the idea of using those ships to block off Cornwallis direct supply line and reinforcements troops with the British navy.…
This book was set in Manhattan in 1776. It is an exciting true story of American Revolution. It tells the story of…