I finally got to read 1776 by David McCullough. It's an account of the fortunes of the Continental Army and their British foes during the early part of the war. McCullough's narrative follows Washington's army from the siege of Boston, to the ill-fated defense of New York and finally to their stunning victories in December 1776 in Trenton and Princeton.

McCullough's writing style is among the best I have ever read; he is smooth, thorough, and constantly draws you in to the world of his protagonists. (See his Pulitzer Prize-winning biography of John Adams for further evidence of this.) The book is short, but it meets its purpose admirably. For fans of American history, it is a great read, and anyone who enjoys reading at all will find it quick, entertaining, and educational.

Fans of early American history are in a golden age of writing right now, with Joseph Ellis and Ron Chernow writing first-rate books along with McCullough. If you are interested in more books on the period, my favorites follow.

My other early American favorites:
Alexander Hamilton (Biography of Hamilton), by Ron Chernow
American Sphinx (Biography of Jefferson), by Joseph J. Ellis
Founding Brothers (Insights into the relationships among the founding fathers), by Ellis
His Excellency (Biography of Washington), by Ellis
Washington's General (Biography of Nathanael Greene), by Terry Golway
Benjamin Fanklin: An American Life (Biography of Franklin), by Walter Isaacson
John Adams (Biography of Adams), by McCullough
The American Revolution: A History (Very good short history of the war), by Gordon Wood
The Radicalism of the American Revolution (Exactly what it says), by Wood

There are also some really good autobiographies from figures involved. The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is a classic, while The Revolutionary War Memoirs of General Henry Lee is less known but still amazing. These two books illustrate the various outcomes from Revolutionary figures. Franklin went on to become possibly the most well-respected man in the world, while Lee died a resentful and bitter man, jealous of the successes of Virginia countrymates Jefferson and Madison. He also fathered Robert E. Lee, so good for him.

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Please take a moment to say a prayer. The mother of a friend of mine is dying, and she leaves behind a large family. Keep her and her family in your thoughts. Thank you and God bless.