Book Review: 1776

I'm not a huge history buff, but this book was excellent. It is a historical narrative on the Revolutionary War with a balked perspective from both sides of the conflict. The book is primarily narrative on events and journal excerpts from those involved. The main character focused on in the book is "His Excellency" General George Washington. It starts with Washington arriving for the seize of Boston, chronicles his many retreats from New York through New Jersey and culminates with his brilliant defeat of the Hessians shortly after Christmas.

I always knew the revolutionary war was a desperate struggle and we were outmatched, but after reading this book it is clear that on paper, the Americans had no business winning the war. Their arms, training, resources, discipline, tactics were all well below the level of their opponents. They were dirty; their sanitation habits made me cringe a few times. Now I know why the go nuts about latreene santiation at scout camp. They often were lazy, disobedient and careless. Washington lamented the condition and character of his men many times. He particularly had a hard time with the New Englanders who were hard, dirty, closed-mined and rebellious. (Sounds Familiar? I found myself identifying with those feelings having served a mission in Boston). However, when these men put their might into an cause, their results were always remarkable. Despite their shortcomings, they were extremely courageous, hard-working and self-sacrificing. Many left their wives and children on the farm to go and fight and possibly die for their country. Some left when their wives were sick and came back. These men worked through intense summer heat and bloodied their feet marching in winter snow for their cause. Several carried on for months with no pay and nothing to provide for their families. I couldn't help being moved by their letters to their wives and families.

On several occasions, the Hand of God was with the Americans. In Boston, the Americans needed to secure Dorchester Heights so they could effectively fire on the British who had superior fire power. The only problem is that once the British saw them attempting to take the hill, they would open fire and make a blood bath of anyone attempting to erect proper fortifications on the hill. So the Americans built fortifications in other locations and designed to move them in the night and put them in place before the British could realize that had happened. On that night, several wrote that there was thick cloud cover over the British, which concealed the work of the Americans, while on the back side of the hill, there was ample light for working. The British were wholely surprised and had to withdraw from the city before being pulverized by the superior position of the American artillery. Later in New York, after the failed battle of Brooklyn, the British were poised to capture the entire American army and a desparate retreat was undertaken by Washington throughout the night. However, they did not move quickly enough and by the light of day the Americans were about to be exposed. But once again, miraculous weather interviewed and a thick fog settled in on the British and one could not see more than several feet ahead. However on the American side, it was clear as day and they were able to finish the retreat and the revolution continued. Had this fog not come, we might all be speaking Old English right now and saluting price Charles as our future king. We'd have no baseball, hamburgers, pizza and apple pie. That Fog goes down in the Fog hall of fame.

The overall impression I had as I reached the end of the book was one of dejection. "These are the times that try men's souls." I never realized the depth of that statement until I knew it meant that our army had been beaten and forced to retreat over and over again. It looked absolutely hopeless. Washington had about 2,000 men and they faced over 30,000 British. He decided that he needed a "brilliant" storke to turn the tide. He decided to cross the river on Christmas Eve and assault the Hessians (hired German soldiers) at day break.

He was victorious and did not loose a single man in the fight. It reminded me of a Nephite victory. Washington not only won not only a battle, but the confidence of the people and changed the tide of the war and arguably human history. As I read I could plainly discern that the spirit of God was upon Washignton and enabled him to be positive and undaunted in the darkest of times. His attitude, dress and courange were nothing short of divinly inspired and his men knew it. I am so grateful for the blessing of Freedom and the right to worship, think and live in a free society. I hope we all remember the sacrifices of thoes that went before us and use thier example help us meet the challenges of our day.