Jul 04 2008
“1776: The Illustrated Edition” by David McCullough
In honor of Independence Day, I decided that there was no better book that could I read and review than 1776: The Illustrated Edition, David McCullough’s account of the momentous year that our nation first declared its independence.
I had not read 1776 before picking up the illustrated edition from the library, so you’ll want to bear that in mind when reading my review. I actually have 1776 on my bookshelf (given to me by my older brother several years ago) but I just never got around to reading it. I spied the illustrated edition at the library a couple of weeks ago, and thought it just looked too cool to pass up. I’m so glad I checked it out!
1776: The Illustrated Edition is a large book - over a foot tall and almost 2 inches thick - but it needs that much space to hold all the author wanted to contain. In a rare move, the book contains 10 different envelopes with a total of 61 pieces of paper that the reader can take out and peruse at their leisure. Copies of maps, letters, and important documents are in the envelopes, and you get the feel that you’re on an archival mission, digging up scraps of paper from the past that are an important part of our history. It’s really quite cool.
Along with the envelopes and papers, there are also pictures on almost every page of the book - portraits painted of various generals and leaders, or maps drawn by spies of where encampments were made…It’s a visual feast that I thoroughly enjoyed. It was fascinating for me to read the ledger kept by George Washington as commander-in-chief, and to see the entries made where he paid for spies to collect information.
With all of this visual information, it would have been incredibly easy to go light on the text, but honestly, the story was even more intriguing to me than the pictures. I read the book in two days, which is really fast even for me, but I just had to know “what happened next.” I told my husband that, and he drolly replied, “We won the war, honey.” 
Thanks, babe.
Mr. McCullough has an absolutely amazing ability to make his readers feel as if they are living what he’s saying. The story of taking Boston from the British literally had me on the edge of my seat. It was a daring exploit that could have so easily gone wrong. After I finished that story, I thought, “That was like the plotline for a Hollywood blockbuster!”
It was Mr. McCullough’s storytelling abilities that made me feel that way. I’m definitely going to be reading more of his books, including 1776. I’ll make sure to review it on here when I do. 
Meanwhile, 1776: Illustrated Edition was just the reminder I needed this 4th of July that the founders of this country sacrificed and struggled and died so we could be free. Several people, including George Washington, talk about how they are fighting for the millions who are yet unborn, so they could have freedom.
They fought for me.
I have never been so thankful for America and our founding fathers, as I was when I finished this book.
5 out of 5 stars. For the budding historians out there, or anyone interested in American history, this book is an absolute cannot miss.
Hava
