The superb David McCullough has a new book out ... and it is called 1776 and nobody told me???? I feel so betrayed!!
Now excuse me as I gush like a little girl:
McCullough's biography of John Adams was one of the best books I've ever read. And now he has written a book that takes the year 1776, and breaks it down day by day, step by step. We're talking about a microscopic look at that momentous year.
Oh GOD, he is totally the man to write such a book.
I could barely get through the review in The New Yorker ... I was too excited to settle down and read. I wish I could have the book air-lifted to my house immediately.
What I find most exciting is that Washington, by necessity, if you think about that year, is really the star of the book. The guys in Philadelphia, hashing out the Declaration, are (and were) peripheral. The writing of the Declaration (now seen as such a tremendous moment) was little more than a formality at the time. They needed to declare their intentions to King George, but it was more of something to check off a list, something that needed to be done ... rather than a moment when the gods on high descended and flowed out of Jefferson's pen. One of the reasons why the Declaration so amazes me is that it was NOT borne out of a holy-halo glow of sanctity, it was NOT the most important moment ... it was a bit of housekeeping, it was a memo. The fact that Jefferson managed to infuse that document with such hope for humanity, such a STAND for the dignity of mankind, is quite incredible.
BUT. 1776, if you pull back, and get perspective, is much more about Washington, and the actual war being fought.
So I am so thrilled that McCullough - such a marvelous biographer - is turning his focus onto George Washington. I've read a couple different biographies of Washington, and I have to say: the guy remains a bit of an enigma. Not like John Adams, who was an open emotional volatile book. Washington fascinates, because of what he DOESn't say. I can't wait to hear McCullough's take on the guy.
McCullough is one of my writing idols and I am so excited right now that I actually feel like crying. Read that New Yorker article ... you'll see why. Especially when you get to the last paragraph.
GEEK ALERT!! Sheila's a wicked huge geek!!!
Posted by sheilaYour lucky day, Newsweek has excerpts.
Your filter won't let me post the link, so here's the first paragraph:
May 23 issue - On first arriving in Cambridge, Massachusetts, to take command of the Continental Army in midsummer, the forty-three-year-old George Washington moved into one of the largest, most elegant houses in town, a gray clapboard Georgian mansion half a mile from the college on the King's Highway. Three stories tall, with an unobstructed view of the Charles River, it belonged to a wealthy Loyalist who, fearing for his life and the lives of his family, had abandoned the place, fine furnishings and all, to take refuge in Boston. For Washington, who had a fondness for handsome architecture and river views, the house suited perfectly, his office established in a drawing room off the front hall.
Posted by: Rob A. at May 16, 2005 9:21 PMRob - yum. I'm in heaven. Thanks for that. :)
Posted by: red at May 16, 2005 11:18 PMGEEK ALERT!! Sheila's a wicked huge geek!!!
Well, duh.
Posted by: Mark at May 17, 2005 1:47 PMMark - yeah, really. I really don't need to have a "geek alert" because ... uhm ... I'm a geek on a daily basis.
Posted by: red at May 17, 2005 2:04 PMI know you're on an early-republic kick, but have you ever read Truman? I loved John Adams, but I think this is McCullough's masterwork. Admittedly, I'm a bit biased (Truman is by far my favorite president), but the book is outstanding.
Posted by: Independent George at May 17, 2005 4:16 PMOk, I'm in the mood for procastinating, so I'm reprinting the dreadful story I posted in Anne's comments section a while back. Here lies the tragic tale of our second president, mad geek love, and a felony most narrowly averted:
May 2001, Chicago
I'd just finished reading John Adams, and was at the Harold Washington Library to attend a lecture/book signing with David McCullough.
He'd just finished the lecture portion of the evening, and so the audience began lining up to get our books signed. As it happened, I wound up right behind this cute girl who was carrying not only John Adams, but also Truman and Mornings on Horseback. As it happened, I was also carrying my dog-eared copy of Truman in addition to John Adams, and so I immediately struck up a conversation with her.
The line was moving slowly, so we started talking about McCullough, Truman, Adams, and presidential history in general. I impressed her with my knowledge of the Adams letters (John & Abigail). She made a joke about TJ Pendergast, and I was smitten. This was unusual for me - to this day, I've never quite overcome my teenaged awkwardness with girls I like, but this was different. I wasn't hitting on her - we connected, and were having a conversation as though we knew each other for years.
"History major?"
"Econ, actually. Just a history geek."
"Hahahaha. I know the feeling."
"What about you? History major?"
"No, haven't decided yet. I just finished my freshman year."
"Yeah, definitely too early to decide. I started out as biochem, and changed majors my third year."
"You mean as a junior?"
"Yeah, junior - it's a U of C thing. 1st-year, 2nd-year, 3rd year, Senior. Don't ask me why."
"So you go to the U of C?"
"Went. Just graduated a couple months ago. I'm working as an office temp until I figure out what I want to do for real."
"Heh, thank God I don't have to worry about that for a while. How do you like the U of C?"
"Oh, it's great. Perfect for geeks like me."
"I'm actually thinking about going there."
"What, transferring? It's a great experience. Where are you going to school now?"
"No, not transferring - just applying as a regular incoming student."
"I thought you said you were already in school?"
"Yes, I am."
"So..."
"High school. I'm thinking about applying to the U of C for when I go to college."
???
...
!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"Bye."
Posted by: Independent George at May 17, 2005 4:32 PMHAHAHAHA oh no!!!!
Posted by: red at May 17, 2005 4:38 PMI know... To this day, I've only told this story to two people whom I actually know. No offense, Red, but I really hope that none of my friends read your blog. Or if they do, that they won't be able to connect my ever-so-impenetrable online alias to my secret identity.
Posted by: Independent George at May 17, 2005 4:56 PM