'1776' handles war with grace

1776, by David McCullough, Simon & Schuster, 386 pages, $32

In the past five years, we have seen a resurgence of interest in both George Washington and John Adams, two of the American presidents about whom the average American knows little. And David McCullough, a gifted historian who knows how to reach both the scholar and the average person who likes history, has done much to lead that resurgence.

In a fascinating biography just four years ago, he gave Adams a new, respected — even honored — place in history, even above that of Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin.

Now, with "1776," McCullough has done much the same for Washington (after several other scholars prepared the way — especially Joseph Ellis, with his superior biography "His Excellency: George Washington").

McCullough portrays Washington here as a commander of the colonial army, such as it was — a ragtag group of people of various ages, wearing a motley mixture of clothing and lacking military experience.

He shows that Washington, who had never led an army prior to the Revolution, made some dreadful mistakes and lost the support and trust of several of his generals. But he also shows him as a remarkable leader who inspired others,

who learned from his mistakes and who proved himself capable of dramatic successes — all during the year 1776.

For those looking for political discourse, this book will be a disappointment, because it is all about one crucial year in the war. The good news is that any reader who has not previously enjoyed books about war has a very good chance of enjoying this one, as well as learning much that is new.

With his major focus on primary sources — especially letters and diaries — McCullough brings to life many of the major figures in the Revolutionary War, both American and British. He gives personality and respectability to such British political leaders as King George III and Lord North, as well as to several British generals, especially Henry Clinton, who, in McCullough's opinion, was capable of turning the war in the British favor.

The author also convincingly indicates how deeply the British wanted to defeat the Americans, no matter how long it may have taken.