Staff Picks #4: "1776"

For the fourth edition of Staff Picks, we bring you a wonderful recommendation from Patricia (Pat) Barrett. Pat works in the Suber Archives and Special Collections of Lewis Library. Her recommendation if for the book 1776, by David McCullough. You can find this item in the library on the bottom floor using the call number, E208 .M396 2005. McCullough, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author, explores the events, people, and extraordinary moments of courage that led to the founding of our country. This is an eloquent story of that tumultuous year. Here's what Pat had to say about this book:

Pulitzer Prize winning David McCullough has brought George Washington and the citizen soldiers who served under him, farmers, teachers, doctors and other ordinary men, to life describing the immense challenges these patriots had to confront in the face of the British military juggernaut. The men who devoted their lives to the patriot cause had to endure extreme cold, sickness, and lack of arms but even these were not enough to deter them. Their courage and ingenuity was in stark contrast to others who responded in to these privations by running away or deserting to the British. After Americans declared their independence in 1776, it was nothing short of miraculous that this country survived and it was largely due to the efforts of George Washington who set aside regional and personal differences to allow the most able people to serve with him.

Are you interested in this title, but not the world's fastest reader? The library also has in the collection the audio book version of 1776, which spans 10 sound discs. "[He] narrates in a sonorous, grandfatherly voice, keeping his speech vibrant and engaging, as if he were simply telling a story."—Publishers Weekly. The audiobook version of 1776 was an Audie Award finalist and winner of a 2005 PublishersWeekly Listen Up award. Takes Pat's advice and check out this book or audio book over your Christmas break!