What Are You Reading?

What Are You

Reading?

What Are You Reading? A project sponsored by the Friends of the Macomb Public Library District to encourage reading and book discussion in our community. Would you like to share your favorite books with other readers? Please send your name, occupation or grade level, book author and title, and a brief statement about the book and why you liked it to Kate Joswick, [email protected].

Reviewer’s Name: Phoebe Bormet Reviewer’s Occupation: Retired Book Title: 1776 Book’s Author: David McCullough This is a great year to read David McCullough’s book 1776. On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress voted unanimously to dissolve the connection with Great Britain. John Hancock sent the Declaration of Independence to George Washington and two days later it arrived and he proclaimed it to the army. For the reader who likes following battles and war strategy this is a detailed account of the many battles. For me, the details of the individuals and their perseverance and struggles is the real story. Woven into the McCullough’s narrative are fascinating details like the fact that New England men were averse to washing their own clothes and considered women’s work. The British on the other hand, included women in their army who did the washing. This extremely well documented work is a stark reminder of sustained hardships, suffering, diseases, hunger, desertion, defeat, fear, and loneliness the men endured. Many odds were against them and it was a miracle that in 1883 the war was ended with the Treaty of Paris. And today, we get to celebrate our country’s 250th birthday!