David McCullough has twice received the Pulitzer Prize for books based on his historical research, Truman and John Adams. McCullough brings that same desire for accurate and extensive research to 1776. Reviewing both American and British archives, McCullough discusses the period from October 26, 1775, when King George III informed Parliament of his desire to crush the American rebellion, to late December, 1776, when Washington crossed the Delaware and defeated the Hessian troops in Trenton. The author shows his ability to describe events simultaneously from the American and British point of view without losing the continuity of the story. Much of the narrative centers on George Washington, his trusted officer General Nathaniel Greene, and his artillery engineer Henry Knox, but the reader gets plenty of background and overall information as well. Also included are color portraits of some of the major players during the war, as well as black and white graphics of other people and events. If you like research yourself, the book includes 48 pages of source notes and a 25-page bibliography. This book would be a great way to start a study of the American War for Independence for a high school student. Bob