Uncool History - John Adams & 1776

Jeff's Uncool history series continues with a look at the founding of the good ol' US of A.

"John Adams" by David McCullough
"1776" by David McCullough

David McCullough is quite simply 'The Man' when it comes to history books. They are just so well researched and readable that you can't help but get sucked into these incredible stories. I would have never thought that John Adams would be a dude worth reading about but this book is absolutely essential if you want to understand anything about the founding of the country.

"1776" was a side book that came about from McCullough's research into "John Adams" so in a sense, these books go together as companion pieces.

What I learned:

A) How much was at stake during all of this - these guys would have been better off just letting things go the way they were going but they all decided to stick it to England at great risk to their money and their lives.

B) How hopeless it was - They had no business competing let alone winning a war against England.

C) How smart everyone was - It was very primitive but everyone was very, very well read and wanted to better themselves.

D) What a douche Thomas Jefferson was - Every book I've ever read seems to point to the fact that TJ was a piece of crap. I wasn't there, so I don't know, but a pattern is emerging...

HAPPY 4th!!!