“The reflection upon my situation and that of this army produces many an uneasy hour when all around me are wrapped in sleep. Few people know the predicament we are in.”
~ George Washington
January 14, 1776
Interesting.
Was this man also prophetic?
In a recent discussion with my students concerning our current economic crisis, one student commented that she had heard this situation could be worse than the Great Depression.
My response: “Not for a while, for so many do not even realize what is happening today here in our country.”
Then as I began reading David McCullough’s 1776, I discovered Ge
orge Washington’s quote (page 1) that so eerily echoed our current “predicament.” Yes, go back and read it again!
I will be interested to read more about President George Washington’s part in the dramatic unfolding of the year of our Declaration of Independence.
Why am I reading 1776? My goal: to read a biography of each of the US Presidents. A goal that initiated this summer as I strolled around Mt. Vernon, a place steeped in history and motivation.
Please share any suggestions for other biographies. I have also purchased David McCullough’s John Adams and Mornings on Horseback and John McCain’s Faith of Our Fathers.
Why this sudden interest? One, I had really hoped to read 1776 before teaching my “A Pioneer Never Quits” unit for all the background information I might obtain (well…we are completing the unit this week, so that is a one sub-goal that I will not meet). Two? History was my weakest subject area in high school and college, so since I love to read, why not use this activity to overcome a huge hole in my education?
Never fear, though, I have discovered another means to use this novel: 1776 will be one of my mentor texts when teaching my students how to embedd quotes. McCullough’s extensive use of research is clearly reflected throughout and will provide this teacher with another novel on which to do a book talk.
