July 4, 2006

This 4th of July holiday I hope we will all spend a little time reflecting on those who helped to form this nation. Recently, I finished reading John Adams and 1776 both written by David McCullough. Both books are superbly written preserving historical accuracy while wrapping you in the action and emotions that created the United States of America.

Mr. McCullough gave an address at Brigham Young University on September 27, 2005 entitled “The Glorious Cause of America: How a coarse, untrained army-’rabble in arms’-stood up to the world’s most powerful army.”

History as taught in schools is pitifully boring at best. Students are required to temporarily memorize dates and names to pass a silly multiple choice or fill-in-the-blank test. In more advanced classes, students are required to prepare for an essay questions that test the ability to contrast certain historical figures, types of government, policies, and other philosophies of the studied era.

One thing that we have left out in our history books is that the end was not known to those involved-that our history was their present, and that those involved knew as little of their future as we do of ours. They struggled with various personalities, arguments, debates, conflicts, and resolutions. The army struggled very hard to maintain soldiers especially throughout the winter. Also of note, organized armed conflict between the colonies and the British Empire had commenced long before the Declaration of Independence was signed.

Take a trip to your local bookstore or Internet retailer and purchase 1776 or John Adams and spend some time reflecting on the many miracles that took place to create and maintain the fledgling United States of America.

Read the transcript from Mr. McCullough’s remarks located at http://magazine.byu.edu/?act=view&a=1746

View answers from a question and answer session at http://magazine.byu.edu/?act=view&a=1753