1776 Year of Illusions [Hardcover]

Thomas J. Fleming (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1996

Provides a close-up, illustrated study of a pivotal year in American and world history, as a group of American patriots draws up a Declaration of Independence and a military force, under the leadership of George Washington, embarks on a quest for freedom.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 525 pages
• Publisher: Book Sales (August 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0785807241
• ISBN-13: 978-0785807247
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 2.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,280,546 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

"How do you write a book?" 24 year old Thomas Fleming asked bestselling writer Fulton Oursler in 1951. "Write four pages a day," Oursler said. "Every day except Sunday. Whether you feel like it or not. Inspiration consists of putting the seat of your pants on the chair at your desk." Fleming has followed this advice to good effect. His latest effort, "The Intimate Lives of the Founding Fathers," is his 50th published book. Twenty three of them have been novels. He is the only writer in the history of the Book of the Month Club to have main selections in fiction and in nonfiction. Many have won prizes. Recently he received the Burack Prize from Boston University for lifetime achievement. In nonfiction he has specialized in the American Revolution. He sees Intimate Lives as a perfect combination of his double talent as a novelist and historian. "Novelists focus on the imtimate side of life. This is the first time anyone has looked at the intimate side of the lives of these famous Americans, with an historian's eyes." Fleming was born in Jersey City, the son of a powerful local politician. He has had a lifetime interest in American politics. He also wrote a history of West Point which the New York Times called "the best...ever written." Military history is another strong interest. He lives in New York with his wife, Alice Fleming, who is a gifted writer of books for young readers.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A book that gives a real sense of time & place., June 20, 1998

By 

Darren Wiseman ([e-mail]) (New York, N.Y.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 1776 Year of Illusions (Hardcover)

In "1776 Year of Illusions" the author takes his readers back in time. The personalities of the individuals on both sides of the Revolutionary War come out in suprising and fascinating passages. Myths and misconceptions are swept aside as we see the reality of day to day life in a land where war and suspicion are spreading. We meet an array of interesting characters, some famous and some not, whose actions bring a new nation into being. The author illimunates the motives behind those actions without ever being dry or dull. It is a work of Solid History enhanced by the exciting and unpredictable character of human nature

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellant Book about the American Revolution, April 14, 2002

By 

"fx_gent" (Fairfax, VA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 1776 Year of Illusions (Hardcover)

Mr. Fleming skillfully disects a significant year in US history, providing a detailed and fascinating tableau of the events that occured. As an American history buff, I was very surprised to realize how much I did not know about 1776. When I finished, I found myself hoping that the author would do the same for the other years of the American Revolution. I ran across this book and took a chance on it, despite not knowing about the writer. I was very surprised at how much I liked it and highly recommend the book.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must for History Buffs, February 7, 1999

By 

Man of La Book (NJ USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: 1776 Year of Illusions (Hardcover)

I could hardly put this book down, a fascinating read from the page one. This book does away with all the myths about the American revolution, and tells the reader how things really happened.

Boy, are we lucky...