Dear Great Book Guru, What an exciting weekend awaits us here in Sea Cliff!  The Civic Association’s 4th of July celebration on the Village Green at 10am this year will be followed by a parade down Sea Cliff Avenue led by world acclaimed bagpiper Paul Haining. The parade’s destination…  Sea Cliff‘s newest park: Lincoln Plaza!  Native son Donald Mullen will return in his role as Abraham Lincoln for the Plaza’s dedication.  Then, of course, there is the Beach Committee’s iconic event: the Palooza- all day Saturday there will be music, games, prizes, great food and drink!  But when will I get time to read?   Loving the Red, White, and Blue

Dear Loving…..This is indeed a spectacular weekend ahead and I do have a great book for you to read –David McCullough’s 1776, a rousing, fresh look at the year that changed the course of American history.  McCullough’s approach is fascinating. Throughout, he pairs the two George’s- King and General- and shows their common humanity. He introduces us to shopkeepers, lawyers, farmers who changed history. He shows how disease, horrific weather- and most of all luck- good and bad- all   played crucial roles throughout that tumultuous year. While carefully documented, the book reads like an exciting adventure novel, so much so that we almost forget we know the ending, but no spoiler alerts needed. Happy 4th and see you on the Village Green!