by Newt Gingrich , William R. Forstchen, Albert S. Hanser, William Dufris, Callista Gingrich
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This second title in the George Washington series (after To Try Men's Souls) offers an energetic dramatization of the Continental Army's grim winter bivouac at Valley Forge, Pa., in 1777. The bulk of the narrative is filtered through the sensitive eyes of young Pvt. Peter Wellsley, a member of Washington's elite headquarters guard detail, while Washington's chief lieutenants, including French aristocrat Lafayette, Prussian drillmaster Baron von Steuben, and tempestuous commissary commander "Mad Anthony" Wayne are vividly sketched. Meanwhile, the political intrigues of Gen. Horatio Gates (the dubious hero of Saratoga) to unseat Washington as he struggles to survive at Valley Forge play out in Congress. Finally, in June 1778, Washington attacks the British pulling back from Philadelphia to New York City and scores a redemptive victory with an able assist from American soldiers' wives, like Molly Pitcher, who carry water and ammo to sustain the battle line. Gingrich and Forstchen recreate the sights and smells of the Continental Army's hand-to-mouth camp life and the battlefield action around Valley Forge with a brisk panache that should bode well for future entries. (Nov.)
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Writing team Gingrich and Forstchen follow up the success of To Try Men’s Souls (2009) with another novelization of a seminal episode in the history of Revolutionary-era America. Once again, George Washington provides both the narrative focal point and the moral core of the story, as he and his fledgling Continental Army struggle to survive the bitter winter of 1777 at Valley Forge. Undernourished, ill-clothed, and utterly dispirited by the lack of organized support from Congress, Washington and his ragtag band of brothers nevertheless persevere under the most trying of circumstances, transforming themselves—with a bit of timely assistance from Baron von Steuben—into a more disciplined and determined fighting force. The dialogue tends to get a little long-winded, and the authors are unabashed cheerleaders for GW—but, really, who can blame them? American readers can’t get enough of Valley Forge, so expect high demand for this fair-to-middling fictional adaptation. High Demand Backstory: The former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and his coauthor have made a name for themselves in their writing partnership. --Margaret Flanagan --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
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