Six months after the Declaration of Independence, the American Revolution was all but lost. A powerful British force had routed the Americans at New York, occupied three colonies, and advanced within sight of Philadelphia. Yet, as David Hackett Fischer recounts in this riveting history, George Washington--and many other Americans--refused to let the Revolution die. On Christmas night, as a howling nor'easter struck the Delaware Valley, he led his men across the river and attacked the exhausted Hessian garrison at Trenton, ...
Read More
Six months after the Declaration of Independence, the American Revolution was all but lost. A powerful British force had routed the Americans at New York, occupied three colonies, and advanced within sight of Philadelphia. Yet, as David Hackett Fischer recounts in this riveting history, George Washington--and many other Americans--refused to let the Revolution die. On Christmas night, as a howling nor'easter struck the Delaware Valley, he led his men across the river and attacked the exhausted Hessian garrison at Trenton, killing or capturing nearly a thousand men. A second battle of Trenton followed within days. The Americans held off a counterattack by Lord Cornwallis's best troops, then were almost trapped by the British force. Under cover of night, Washington's men stole behind the enemy and struck them again, defeating a brigade at Princeton. The British were badly shaken. In twelve weeks of winter fighting, their army suffered severe damage, their hold on New Jersey was broken, and their strategy was ruined. Fischer's richly textured narrative reveals the crucial role of contingency in these events. We see how the campaign unfolded in a sequence of difficult choices by many actors, from generals to civilians, on both sides. While British and German forces remained rigid and hierarchical, Americans evolved an open and flexible system that was fundamental to their success. The startling success of Washington and his compatriots not only saved the faltering American Revolution, but helped to give it new meaning.
Read Less
Add this copy of Washington's Crossing (Pivotal Moments in American to cart. $2.36, like new condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Reno rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Reno, NV, UNITED STATES, published 2006 by Oxford University Press.
Add this copy of Washington's Crossing (Pivotal Moments in American to cart. $2.36, like new condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Dallas rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2006 by Oxford University Press.
Add this copy of Washington's Crossing (Pivotal Moments in American to cart. $2.36, very good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Atlanta rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Austell, GA, UNITED STATES, published 2006 by Oxford University Press.
Add this copy of Washington's Crossing (Pivotal Moments in American to cart. $2.36, very good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Reno rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Reno, NV, UNITED STATES, published 2006 by Oxford University Press.
Add this copy of Washington's Crossing (Pivotal Moments in American to cart. $2.36, very good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Dallas rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2006 by Oxford University Press.
Add this copy of Washington's Crossing (Pivotal Moments in American to cart. $2.36, good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Atlanta rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Austell, GA, UNITED STATES, published 2006 by Oxford University Press.
Add this copy of Washington's Crossing (Pivotal Moments in American to cart. $2.36, good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Dallas rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2006 by Oxford University Press.
Add this copy of Washington's Crossing (Pivotal Moments in American to cart. $2.36, good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Baltimore rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Halethorpe, MD, UNITED STATES, published 2006 by Oxford University Press.
Add this copy of Washington's Crossing (Pivotal Moments in American to cart. $2.36, fair condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Baltimore rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Halethorpe, MD, UNITED STATES, published 2006 by Oxford University Press.
Add this copy of Washington's Crossing (Pivotal Moments in American to cart. $2.36, good condition, Sold by OnlineGoodwill rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Nashville, TN, UNITED STATES, published 2006 by OUP Us.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Good. A copy that has been read, but remains in clean condition. All pages are solid. the cover is intact, but may show scuffs or light creases, as well as a possible rolled corner. The spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting, The former owner may have written their name inside the front or back cover. COVER WILL VARY.
Everyone's classic image of Washington crossing the Delaware River gets examined in great detail. Any reader will see this story through to the end because of the way that it's told.
Bryan K
Oct 14, 2010
Well written.
Great book. Very well written and easy to follow. The author definitely did his homework. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about the battles of Trenton and Princeton.
davemc
Dec 18, 2008
Great Read
I had not read much about the Revolutionary War before picking up this book. I first heard the author speak on a podcast and then purchased the book. I learned more in the first 15 pages of this book than I had learned in my entire public school education. I had no idea what hardships these men faced at the time of the War. I also learned so much about the managing style of George Washington. The obstacles that he had to overcome and his ability to manage a group of people that had so little in common was truly amazing. I had heard of the Hessians all through school, but never had any idea of who they really were or why they were here in America. The style of writing history has changed so much recently and I am very grateful. These new historians are writing for people like myself. I am not a student or a scholar, but am an American wanting to learn more about how our country was formed. The more that I read, the more that I am grateful that we had such great leaders at this very momentous time in our history. I will share my book with several of my family members.
BillinVA
Sep 25, 2008
Awesome
David Hackett Fisher's 'Washington's Crossing" is possibly one of the best military history books I've ever read. The prose is clear and engaging. The content well researched. If you enjoy good writing and accurate history, this book is for you.
Francesca
May 10, 2007
To become a nation
Fischer writes well. It matters. But the fine style conveys excellent scholarship. This means that you interiorize the characters and come freshly onto the plot. The plot is something that probably has got lost in memory's fog: Washington crossing the Deleware is so vague to most of us that have no idea how much we owe to this one piece of strategy. And how much we owe to this one man, who sank into a sobbing break-down after one more military loss--to the extent that his subordinates doubted his ability to continue his job. Out of some deep well of character and determination, he drew what he--and we--needed to become a nation.
