Customer Reviews

To Try Men's Souls: A Novel of George Washington and the Fight for American Freedom (George Washington 1)

5 star:		(75)
4 star:		(21)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

It's ironic that someone as politically polarizing as former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich could co-author such a straightforward, inspirational novel as "To Try Men's Souls." As someone who has never aligned with Gingrich's politics, I had to force myself not to turn away from this novel. Fortunately, my interest in colonial history prompted me to give it a chance, and I'm glad I did. This dyed-in-the-wool Democrat loved this novel by Newt Gingrich and William Forstchen.

Focused specifically, and with extraordinary detail, on the late December 1776 crossing of the Delaware and the battle of Trenton, New Jersey, the novel unequally divides the action and perspective between General Washington, Tom Paine, and a sickly private from New Jersey. The story is Wasington's, as it really should be, and he dominates the narrative. The private appears occasionally to provide the every-man, dedicated patriot perspective and also to offer insight into the brother-against-brother conflict that arose during the Revolutionary War. Paine's words, specifically "The American Crisis I," form the emotional core and bridge all three narratives together. Paine himself appears in a handful of brief episodic flashbacks; his writing is the real star, not the man.

I was moved by the story, enchanted by the attention to detail, and pleased by all of the little flourishes right down to the novel's typeface reflecting the colonial time period. This is truly a book for all Americans regardless of your political affiliations. I encourage everyone to look beyond the politics of the authors, if that is even an issue for you, and enjoy this well-written tribute to this country's patriot heroes. Highly recommended.

To Try Men's Souls follows one day in the life of George Washington's army, in an educational yet entertaining blend of story and history. At times it felt no different than reading a history book, which was not unwelcome for someone like me who would have been just as happy had it been completely nonfiction, but the fiction helped me care about this familiar story in a way I never had before, both from General Washington's point of view, and that of one of his lowliest soldiers.

The book also follows Thomas Paine as he writes The American Crisis. Indeed, the whole book seems designed to allow the reader to understand The American Crisis with all the context and emotional investment of one living during those times. As I read the copy included at the end, I could easily feel how it would have inspired those fighting for our independence.

We live in a time when patriotism is unpopular. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to reconnect with the patriotism of our founders.

'To Try Men's Souls' is a poignant and timely reminder of the challenges faced by those brave persons of the Revolutionary War 233 years ago. Imagine no adequate roads, no motorized vehicles or watercraft, rifles that had to be reloaded after each shot, and travel on a stormy night. Actually, stormy doesn't accurately describe the weather conditions that December 25th - 26th...sleet, freezing rain, bone chilling wind, snow...a night that we would have a hard time venturing out in, even with all our modern contrivances. Now add men...men who knew naught but defeat, men with mud-caked clothing little better than rags, often barefoot, suffering from a wide range of diseases caused by hunger, exposure, and substandard food and water. Men, who willingly chose to serve their young country a month longer than they were required. Add one ice choked river (crossed twice in 24 hours), a nighttime march to a daytime battle, two flooded ravines, heavy artillery, and nine miles of icy hills and fields (one way)...and waiting for you at the end, the finest fighting force of their time - the Hessians. The Battle of Trenton was so much more than just one battle in a war long ago; it was the proving point for our young nation - it was the point where our patriotic forefathers threw everything they had left at an enemy that represented the oppressive evil of bondage - be it outright slavery or fealty to a king.

What drove these brave men on this cold, miserable night in December 1776? One word - FREEDOM. The barely glowing ember of freedom was on the verge of going out as Congress had all but abandoned Philadelphia. But on that night, and with their backs against the wall, with a watchword of "Victory or Death", freedom burned fiercely in the hearts of those brave men marching on Trenton. A new country was forged on that cold December day; a day when we shifted from the united States to the United States.

Through their fictional family of Jonathan van Dorn, Newt Gingrich, William R. Forstchen, and Albert Hanser allow us to witness the very real struggle that pitted brother against brother - a struggle that was real in the Civil War as well. Even today, we often find it is easier to find a true brother in those people who share our ideology...and perhaps this is part of what it is to be an American. We are capable of looking beyond our doorstep and forging alliances born of shared struggle...bonds that are often more enduring than blood.

Woven in with the van Dorn's are General George Washington and Thomas Paine. 'To Try Men's Souls' follows their challenges and heartaches as they sought to make good on the promise of freedom and liberty set forth in the Declaration of Independence. I doubt there could have been a better commander of our Revolutionary forces than Geo. Washington - defeats, blunders, and all - for he set many precedents in war and in his presidency 20 years later that are followed to this day.

I enjoyed reading the novel, and learning a bit more about the Battle of Trenton. The writing was okay for a historical fiction - moving in some spots, especially with the `real' historical characters. Truthfully, it is more like a 4-1/2 star book, so I'm being generous with the 5. It is an easy read...although it may take you longer to read it (if you are a moderate reader) than it did for General Washington to cross the Delaware, win the battle, and return back to Pennsylvania!

In closing, we tend to forget, in the general softness of our modern age, what transpired here many generations ago. We would do well to remember that patriotic spirit...for it is part of us; all of us.

Can such a debt ever be repaid? Yes...if we never forget.

The idea of Newt Gingrich as a novelist seemed absurd; just another overreaching politician with an overdeveloped sense of his ability, I scoffed. Then I read Pearl Harbor, Days of Infamy and 1945. I was astonished by Pearl Harbor and thoroughly delighted with the other two, and I look forward to reading his novels set in the Civil War. I do not mean to labor the point, but these are good books: well-written, and terrifically entertaining.

Now Gingrich (and William R. Fortschen, who also co-wrote Pearl Harbor, Days of Infamy and 1945) has approached the Revolutionary War, its early days shortly after George Washington's retreat from New York City: the Battle of Trenton, Christmas, 1776, a fight against Hessians--German soldiers that had defeated Washington's Army at Brooklyn a few months earlier, bayoneting wounded and surrendering Marylanders even as they cried for mercy, having sacrificed themselves as a rearguard so that the Army could escape.

True to the sturcture of his other novels, To Try Men's Souls tells the story from the highest levels--General Washington--to most most humble as Thomas Paine, known throughout the Army and the country for his writing, finds insipiration from two fellow foot soldiers, brothers, one who has had enough and goes home and the younger who stays in the face of a brutal witner. Thus inspired, Paine inspired the country and, more importantly, Washington's utterly defeated and humiliated army.

The story of these three men frames this story of Christmas 1776 and, in the few weeks preceding it, the defeats and retreats from Brooklyn to Manhattan, to Fort Lee, to the Raritan River and across the Delaware River to Pennsylvania, leaving what was left of the Army to a desparate attack back across the Delaware against Hessians at Trenton. The patriot soldiers endured terrible conditions, made worse as the Army was threadbare relying on hope and virtue since they was no food, boots or warm clothes. A feckless Congress ran from Philadelphia to Baltimore leaving the army with nothing more than worlhless (although quite valuable in the 21st century collector market) continental dollars for subsistance. The soldiers and merchants alike used the notes for toilet paper.

Although familiar to most, the story is told in rich, evocative detail.

This is a good book by a fine author. You'd never know that he has a day job! Highly recommended.

Newt Gingrich and William R. Forstchen leave the Civil War and World War II to write their first book about the Revolutionary War. The book traces the disastrous defeats and retreats from Long Island, Manhattan, New Brunswick, all the way to the Delaware River near Trenton.

The biggest debacle was the Continental Army's retreat at Fort Lee in the N.J.Palisades where they fled without firing a shot and left valuable supplies behind. The missing supplies would become very important, since they included blankets and boots so desperately needed in winter warfare. Maybe the Continental Army thought the war would be over during the summer, since enlistments were for only six months! Can you imagine the troops of today just walking away and going home after such a short enlistment? That was happening, along with countless desertions, when facing the professional British troops and the Hessian mercenaries.

Gen. George Washington, Col. Henry Knox (Chief of Artillery) and Thomas Paine proved to be the real heroes in this conflict. Without their military knowledge and Thomas Paine's pamphlet "The American Crisis" to spur on the troops morale, all would have been lost. The actual recrossing of the Delaware River from McKonkey's Ferry in Pennsylvania to Trenton is a matter of history. Some little known facts are that it happened during a nor'easter, the troops were mostly barefooted and had to march nine miles through rain, mud, sleet and snow. After the Continental Army defeated the Hessians, they had to march those same nine miles back to Pennsylvania, before British reinforcements arrived. This battle on Christmas of 1776 was the first victory of consequence for the Americans and set the tone for the rest of the war.

Although I enjoyed the book, it was written more like a history lesson. The main problem was that most of the characters are real historical figures with the exception of the Jonathan Van Dorn family and his friend, Peter. I liked these side characters, but not enough time was spent on them to feel any real empathy towards them. Perhaps if the book was a hundred pages longer, there would have been more time for character development and some subplots. I also didn't think the jumping back and forth in time and events worked very well.

I'm going to read the second book in this series, Valley Forge, to see if it is more of a historical novel or another history lesson. I'm not criticizing the history, I just want to see more subplots to make it more substantial. If you are a history buff, I highly recommend this book.

I have had the pleasure to read all of the author(s) books and found this one to be educational and inspirtaional. The story is well written and brings to life the days leading up to and after Washington's heroic crossing of the Deleware which brought life to our country. Amazing and spell binding as we witness this battle in the front row.

First class!!

In writing "To Try Men's Souls," authors Newt Gingrich and William Fortschen have done a masterful job of piecing together General George Washington's Christmas day attack against the Hessians, accurately coordinating Washington's narratives with his army's movement, the historical time of day and the topographical challenges that were faced, as the Revolution pushed forward.

All good stories must carry a strong rollercoaster of emotions. In the book's multi-narrative structure, we go from following Washington, as he and his men slog through miles of mud, their bare and wounded feet leaving trails of blood, to following Colonel Rall, a leader of the opposing Hessian forces, whose troops sit in the comfort of warm fires. Rall's hatred towards America is documented well, as the story speaks of the Hessians imprisoning American soldiers and humiliating them, with various public displays of horror.

Thus, as our American forces close in on Trenton, where a hungover Hessian army awaits, sleepy from Christmas Eve celebrations, our bloodlust is satisfied! We feast on the fainted Hessians, vigorously gunning them down and crushing their skulls!

It is a strong emotional point - after wading through freezing water, with no boots, no food, and spending the entire evening in sub-zero temperatures, our thoughts become that of pure animal - we want these Hessians to die. We feel it.

Vengeance - an desire difficult to capture, written perfectly by the authors.

However, let it be noted that our American forces quickly fed and took care of those Hessians that surrendered. We are "Americans" after all, is what Washington tells the Hessian leaders, who are surprised at his American mercy.

The second notable reason to read this book is that of Washington's leadership. I offer a special point - author Newt Gingrich, arguably, is the most accomplished Congressman who has ever served.

Consider this fact - no modern American President, with the exception of George W. Bush, has ever seen his Party make gains in both the House and Senate. By outlining the "Contract With America" and coordinating hundreds of Republican campaigns under one umbrella, Gingrich architected the most successful political victory of our times, capturing both the House and Senate in 1994.

In turn, the book beautifully shares Washington's anecdotes on leadership. At one point, Washington, with a group of men watching, is told that the storms ahead are too harsh and that the march should be abandoned; without missing a beat, Washington quickly announces that the storm is a "blessing" from God that will further relax the Hessians, thus favoring his men's chances. My suspicions are that Gingrich is sharing with us his best lessons on leadership through the narrative of Washington - the psychology behind a true leader, as written by a tested leader.

Lastly, I share the most beautiful line from the book, as reflected by Washington:

"This day had united them. No longer, at least for this moment, were they Virginians and Marylanders, men of Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and New York. They were comrades, united by the shared bond of blood, suffering, and, at last, this victory. They were the army of these United States of America..."

To truly appreciate the paragraph above, the men whose feet bled from Pennsylvania to Trenton, in pursuit of not just a Hessian army, but a dream of liberty... to truly appreciate it, one will have to read the entire book.

Muhammad Ali Hasan
Oct 2009

Best yet of the Gingrich-Forstchen collaboration - and the bar was set pretty high to begin with...

The stories of the American Revolution are often overshadowed by those of the Civil War, World War II, and Vietnam. This book, which hopefully is the first of a series, looks at the Revolution at a critical time and presents history incredibly accurately within a novel that makes for simply great reading.

Characters are well-developed and the formerly obscure (the Hessians, for example) are explained so that their roles in the conflict are finally known. The research that went into this story is flawless - the authors carefully have crafted this work to stand as a reliable source of information and learning while keeping the story interesting and fast-paced.

TO TRY MEN'S SOULS is well written and insightful. The American soldiers fighting in the Revolutionary War were farmers, merchants, clerks, very young men and school boys. They were up against some of the finest professional solders from Europe. The well disciplined British troops were confident and had the best equipment. The hired Hessian soldiers were brutal warriors who took no prisoners alive. Most American men had no military experience and had used rifles for hunting purposes only.

This important and timely book gives us a part of the Revolutionary War when the American army was at a low and desperate period. The Americans were demoralized after they had made a embarrassing retreat from New York. The winter of 1776 was very cold and many enlistments were up. Even George Washington could not convince thousands of men to stay and continue fighting. Our soldiers were demoralized. Their clothing was ragged, many had no shoes and their feet were frostbitten. They had not been paid for a long time and Congress had fled from the capital of Philadelphia. It seemed to many that the fight for independence was over.

This story is told through the voices of George Washington, Thomas Paine, and a young soldier. It shows that even in the worst of times and in situations that seem impossible, perseverance, strength, honor and courage can, indeed, win in the end. The three voices gave a well rounded look at that desperate point during the American Revolution and gave me a better understanding of the situation. Thomas Paine's, thoughts called THE AMERICAN CRISIS was also included in the book. His words are still inspirational today. This is a book every American needs to read. I'm glad that I did.

God Bless America!

One of the best books I've read all year (and it's been a great year for books). This story should be required reading for all Americans.

If you can read further than sixty pages with no tears, then you have a heart of stone.

"To Try Men's Souls" is the gut wrenching story of George Washington leading his army across the Delaware River on Christmas Eve to attack an outpost of Hessians (German mercenary soldiers) in Trenton, New Jersey, in a desperate attempt to salvage a failing war effort. The battle of Trenton was the turning point in the American Revolutionary War. Discouraged Americans who were already preparing to concede defeat were rejuvenated by Washington's success at Trenton.

The story shows the price that our brave forefathers paid to gain their freedom and defeat the tyranny of the crown to establish our nation. The story is told through the eyes of General Washington, Thomas Paine, and a New Jersey foot soldier. Washington had suffered a string of recent defeats and was desperate to keep his army together at a time when most of their six-month enlistments were ending. These men who had been so motivated when they enlisted in June, 1776, with new uniforms and plenty to eat were freezing to death as they marched in December.

Washington called on Thomas Paine to write a follow-up to his "Common Sense" pamphlet that had inspired so many Colonists earlier that year. The result was "The Crisis", where Paine wrote: "These are the times that try men's souls: The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman."

This book is incredible; I only wish it were longer (by at least another thousand pages or so). The story couldn't be more timely for our country in these days when so many are questioning whether our elected officials adequately represent us. This book is a wakeup call reminding us all not to stand by and squander the priceless gift our forefathers fought so hard to provide us. Our country is too precious to stand by as "sunshine patriots" and let our fates be decided by others.