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34 of 35 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Read this book to understand the romance of patriotism, March 7, 1999
This review is from: The Winter Soldiers: The Battles for Trenton and Princeton (Paperback)
George Washington may not have heaved a silver dollar across the Potomac, but as Ketchum illustrates in "The Winter Soldiers", the General earned most of the other heroic tales and descriptions attached to his name: Father of our Country, the Indispensible Man, the glue who held the army together. This account of our revolution during its darkest and most forlorn hours is riveting and well researched. Ketchum brings to life the battles of Trenton and Princeton - which arguably were the most timely and important victories of the war. What fascinates, and underscores the pedestal we have built under Washington, is how much he shouldered the burdens of the cause alone -- and how he made critical and bold decisions that kept the flame of independence from burning out in the hearts of his countrymen. This is my second Ketchum book. I read Saratoga this past summer and also enjoyed it very much. Readers who like "Civil War" style writing with unit descriptions and first person sources from the soldiers who fought won't be disappointed. Read this book and you'll come away with a love and appreciation of the greatness of George Washington and an understanding of the heroic trials our forefathers undertook earning our liberties and independence.
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22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
You Could Track Them...by the Blood of Their Feet..., December 26, 2000
This review is from: The Winter Soldiers: The Battles for Trenton and Princeton (Paperback)
Trenton and Princeton were so critical to the success of the Revolution that the password for the Trenton operation was 'Victory or Death.' Author and historian Richard Ketchum has captured this desperation in his excellent narrative of the campaign, along with the anguish, heartbreak, and jubilation that usually accompany military operations and battles lost and won. A careful, methodical historian, Ketchum's books are all interesting and need to be read and reread. This one is no exception. Both sides are covered completely and fairly, and the personalities abound for us to ponder, shoake our heads at, or admire. Washington was near-peerless in this campaign, from his battlefield leadership at Princeton, where his aide-de-camp shielded his eyes at what he thought was his chief's impending death, to the careful, almost desperate, planning for the daring river crossing of the ice-choked Delaware and the march to Trenton. It is easy to dismiss or take for granted the Father of our Country over two hundred years later, but he was a towering figure to his peers, countrymen, and enemies. This book, and its author, give him his due as a soldier, patriot, and leader of men. This book is a good read, it's historically accurate, and it is a valuable addition to the literature of both the Revolution and the Continental Army that won it.
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16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful description of a fascinating Campaign, September 15, 2002
This review is from: The Winter Soldiers: The Battles for Trenton and Princeton (Paperback)
While I tend to read books on military history, I have not read much about the American Revolution. Thus I picked up this book to fill in gaps in my research. I found this book to be a wonderful work describing the American Revolution from its origins through Washington's brilliant winter campaign at Trenton and Princeton. Before covering the battles named in the title, Ketcham provides a solid summary of the origins of the war, discusses some of the politics and difficulties both sides faced. His discription of the conflict between not just the armies, but the citizenry was very interesting. The book describes the sad cycle of violence and revenge between Tory and Patriot as armies moved back and forth. For me it put the revolution in a new light. The discussion of military operations begins with the campaign in NewYork. It is covered quickly, but in sufficient detail to understand the action. This is important because it sets the scene to understand the reasons for the titled battles, Trenton and Princeton. The book really shines in this coverage. I was entralled with the text and speed through it. It was a wonder to me that after the disasterous New York campaign Washington was able to keep his army together and perform a series of brilliant maneuvers that just completely stymied the British forces. After reading this book I have a new found respect for Washington as a military leader. He is frequently dismissed as a general, but I now think that his leadership in this campaign should rank with the greatest. I found this book to be very memorable, and probably worth rereading at a later date. I recommend it for any one interested in learning about this period of the American Revolution, especially if you do not have a great deal of background in the subject.
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