Washington's Crossing (Pivotal Moments in American History) 1st Edition, Kindle Edition

This is an excellent piece of historical research which won the Pulitzer Prize. The research is first rate and when combined with the literary skill of its author, the result is one of the best history books written in the 21st century. I was ecstatic to read this book. As I began I could tell early in the first chapter I was reading a really good narrative account. I really have to commend David Fischer for this work. Fischer is the Earl Warren Professor of History at Brandeis University. This is his eighth historical monograph. He has written on several aspects of American History, but tends to concentrate on the American Revolution era. One of the complaints we hear about history books is that they are hard to read and many are. Fischer has written enough books to develop a good writing style and has learned to write so that the general public can read the works. This is a major defining point for historians who often are not understood by the public. Some are not able to move beyond academic writing styles, but as this book proves, Fischer has moved past that point and that is a very good thing. Normally, I do not read too much military history, but this book is the exception to my policy. The narrative sets up the battles that took place at New York, Trenton, and Princeton as well as covers what took place afterword. Instead of being nothing but military history, Fischer takes pains to include the political and human aspect of the events in question. The analysis is heavily dependent upon primary sources, specifically personal correspondence. I kept noticing what was being used as evidence throughout the book and it was plainly obvious that personal correspondence drove Fischer’s interpretations. I was very happy to see that he also did not bring up John Adams’ phantom list of Americans to be executed when he was mentioning the events in the New York City campaign. To me, that showed Fischer was not using secondary sources as his inspiration, but instead using the primary sources almost exclusively. (I am pretty sure that the list was a figment of John Adams’ vanity as no one else ever mentioned it). It is also plain to see that Fischer actually walked the grounds he was describing in the book. I noticed his maps reflected both the modern and past details. This is definitely a must read book for anyone who studies the American Revolution. Fischer’s work answers some questions I had about this particular event as well as reveals what is legend and what is factual. History is often seen through the legendary lens which results in severe distortions, but not in this book.

David Hackett Fischer has done an excellent job of supporting his thesis - that Washington's bold maneuvers on Christmas Day of 1776 and the next days and weeks were absolutely vital to changing the momentum of the Revolutionary and preventing an early termination to the fight for independence by the continental forces. His book is well written throughout and it is hard to pick out highlights, but the following are some of the elements of the book that I consider memorable.The painting by Emmanuel Leutze is praised for dramatically symbolizing how the Battle of Trenton and the Revolutionary War were "a collision between two discoveries about the human condition that were made in the early modern era." One discovery was that a society based on liberty could actually work and the other was that soldiers (and other citizens) could function effectively, responsibly, and creatively if they were trained not as servants or robots, but as willing participants.Mr. Fischer devotes several chapters to the British forces, including the Hessians. He points out that the British army was experienced, disciplined, and put together to be successful. The fifteen British generals on Staten Island were "on the average forty-eight years old in 1776, with thirty years of military service. By comparison, the twenty-one American generals who opposed them in New York were forty-three years old, with two years of military service." Its primary leaders, Cornwallis and the Howe brothers were sympathetic to the American cause, but were still committed to terminating the revolution as efficiently and quickly as possible.The raw numbers that summarize the three battles might not have been dramatic, but the effect on the momentum and attitudes were monumental. At Trenton on December 26, 1776, the Americans won a decisive victory. Twenty two Hessians were killed and 896 captured. Washington's initial guess was that Americans had "two officers and one or two privates wounded," but Fischer points out that many more died of exhaustion, exposure and illness. Total losses at the second battle of Trenton, initiated by General Cornwallis one week later, were 100 Americans, 140 Hessians, and 225 British troops. Then at Princeton, British casualties (killed, wounded, and captured) were 450 as compared to American casualties of 70. Then the forage wars of the winter of 1777 were also significant, but probably would have been less effective if not for the impact on morale of the Trenton and Princeton victories.The difference between Washington and Cornwallis was meaningful. Cornwallis tended to dictate strategy to his officers, while Washington listened to his officers and requested suggestions. It seems that Washington's style was successful in building consensus while still resulting in great respect from the soldiers.Besides George Washington, there were many other American officers whose roles were important. Three that stood out were:* Colonel John Cadwalader (1742 - 1786) was commander of all of the Philadelphia Associators (militia), who was to cross the Delaware several miles south of Trenton, but was unable to get his artillery across because of the heavy ice. He did, however, play a significant role in the second battle of Trenton and the battle of Princeton.* Colonel John Trumbull (1756 - 1843) was 20 years old in 1776 and fought at Trenton and Princeton and, after the war, did wonderful paintings of Washington and the New Jersey battles.* Captain Charles Willson Peale (1741 - 1827) commanded a company of Philadelphia Associators in the second battle of Trenton and the battle of Princeton and, also after the war did wonderful paintings of Washington and the New Jersey battles.Mr. Fischer concludes his book with some excellent appendices, including a wonderful Historiography that discusses the literature, paintings and sculpture that have been inspired by the events in the book. Of course, the paintings of Trumbull and Peale are an important part of the Historiography.The only issue that I have with Mr. Fischer is his statement on page 367, “Americans … were deeply suspicious of power and hated to pay taxes, a major weakness in the War of Independence. Then, as now, sleazy politicians pandered to that prejudice.” Americans were motivated to fight for independence because they had seen power and taxes misused. That motivation helped soldiers and others overcome substantial hardships to be successful in their revolution. And, after the war, their experience with misused power and taxes gave them a vision to set up a revolutionary government with limited powers and a system of checks and balances. So, even though Mr. Fischer criticizes this “prejudice,” some prejudices – such as a prejudice against injustice, a prejudice against tyranny, and a prejudice against irresponsible government – are admirable qualities.

History books on the American Revolution do not get better than this. In Washington's Crossing Fischer discloses the true difference between what Washington and his men fought for and what we now say they fought for. Things have changed dramatically since our Revolution, and what people make of it now isn't accurate. Washington's Crossing attempts to adjust our viewpoint of Washington and his army.Fischer is also able to convey the pickle the British found themselves in. Their viewpoints and ideology are critical to understanding how the Revolution came about and why the Americans won.Excellent in every way. Easy to read, comprehensive in scope, excellent in research. The maps are valuable as well. Very highly recommended.AD2

As a British national, I’m proud of the empire and her achievements. I was torn between cheering for the British forces and admiring the rebels in this first American civil war. The author does an excellent job in explaining both sides in an equitable manner. I now need to find another book that continues the story ....... even if the good guys lost ;-)

The Revolutionary War began in 1775 and ended in 1783, but in this Pulitzer Prize winning 2004 history, author David Hackett Fischer makes a very compelling case as to why the winter of 1776-77 was probably the most crucial period of the war, a time when boldness, courage and wise leadership turned the tide for the revolutionaries from almost certain defeat to ultimate victory. In the course of doing so, Fischer guides the reader through this period in such a manner as to make one feel as if he or she is present with the armies, experiencing what they experienced. Readers will come away with a better understanding of what it must have felt like for the rank and file soldiers during that bitter winter campaign. Fischer has a tremendous gift for making the reader feel as if he or she is experiencing history, rather than simply reading about it.In 1776, following the Declaration of Independence, three armies converged in New York: the British, the Hessians and the Continental Army. In the first part of the book, Fischer introduces us to all of them. We learn who they are, from privates to generals, where they come from, who their leaders are and how well trained and equipped they are. All have different styles of fighting, strategizing and understanding of the rules of war. When they meet in New York and the Continentals are driven out, it appears a foregone conclusion that the insurrection will be short-lived and that the stronger, professional armies from Europe will prevail. As the Continentals retreat into New Jersey and Pennsylvania, all appears lost for them, with declines prevalent in morale, recruitment and confidence in their leadership.A series of bold moves on the part of the Continentals bring about a reversal of their fortunes, with a bold attack on the Hessians at Trenton, New Jersey under formidable logistical conditions. Fischer tells the story of the first and second Battles of Trenton, the Battle of Princeton and the "Forage War", all of which ultimately undermine the confidence of the Europeans and embolden the Americans.Fischer writes on every aspect of this conflict, including the conditions which the soldiers endured, their clothing, weapons, food, supplies, marches, and morale. He also tells of such things as care of the wounded, the atrocities of war, soldiers endurance on little sleep in cold conditions with poor footwear, the role of loyalists, oaths of allegiance demanded by both sides, how civilians were affected, how armies moved and numerous other details. He does so in a manner that is interesting, and never tedious. It is as if the reader is present observing these events in real time.Most fascinating to me was the story of the leaders of both sides and the differing councils of war. The European meetings were very much a top down affair, offering little input from subordinates. Conversely, Fischer describes George Washington's practice of listening and learning, of getting input from all before deciding. A picture of Washington emerges as someone who had multiple strengths. He is what professional baseball analysts would call "a five tool player". Washington was a brilliant military tactician, a masterful politician, an inspirational motivator, personally courageous in battle and someone who was able to establish a personal connection with his soldiers. He made mistakes, as evidenced by his military losses in New York, but he was able to learn from those mistakes and grow personally and professionally.Fischer writes an excellent account of a critical period, covering a wide variety of aspects and subjects superbly. His analysis at the end of the book of this crucial period and of its importance not only at the time, but today as well, is brilliant. This is history written at its finest by an author possessed of great intellectual insight, coupled with a wonderful ability to communicate it to the reader.

Nein, die deutsche Garnison feierte nicht volltrunken Weihnachten als sie von Washingtons kleiner Armee überrascht wurden. Und der Übergang über den Delaware sah in der Wirklichkeit auch anders aus als auf dem berühmten Bild von Emmanuel Leutze. Der Doyen der amerikanischen Historiker, David Hackett Fischer, hat sich die ersten Siege von Washingtons Armee bei Trenton und Princeton als Thema genommen. Nicht dass dies wirklich bedeutende Schlachten des Unabhängigkeitskrieges gewesen sind, Saratoga wäre das, vielleicht sogar das Gefecht von Cowpens. Aber sie sind, wie der Reihentitel sagt "Pivotal Moments in American History". Sie sind psychologisch von ungeheurer Bedeutung und geben der zusammengewürfelten Armee und ihrem Oberkommandierenden Selbstvertrauen. Fischer hat alle Figuren dieses Dramas aus den Archiven geholt (der 200-seitige Appendix macht diese Leistung deutlich), von General Howe bis zum kleinen hessischen Soldaten, und hat sie zum Leben erweckt. Nicht nur das Militär, auch die Zivilbevölkerung wird vor unseren Augen wieder lebendig. Es gelingt dem Autor, uns das Geschehen so plastisch zu vermitteln, dass wir als Leser das Gefühl bekommen, an der Jahreswende 1776 zu 1777 hier dabeigewesen zu sein. Aber so exzellent das Buch ist, es fehlt ihm das letzte Flair. Barbara Tuchmann schreibt in "The First Salute" aufregender (obgleich ihre Leistung als Historikerin da nicht so groß ist) und auch Christopher Hibbert ist spannender. Das liegt wahrscheinlich daran, dass Fischer kein Militärhistoriker ist. In diesem Fall hätte es ihm nicht geschadet, wenn er etwas weniger in Archiven gewühlt hätte und etwas mehr vom englischen Meister der "military history", John Keegan, gelernt hätte. Und manchmal sind auch bedeutende Historiker betriebsblind. Wenn Fischer von einem Studenten namens Seume in hessischen Diensten berichtet, dann hat man nicht das Gefühl, dass er weiß, wer dieser J.G. Seume wirklich ist. Aber trotz dieser Mäkeleien bleibt es ein 5 Sterne Buch. Und wenn der Leser vielleicht den ganzen wissenschaftlichen Apparat nicht lesen mag, die Teile über das Ereignis in der bildenden Kunst sollte er unbedingt lesen.

Great reading for a great price.

Excellent read. Worth picking up if this time in history is of interest.

This is not an easy read. There is an awful lot of information. It is more for the American/Washington history buff than the casual reader.