Book Description
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.
Customer Reviews:
Where is a ghost writer when you need one?.......2007-08-21
I believe it was easier to cross the Delaware in winter than to get through this book. I just read 1776 by David McCullough, loved it, and was interested in reading more. Fischer is one of the dullest writers I've read. It is painfully obvious that being a successful academic and a successful writer are not necessarily connected.
Top-Notch history from a Top-Notch historian.......2007-06-24
This is probably about as well organized and detailed as any book on a single historical event can get. That it does so without loosing pace or drying out is commendable. While the title may lead one to believe that this book is only about the famous "midnight" crossing, the actual event serves as the centerpiece for the story with the painting by Emanuel Leutze as its starting point. In fact, "Washington's Crossing" deals as much with the events leading up to and afterwards as it does the actual crossing. It is also about more then just the famous crossing with which we are all familiar. Several other Delaware River crossings are detailed including the initial retreat from the ensuing British, the return from the battle of Trenton, and the advance back into New Jersey shortly thereafter. The book is also a detailed biography of George Washington's years just before and into the fist several months of the American Revolution. Appropriately enough this book is also, at times, about the Delaware River itself.
Davis Hackett Fischer deserves five stars on his writing style alone. This book flows like a well written story, which is appropriate in that history is human drama. The book starts with a description and history of the famous painting of Washington crossing the Delaware and then discusses the recent arguments over the painting's accuracy. It seems to have become the fashion lately to debunk this painting over various, some rather trivial details, such as time of day, type of boats used, and even how chunks of ice depicted in the painting, Fischer staunchly defends the painting based on what and who it represents, and most importantly the spirit that is represented. One appreciates Fisher's references throughout this book that American history is not something that needs an apology.
The first three chapters provide a thorough background on all of the major players, the American rebels, the British regulars, and the Hessian mercenaries. Fischer maintains a sense of objectivity in his accounts. Although the acts of rape, pillage, and violence towards the colonies are not ignored, The British and the Hessians are not merely described as the villains of the story just as the Colonials are not by default "good guys." This book is sympathetic to the American cause, but that does not prevent it from describing the people and nations as what they were. One example is General Cornwallis, who is frequently described the pompous and arrogant buffoon who lost the colonies. Fischer however devotes a fair amount of time to Cornwallis's standing in the British military and career as a whole. The depiction is that of an accomplished military career by all standards and that of a person with his own mind who was well respected by all ranks.
The rest of the book can be divided into three sections starting with the seemingly endless series of disasters that the continental army incurred after the British regulars arrived, including the fall of New York, the execution of Nathan Hale, and the loss of Fort Washington, probably the lowest point for George Washington during the entire revolution. The second, as the book's chronology makes its way towards November and December of 1776, deals with the places and events leading up to and including the Battle of Trenton. There is some good history in this section, particularly the river raiding parties out of Pennsylvania that routinely harassed the British encampments along the Delaware River's banks in New Jersey and numerous contributions they made to the attack on Trenton. This section also details Alexander Hamilton's artillery division, one of the few bright spots for Washington's young army. The final section deals with events following the Battle of Trenton, including post celebration war cabinets trying to decide what to do next, the subsequent trip back across the Delaware, and the Battle of Princeton. Again, there are some great gems of history to be found here. Most notably is Fischer's detailing of the lesser known, but probably more important events unofficially known as the Second Battle of Trenton in which Washington's forces held their ground at Assunpink Creek and turned back Cornwallis's larger and superior forces.
Fischer closes the book with a refreshing and necessary summary and conclusion. While the main body of the book completes in fewer than 400 pages, they are dense with information, which leave one feeling that they have actually completed a much longer book. Additionally, there are numerous appendices detailing all sorts of interesting facts and statistics and a section devoted to the Historiography of Washington's Crossing. This is a formidable book, but it is also a top-notch one that should delight fans of History, the American Revolution, and certainly of George Washington. Newcomers to history should probably work their way through a couple of easier books before tacking this one, but they should still consider putting this one on their shelves for future reading.
What can I say that hasn't been said.......2007-06-03
As an avid early American Historian, I place this book in my top three. This is must reading. The facts are told as they were, through the primary characters and you are there during the end of the mini ice age crossing the Delaware. Like MJ's last shot against Utah, if it didn't really happen, we would all just chalk it up to a Hollywood fairytale.
I read McCullough's 1776 after this and there is no comparison.
This book is so vivid and palpable that I felt obligated to go follow the trail of those early warriors. Amazing!
My other two favorites are Chernow's Hamilton and Gotham.
Excellent work .......2007-05-30
Fischer's Washington's Crossing is detailed account of the New Jersey campaign of 1776-1777, specifically focusing on the battles of Trenton and Princetion. Fischer does a great job of showing the differences between the leadership of Washington and Cornwallis and the effects that the battles of Trenton and Princeton had on the soldiers from both sides. While the book does get bogged down in too much detail in some points and not enough in others, this is a great book.
Excellent.......2007-03-20
This is a wonderful book. Now I want to read all of Mr. Fischer's work.
Book Description
In traditional scholarship, Native Americans have been conspicuously absent from urban history. Indians appear at the time of contact, are involved in fighting or treaties, and then seem to vanish, usually onto reservations. In Native Seattle, Coll Thrush explodes the commonly accepted notion that Indians and cities-and thus Indian and urban histories-are mutually exclusive, that Indians and cities cannot coexist, and that one must necessarily be eclipsed by the other. Native people and places played a vital part in the founding of Seattle and in what the city is today, just as urban changes transformed what it meant to be Native. On the urban indigenous frontier of the 1850s, 1860s, and 1870s, Indians were central to town life. Native Americans literally made Seattle possible through their labor and their participation, even as they were made scapegoats for urban disorder. As late as 1880, Seattle was still very much a Native place. Between the 1880s and the 1930s, however, Seattle's urban and Indian histories were transformed as the town turned into a metropolis. Massive changes in the urban environment dramatically affected indigenous people's abilities to survive in traditional places. The movement of Native people and their material culture to Seattle from all across the region inspired new identities both for the migrants and for the city itself. As boosters, historians, and pioneers tried to explain Seattle's historical trajectory, they told stories about Indians: as hostile enemies, as exotic Others, and as noble symbols of a vanished wilderness. But by the beginning of World War II, a new multitribal urban Native community had begun to take shape in Seattle, even as it was overshadowed by the city's appropriation of Indian images to understand and sell itself. After World War II, more changes in the city, combined with the agency of Native people, led to a new visibility and authority for Indians in Seattle. The descendants of Seattle's indigenous peoples capitalized on broader historical revisionism to claim new authority over urban places and narratives. At the beginning of the twenty-first century, Native people have returned to the center of civic life, not as contrived symbols of a whitewashed past but on their own terms. In Seattle, the strands of urban and Indian history have always been intertwined. Including an atlas of indigenous Seattle created with linguist Nile Thompson, Native Seattle is a new kind of urban Indian history, a book with implications that reach far beyond the region.
Customer Reviews:
disapointing..........2007-06-24
Essentially another book about Puget Indians written by a college professor with no understanding or respect for tribal culture. The first thing that struck me was the lack of Native sources. Thrush mentions that he had a hard time finding Natives to interview for this book, esp Duwamish Tribal members. Perhaps then he should have held off writing the book until he developed relationships with his subjects?
The writing was also terrible. His thesis is mentioned literally almost very other paragraph; take this out and there is probably only 3 or 4 pages of "history".
I also found that using the translated version of Indian place names, sometimes without explaining the Native name or etymology, was extremely disrespectful to Native-Americans.
In the foreword Thrush compared the problems he's faced because of his sexual orientation with the plight of Puget Indians. With statements like that, I can understand why few natives would work with him for this book.
The only redeeming part of the book is the Section on the update of Waterman's native place names in Seattle, which wasn't written by Thrush.
To summarize, poorly written, no information or history, and extremely condescending and disrespectful to Puget Indians...
Must Read for PNW Historians.......2007-05-12
This is a great book. I met Dr. Thrush once when he was a tour leader for one of the Museum of History and Industry's tours of the Ballard Locks. His insights really come through in this book.
Native Americans in the beginnings and history of Seattle.......2007-05-02
With regard to the beginnings of the city of Seattle, the local Native Americans were not part of what was called the "Vanishing Race" of Native Americans from the westward growth of America. Native Americans played a large, vital, and conspicuous role in the founding and early growth of Seattle. Thrush, an assistant professor of history at the University of British Columbia, makes the point that the role of Native Americans regarding other cities is worth looking into as well. In Seattle, Native American men and women provided the large majority of the manual labor in such work as sawmills and fishing; and many started small businesses. By intermarriage, some Native Americans, particularly women, assumed prominent and influential positions in the community. The other side of the Native Americans' experience with Seattle is their being supplanted as more and more whites came to Seattle in the latter years of the 19th century. Subject to discrimination, racism, oppression, and demonization, the Native Americans lost their position in the city's economy and social structure. They were, for instance, labeled as "hostile," and said to be unable to adjust to urban life; the women were considered prostitutes. In recent years, the fundamental role of local Native Americans in Seattle's origins and the impression this had on the character of the city are being given their due. Numbers of Native Americans, showing an entrepreneurial spirit and media savvy equal to any big-city dweller, are finding places in today's Seattle. Thrush writes the full story of the changing social relationship of Native Americans to Seattle. Central to his perspective--noted in the "Foreword"--is the false, unsubstantiated dichotomy between "civilized" and "uncivilized" peoples. Following the text is an "Atlas of Indigenous Seattle" containing maps and Native American terms evidencing the prevalence of the Native Americans through the Puget Sound area, how much they had developed this area already through use of its resources, and the place of the Native American culture in the origins and development of Seattle.
Book Description
To some of us, the American Revolution might be little more than a dusty old piece of American history. But what would our lives -- our country and world -- be like if the American Revolution had ended practically before it had even begun?
The Revolution did seem nearly over in the harsh winter of 1776. The Continental Army, led by General George Washington, had suffered many defeats and had made many retreats. Now the soldiers found themselves encamped on the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware River, across from three Hessian regiments occupying the town of Trenton, New Jersey. Tired, cold, ill-clothed, and ill-equipped to fight, most of them were ready to go home when their enlistments were up. Only decisive action could possibly win General Washington a battle -- and save the Revolution.
A variety of voices in a variety of forms -- a present-day narrator, the letters of a fictional soldier, and true accounts from the time -- are brought together with period images and Walter Lyon Krudop's dramatic art to make vivid the critical moments of Washington's crossing of the Delaware. Readers cannot help but come away with a new appreciation of what the Battle of Trenton means for us today.
Customer Reviews:
Great book for children & adults!.......2004-12-20
This beautifully illustrated book is a great history teacher. I highly recommend it to everyone.
Excellent reader appeal- Beautifully written and illustrated.......1998-10-03
Louise Peacock's first book is a tribute to her excellent work as a historian. Although written for children 9-12, it is a book that that will appeal to all ages. She has a rare talent for writing a simple story that evokes the reader to find depth and insight. Her unique approach of blending three story lines allows the reader to experience the Battle of Trenton from a wide range of perspectives. Truly a work of art, this book comes highly recommended.
Average customer rating:
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Washington Crossing the Delaware: History - Hands On (History - Hands on!)
Mary Tucker
Manufacturer: Teaching & Learning Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Colonial & Revolutionary
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ASIN: 1573103527 |
Book Description
This exciting new series is designed not only to bring history to life for your students, these activities actually bring history into your classroom!
Washington Crossing the Delaware—it's one of the most famous paintings of the Revolutionary War. But is it accurate? Do your students understand what was happening in the picture? Do they have any inkling of the pain and effort and courage involved in that event? Through a variety of creative activities in this book, students will discover the truths behind the picture—not only what happened that night, but what led up to it and what happened as a result of it.
Poetry, discussion, role play, games and other activities will bring the Revolutionary War into your classroom! Students will learn that war causes pain and hardship for everyone, even those at home. They'll put themselves in the place of the soldier—hungry, cold, lonely, underpaid and afraid. They'll discover the horrors of medical treatment in the 1700s and learn about the weapons of war.
Understanding the sacrifices made by Revolutionary War soldiers such as those who crossed the Delaware with Washington will make students more appreciative of those in the armed forces today who are keeping America free.
Average customer rating:
- You will never get this song out of your head
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Row, Row, Row the Boats: A Fun Song About George Washington Crossing the Delaware (Fun Songs)
Michael Dahl
Manufacturer: Picture Window Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Library Binding
General
| Music
| Arts & Music
| Children's Books
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Colonial & Revolutionary
| United States
| History & Historical Fiction
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| Ages 4-8
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ASIN: 1404801286 |
Customer Reviews:
You will never get this song out of your head.......2006-04-29
This whole series of fun songs about American History by Michael Dahl are great! My 3 year old daughter loves them as much as my 5 year old son. Since they love to sing, they learn the words very quickly and sing them OFTEN. But, it is very rewarding when we are reading another book about Washington crossing the Delaware and my son remembers that it was Christmas and that they were fighting the British!
Book Description
A concise look at the American Revolution in 1776, the year George Washington and his army experienced numerous defeats, forcing them to retreat from New Jersey to Pennsylvania by December. The demoralized troops lacked food and clothing, and Washington realized a victory was needed to keep the revolution alive. On the morning of December 26, he led his troops across the icy Delaware River, from the site of the historic park, and attacked the unsuspecting Hessians at Trenton. The victory aroused a new spirit in the army and changed the course of the war.
Average customer rating:
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Crossing Borders: From Revolutionary Russia to China to America
Helen Yakobson
Manufacturer: Hermitage
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
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United States
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ASIN: 155779071X |
Average customer rating:
- A brisk account of sailing and the spice trades
- A very readable history
- Great historical book
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Longest Voyage: Circumnavigators In Age Of Discovery
Robert Silverberg
Manufacturer: Ohio University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
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The Circumnavigators: A History
ASIN: 0821411926 |
Customer Reviews:
A brisk account of sailing and the spice trades.......1999-05-14
If someone is looking for a great read, Silverberg had done a terrific job in documenting the voyages of the great sailors and the building of the spice trades through the hands of the Portugese, Spanish, Dutch and English. Make no doubt, they all acted like pirates, except the Dutch had a better of sense of business and thus won out in the end. I highly recommend reading this book.
A very readable history.......1998-04-24
A briskly-paced narrative of the first circumnavigations, including accounts of Spanish, English and Dutch expeditions, to exploit the Americas and, especially, the Far East. A real page-turner(!)
Great historical book.......1997-11-20
If you like history, the age of enlightenment, and sailing you'll probably like this book. It has a very good account of Magellans expedition (it's the only through one I've read). I wish there were more books like this
Average customer rating:
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Innovation Management In The ICT Sector: How Frontrunners Stay Ahead
Edward I. Huizenga
Manufacturer: Edward Elgar Pub
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
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Management
| Management & Leadership
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Systems & Planning
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Manager's Guides to Computing
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ASIN: 1845422244 |
Book Description
Edward Huizenga explores how knowledge and service intensive companies can thrive on innovation and entrepreneurship in the ICT sector. He applies new theoretical insights from strategy and organization theory, and includes case studies of 30 European service companies. These case studies address the key innovation issues and present answers as to why a constant search for innovation improves firms' competitive position. The key success factors are identified together with those differences that define the frontrunners who are able to turn new ideas into profit. With its mix of academic insights, managerial practices and implementations, this book benchmarks company performance in innovation and develops new theoretical strategy insights including: resource-based ideas; firm's innovation styles; strategic timing; the customer's involvement and the management implications. Innovation Management in the ICT Sector, now available in paperback, is aimed at, and will be of value to, a readership of academics in the area of strategic management, organization and innovation, policymakers involved in innovation and economic growth at all levels of government as well as managers in the ICT sector.
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Public Purpose or Private Benefit?: The Politics of Energy Conservation (Issues in Environmental Politics)
Gill Owen
Manufacturer: Manchester University Press
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Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0719050251 |
Book Description
This digital document is an article from The Geographical Journal, published by Royal Geographical Society on September 1, 2000. The length of the article is 1004 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: Public Purpose or Private Benefit? The Politics of Energy Conservation.(Review)
Author: Phil O'keefe
Publication:
The Geographical Journal (Refereed)
Date: September 1, 2000
Publisher: Royal Geographical Society
Volume: 166
Issue: 3
Page: 274
Article Type: Book Review
Distributed by Thomson Gale
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