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The Perils of Peace: America's Struggle for Survival After Yorktown
On October 19, 1781, Great Britain's best army surrendered to General George Washington at Yorktown. But the future of the 13 former colonies was far from clear. A 13,000 man British army still occupied New York City, and another 13,000 regulars and armed loyalists were scattered from Canada to Savannah, Georgia. Meanwhile, Congress had declined to a mere 24 members, and the national treasury was empty. The American army had not been paid for years and was on the brink of mutiny.
In Europe, America's only ally, France, teetered on the verge of bankruptcy and was soon reeling from a disastrous naval defeat in the Caribbean. A stubborn George III dismissed Yorktown as a minor defeat and refused to yield an acre of "my dominions" in America. In Paris, Ambassador Benjamin Franklin confronted violent hostility to France among his fellow members of the American peace delegation.
In his riveting new book, Thomas Fleming moves elegantly between the key players in this drama and shows that the outcome we take for granted was far from certain. Not without anguish, General Washington resisted the urgings of many officers to seize power and held the angry army together until peace and independence arrived. With fresh research and masterful storytelling, Fleming breathes new life into this tumultuous but little known period in America's history.
In Europe, America's only ally, France, teetered on the verge of bankruptcy and was soon reeling from a disastrous naval defeat in the Caribbean. A stubborn George III dismissed Yorktown as a minor defeat and refused to yield an acre of "my dominions" in America. In Paris, Ambassador Benjamin Franklin confronted violent hostility to France among his fellow members of the American peace delegation.
In his riveting new book, Thomas Fleming moves elegantly between the key players in this drama and shows that the outcome we take for granted was far from certain. Not without anguish, General Washington resisted the urgings of many officers to seize power and held the angry army together until peace and independence arrived. With fresh research and masterful storytelling, Fleming breathes new life into this tumultuous but little known period in America's history.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published October 9, 2007
128 people are currently reading
752 people want to read
About the author
Thomas Fleming
127 books148 followersLibrarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
Thomas James Fleming was an historian and historical novelist, with a special interest in the American Revolution. He was born in 1927 in Jersey City, New Jersey, the son of a World War I hero who was a leader in Jersey City politics for three decades. Before her marriage, his mother, Katherine Dolan Fleming, was a teacher in the Jersey City Public School System.
After graduating from St. Peter's Preparatory School in Jersey City, Fleming spent a year in the United States Navy. He received a Bachelor's degree, with honors, from Fordham University in 1950. After brief stints as a newspaperman and magazine editor, he became a full-time writer in 1960. His first history book, Now We Are Enemies, an account of the Battle of Bunker Hill, was published that same year. It was a best-seller, reviewed in more than 75 newspapers and featured as a main selection of the Literary Guild.
Fleming published books about various events and figures of the Revolutionary era. He also wrote about other periods of American history and wrote over a dozen well-received novels set against various historical backgrounds. He said, "I never wanted to be an Irish American writer, my whole idea was to get across that bridge and be an American writer".
Fleming died at his home in New York City on July 23, 2017, at the age of 90.
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
Thomas James Fleming was an historian and historical novelist, with a special interest in the American Revolution. He was born in 1927 in Jersey City, New Jersey, the son of a World War I hero who was a leader in Jersey City politics for three decades. Before her marriage, his mother, Katherine Dolan Fleming, was a teacher in the Jersey City Public School System.
After graduating from St. Peter's Preparatory School in Jersey City, Fleming spent a year in the United States Navy. He received a Bachelor's degree, with honors, from Fordham University in 1950. After brief stints as a newspaperman and magazine editor, he became a full-time writer in 1960. His first history book, Now We Are Enemies, an account of the Battle of Bunker Hill, was published that same year. It was a best-seller, reviewed in more than 75 newspapers and featured as a main selection of the Literary Guild.
Fleming published books about various events and figures of the Revolutionary era. He also wrote about other periods of American history and wrote over a dozen well-received novels set against various historical backgrounds. He said, "I never wanted to be an Irish American writer, my whole idea was to get across that bridge and be an American writer".
Fleming died at his home in New York City on July 23, 2017, at the age of 90.
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May 20, 2024
The late but unforgotten Thomas Fleming has provided us with a unique look at the final years and aftermath of the American Revolution—an epilogue so to speak—but one that could have played out remarkably negative for the American Cause as he goes on to prove. Full of mishaps by politicians, poor cases in judgment and protocol by leading diplomats of the time, and time sensitive negotiations and meetings that could have stalemated and prolonged British occupation in the newly formed United States. The Perils of Peace is outstanding in showing the twists and discussions that took place after Yorktown in 1781, to the eventual signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1783.
Focusing on the financial difficulties and political pandering and polarization that was beginning to overtake the young republic, Fleming does a fantastic job in explaining how pivotal certain events were in holding what would become the United States together before its early disruption. He follows Benjamin Franklin in the European theater using all of his wit, fame, experience, and prestige as a renowned diplomat to try to separately negotiate a peace with the British—meanwhile his counterparts are either blundering with foreign dignitaries or figuratively stabbing him in the back with their letters to various congressional members at home. The American army is in disarray as troops are not getting paid their due, with constant threats of mutiny and disbandment as they cope with a virtually bankrupt Congress. This also involves the plight of State governments whose constituents are in uproar of excessive Federal Taxes, and consequently paying for more than their state's fair “share”:
“Can we pay them punctually?” asked Arthur Middleton of South Carolina. The answer, of course, was almost certainly no. Middleton also feared it would be considered a sign of weakness that “we can not or will not fill up our armies with our own people.” If the idea was adopted, Middleton thought it should be attributed to (or blamed on) General Washington. Congress should have nothing to do with it. After two months of vacillation, the politicians forwarded the proposal to the superintendent of finance and secretary of war, leaving the final decision to them. To no one’s surprise, they did nothing.
High Ranking military officials such as Washington were aware of the army’s discontent, and had to constantly be aware of the continuing presence of Great Britain’s might on American land and waters—with an alleged hunger to continue the war until finally Lord North and his administration’s eventual downfall. This all is put into perspective from both sides of the Atlantic, with Britain and France’s foreign ministers feeling the frustrations and neglect from their own politicians at home. Fleming goes to great lengths in describing each European nation's crisis, including such engagements as Gibraltar, and the depletion of funds and resources from their respective contributions to the Revolutionary War effort. Fleming has written a fabulous history that’s indeed true to its title, leaving the reader fulfilled and aware of the difficulties that span far beyond the physical side of the war effort. Over thirty different illustrations are provided, each with a short but descriptive accompanying summary.
Focusing on the financial difficulties and political pandering and polarization that was beginning to overtake the young republic, Fleming does a fantastic job in explaining how pivotal certain events were in holding what would become the United States together before its early disruption. He follows Benjamin Franklin in the European theater using all of his wit, fame, experience, and prestige as a renowned diplomat to try to separately negotiate a peace with the British—meanwhile his counterparts are either blundering with foreign dignitaries or figuratively stabbing him in the back with their letters to various congressional members at home. The American army is in disarray as troops are not getting paid their due, with constant threats of mutiny and disbandment as they cope with a virtually bankrupt Congress. This also involves the plight of State governments whose constituents are in uproar of excessive Federal Taxes, and consequently paying for more than their state's fair “share”:
“Can we pay them punctually?” asked Arthur Middleton of South Carolina. The answer, of course, was almost certainly no. Middleton also feared it would be considered a sign of weakness that “we can not or will not fill up our armies with our own people.” If the idea was adopted, Middleton thought it should be attributed to (or blamed on) General Washington. Congress should have nothing to do with it. After two months of vacillation, the politicians forwarded the proposal to the superintendent of finance and secretary of war, leaving the final decision to them. To no one’s surprise, they did nothing.
High Ranking military officials such as Washington were aware of the army’s discontent, and had to constantly be aware of the continuing presence of Great Britain’s might on American land and waters—with an alleged hunger to continue the war until finally Lord North and his administration’s eventual downfall. This all is put into perspective from both sides of the Atlantic, with Britain and France’s foreign ministers feeling the frustrations and neglect from their own politicians at home. Fleming goes to great lengths in describing each European nation's crisis, including such engagements as Gibraltar, and the depletion of funds and resources from their respective contributions to the Revolutionary War effort. Fleming has written a fabulous history that’s indeed true to its title, leaving the reader fulfilled and aware of the difficulties that span far beyond the physical side of the war effort. Over thirty different illustrations are provided, each with a short but descriptive accompanying summary.
May 23, 2024
This is an incredible book and definitely a 5 star WOW book if there ever was one. Our Revolution and Creation history is a favorite area of reading for me and for a number of reasons. Of all those reasons the one that I consider the most important is that our Revolution offers teachers of history a platform to teach history in a manner that makes an impact on all students. I always loved history while my classmates usually hated it. They hated it because it was all names, places, and dates that had to be memorized for the test. History lacked relevance to them because they could not identify with the people or events they were required to study. Sadly, history had never been reduced to a real world level so that students could appreciate the lessons that were there to be learned. The American Revolution as it has been written about in recent decades has removed much of the heroic veneer from most of our Founders and revealed that they were flesh and blood humans with all the virtues and vices of real people. Any of us that has ever worked on a committee of any sort, been involved in a work project, a community group, a political movement etc. will find the same personalities we dealt with were also to be found in the ranks of our Founders and they had to deal with them just like we had to do in our real world experiences. Names, places, and dates have their purpose and need to be learned but if the lessons about human personalities and behavior are ignored then the history is useless. What does all of this have to do with this book? Quite a bit actually.
While the Revolution is a favorite area of history for me it is not one that I read a great deal about anymore. The reason for that is that the area has been done to death and it is almost impossible to find anything new. The vast majority of these histories usually start with Lexington and Concord. Some may begin a bit earlier with the Stamp Act and the Intolerable Acts and maybe even the Boston Massacre but not much more. From there it's on to Bunker Hill and the real fighting then begins. They generally end with Yorktown and the announcement of the Treaty of Paris in 1783. Consequently, almost all Americans think the Revolution ended with Cornwallis' surrender at Yorktown. Nothing could have been further from the truth but until the last few years nobody dealt with this 2 year gap between Yorktown in 1781 and the Treaty of Paris in 1783. What happened in this gap? Was there a truce because no major military engagements occurred during this period? Some recent publications have revealed that this was probably the most horrific period for the average non-combatant. During this gap small groups of loyalists and patriots throughout the states staked out their territories and set about persecuting the minority parties in their turf. It was akin to open gang warfare totally outside the control or influence of the respective military commanders. Revenge and score settling were the rule of the day and people's loyalty shifted with the change of local power. It was chaos and anarchy and unrestrained violence. That was all true but this book gives us that and a great deal more and, to me, renders the previous 6 years of fighting as much ado about very little.
It has been widely reported that our independence was a miracle and the ordeals Washington was able to surmount were astounding and they were but this book details that the crisis was far greater than what the military had to deal with. The author reveals that after Yorktown the Revolution could have been lost entirely without the British needing to do anything but sit and wait and watch the American cause collapse from apathy, arrogance, and selfishness. The author details in the most minute detail all the jealousy, backstabbing, and political maneuvering that went on with all three major players, the Americans, the British, and the French. Nobody trusted anybody, all were playing their own game for themselves and for their country. At the same time all three parties were foundering financially and the British and French were both involved not only with the American war but with conflicts in the Caribbean and India and were regretting their American involvement.
Fleming does reveal that while major military engagements did not occur there was still military activity in the Southern states of South Carolina and Georgia and that the significance of these minor actions was in no way trivial. After Yorktown the British thought to divide the states by opening peace negotiations with individual states and letting each state make their own deal and abandon the Union. The British also had hopes that if their divide and conquer approach failed then during negotiation they could hold onto those American territories that were still in their control which would have meant the major seaports of NYC, Wilmington, Charleston, and Savannah. The Americans were aware of this situation so wresting control of these areas from the British was critical. Unfortunately, Yorktown seemed to have sapped the American will to fight further. Of course the army hadn't been paid or materially supported by the Congress for years and that wasn't about to change since the Congress was bankrupt. The behavior of many of these "Americans"in and out of Congress is not to be believed and especially with so much at stake. The only thing that seemed to save the Americans from their own failings was that the British were having their own problems at home with parliamentary politics and the financing of a global war. Reading this book was like reading a contemporary fictional thriller. Had I not known there was a happy ending I would have been on the edge of seat during much of the reading. This is a book any American History buff must read. The Americans seemed truly desirous of snatching defeat from the mouth of victory and only dumb luck saved us all. Enjoy.
While the Revolution is a favorite area of history for me it is not one that I read a great deal about anymore. The reason for that is that the area has been done to death and it is almost impossible to find anything new. The vast majority of these histories usually start with Lexington and Concord. Some may begin a bit earlier with the Stamp Act and the Intolerable Acts and maybe even the Boston Massacre but not much more. From there it's on to Bunker Hill and the real fighting then begins. They generally end with Yorktown and the announcement of the Treaty of Paris in 1783. Consequently, almost all Americans think the Revolution ended with Cornwallis' surrender at Yorktown. Nothing could have been further from the truth but until the last few years nobody dealt with this 2 year gap between Yorktown in 1781 and the Treaty of Paris in 1783. What happened in this gap? Was there a truce because no major military engagements occurred during this period? Some recent publications have revealed that this was probably the most horrific period for the average non-combatant. During this gap small groups of loyalists and patriots throughout the states staked out their territories and set about persecuting the minority parties in their turf. It was akin to open gang warfare totally outside the control or influence of the respective military commanders. Revenge and score settling were the rule of the day and people's loyalty shifted with the change of local power. It was chaos and anarchy and unrestrained violence. That was all true but this book gives us that and a great deal more and, to me, renders the previous 6 years of fighting as much ado about very little.
It has been widely reported that our independence was a miracle and the ordeals Washington was able to surmount were astounding and they were but this book details that the crisis was far greater than what the military had to deal with. The author reveals that after Yorktown the Revolution could have been lost entirely without the British needing to do anything but sit and wait and watch the American cause collapse from apathy, arrogance, and selfishness. The author details in the most minute detail all the jealousy, backstabbing, and political maneuvering that went on with all three major players, the Americans, the British, and the French. Nobody trusted anybody, all were playing their own game for themselves and for their country. At the same time all three parties were foundering financially and the British and French were both involved not only with the American war but with conflicts in the Caribbean and India and were regretting their American involvement.
Fleming does reveal that while major military engagements did not occur there was still military activity in the Southern states of South Carolina and Georgia and that the significance of these minor actions was in no way trivial. After Yorktown the British thought to divide the states by opening peace negotiations with individual states and letting each state make their own deal and abandon the Union. The British also had hopes that if their divide and conquer approach failed then during negotiation they could hold onto those American territories that were still in their control which would have meant the major seaports of NYC, Wilmington, Charleston, and Savannah. The Americans were aware of this situation so wresting control of these areas from the British was critical. Unfortunately, Yorktown seemed to have sapped the American will to fight further. Of course the army hadn't been paid or materially supported by the Congress for years and that wasn't about to change since the Congress was bankrupt. The behavior of many of these "Americans"in and out of Congress is not to be believed and especially with so much at stake. The only thing that seemed to save the Americans from their own failings was that the British were having their own problems at home with parliamentary politics and the financing of a global war. Reading this book was like reading a contemporary fictional thriller. Had I not known there was a happy ending I would have been on the edge of seat during much of the reading. This is a book any American History buff must read. The Americans seemed truly desirous of snatching defeat from the mouth of victory and only dumb luck saved us all. Enjoy.
October 20, 2021
I have read much about the revolutionary war and the beginnings of our constitutional government. However, I knew very little of the two years between the Yorktown victory and the Peace Treaty of Paris. It was a much more perilous time in which the goals of the revolution were not assured. Fleming does a great job of describing the key players, the diplomacy and varied issues involved in the two years (1781-1783) leading to the final peace. Issues involving infighting in Parliament, the Continental Congress and the American diplomatic team. A very informative read.
I recommend a good follow up to this book. “The Quartet: orchestrating the second American revolution, 1783-1789.” By Joseph Ellis.
I recommend a good follow up to this book. “The Quartet: orchestrating the second American revolution, 1783-1789.” By Joseph Ellis.
March 4, 2009
This book purports to show how close we came to losing the Revolutionary War. It is in the time after the last major battle and before the signing of the peace treaty that the United States faced the most danger of return to the British Empire. Now nearly forgotten figures such as Arthur Lee and Ralph Izard worked hard to derail Benjamin Franklin’s efforts, not because they did not want a peace treaty but because of personal animosity. Other, better known figures, such as John Adams and John Jay were not diplomatic in their endeavors and came close to alienating the French court and others. The author does a convincing job of pointing out that true victory relies on the acts of tactful diplomats which are often made more difficult by the cowboy mentality of other men in power.
February 2, 2021
This is a detailed report of a super-important aspect of history: how peace is made. In particular this book deals with the peace negotiations that ended the Revolutionary war. It takes us from the victory at Yorktown, October 1781, to the peaceful end of hostilities and George Washington's return home, December 1783. The facts are presented beautifully, but as with too many histories, the why is almost completely absent. We hear about meetings and speeches, elections in England, secret meetings, loans and rejections; parties and propaganda: it's all very revealing and important, but there is no why given. No over-arching reason for events to come out as they do, and that is a serious flaw. Some people come off as heroes, others as villains or egotists; money is scarce all around. And, at the end, the US comes out winning, France heads to bankruptcy and revolution, and Britain does more than survive: it wins the other 4 wars it is fighting -- against France, Spain, Holland, and an Indian rebellion. But you don't know why. Why is Britain able to fight these wars and tax, while France can tax but not survive. The Dutch, who were world powers 50 years earlier, are nothings now; what happened? We note that the continental congress continually refuses to tax, while criticizing the army and all around; do the states tax for themselves or is it all a chaos. How does the congress retain loyalty when they don’t pay except in worthless paper.
Some Americans offer their own money, Robert Morris and Nathaniel Greene, in particular. They are vilified by John Adams. Franklin, long suffering, is vilified, and Washington too, but somehow everyone is OK with Adams as president 12 years later. It's an interesting read, and the character studies are worthwhile, but there is a gaping hole in it when it comes to why. I'd give this 3 stars except that there is no other alternative for anyone interested in the history of peace negotiations-- not for this US war or in any other war.
Some Americans offer their own money, Robert Morris and Nathaniel Greene, in particular. They are vilified by John Adams. Franklin, long suffering, is vilified, and Washington too, but somehow everyone is OK with Adams as president 12 years later. It's an interesting read, and the character studies are worthwhile, but there is a gaping hole in it when it comes to why. I'd give this 3 stars except that there is no other alternative for anyone interested in the history of peace negotiations-- not for this US war or in any other war.
October 3, 2025
Decent but the moralizing got really tedious. Not that interesting but some good anecdotes. Wouldn’t read again.
February 4, 2012
The Perils of Peace provides a comprehensive and fascinating look at the pivotal years after Yorktown on which the fate of the newly formed United States hung. While many assume the war simply ended after Yorktown it took another two years for the British to surrender and this time of "peace" nearly proved to be the undoing of the United States. From a demoralized American army that could not seek battle with the enemy to a broke United States treasury that could not buy basic supplies nor raise the requisite taxes to pay the interest on the debt the country stood paralyzed to fall. As states became mini-fiefdoms under various local governors and the army begin to foment revolts those that we call founding fathers stepped forward to master the chaos.
What this book does better than many that come before it, is to show what was happening on both sides of the oceans. The European theater was pivotal during these times especially the military action at Gibraltar. In addition to the military actions the author pays a lot of attention to domestic British affairs and international diplomacy. With the fall of the North ministry after Yorktown and the rise of the successive coalitions a greater emphasis for peace is made even with some glaringly dangerous concessions are offered (fortunately for the British those are not acted on).
This book is detailed, well researched and holds the readers interest. It reads as if it was a diplomatic thriller and times you just can't wait to see the next development. It is truly historical writing at its best and what you expect from Thomas Fleming. Overall a highly recommend read.
What this book does better than many that come before it, is to show what was happening on both sides of the oceans. The European theater was pivotal during these times especially the military action at Gibraltar. In addition to the military actions the author pays a lot of attention to domestic British affairs and international diplomacy. With the fall of the North ministry after Yorktown and the rise of the successive coalitions a greater emphasis for peace is made even with some glaringly dangerous concessions are offered (fortunately for the British those are not acted on).
This book is detailed, well researched and holds the readers interest. It reads as if it was a diplomatic thriller and times you just can't wait to see the next development. It is truly historical writing at its best and what you expect from Thomas Fleming. Overall a highly recommend read.
September 15, 2013
I was expecting a book concerning the history of the United States between the end of the Revolutionary War in 1783 to or through the Constitutional Convention of 1787, the Articles of Confederation years. Rather it covered the years from the victory at Yorktown in 1781 until the Treaty of Paris was signed in 1783. Many people expected Yorktown to be the end of the war; instead, there were two more years of fighting which don't show up in our history books. The troops were unpaid and not supplied. The Continental Congress consisted of second or third rate people, not the heroes of 1776. The national government was bankrupt, unable to get the states to pay any taxes, and forced to beg bigger and bigger loans from Europe. American "diplomats" were sent to France to "assist" the peace process, and made it difficult for the only Europe-knowledgeable delegate, Benjamin Franklin, to get anything accomplished. The only thing that saved the United States was that the English government, after six years of war, was itself in total disarray. The author has done a very good job weaving together the pieces of the story into an interesting narrative.
September 18, 2008
This was a rather dry book. It's attempt is to explain the difficult period between the British surrender at Yorktown and the establishment of the Articles of Confederation (the first version of the United States Constitution).
This was difficult read and I would recommend other books on the topic. Instead of focusing on one or two major characters or theaters, it attempts to cover them all. The result is just as you are getting into a certain segment, you are then dragged over to another area where the action is. It is very informative as to emphasize how far away peace really was after Yorktown (a peace treaty wasn't sign until two years later), but it was just hard to get through. The parts I enjoyed most were about George Washington and his critical role in achieving victory, peace, and democracy, but I can get a better version in a different book.
This was difficult read and I would recommend other books on the topic. Instead of focusing on one or two major characters or theaters, it attempts to cover them all. The result is just as you are getting into a certain segment, you are then dragged over to another area where the action is. It is very informative as to emphasize how far away peace really was after Yorktown (a peace treaty wasn't sign until two years later), but it was just hard to get through. The parts I enjoyed most were about George Washington and his critical role in achieving victory, peace, and democracy, but I can get a better version in a different book.
September 22, 2024
Excellent Overview of the War, Post-Yorktown
I have just begun my foray into learning about the American Revolutionary War and this seemed like a good primer on the latter part of it. I was not disappointed.
The author did his research and thus produced a book that was filled with excellent info that was written in a way that held my interest and provided new and surprising insights.
I want to note that this period of time had a lot of moving parts, much more than I could have imagined when I started this book, so keeping up with all the various people and their roles was a challenge and thus caused me to read more slowly to digest it all. Not a problem in order to absorb as much of this info as possible.
I also had to pause often because some of what I was reading was disconcerting. This is mainly because my view of this period up to reading this book was through rose colored glasses of heroes and triumphs and not the meat and potatoes of political intrigues and betrayals that played out behind the scenes. I found myself shaking my head a lot in disbelief and dismay. I am sure much of the heroics were displayed more in the pre and early years of the war and this period was more about the political machinations of state and federal government officials politicking and how Britain was coming to terms with giving peace treaties to America and France. It says much about the writing when strong emotions can be evoked by the way the author writes.
I am very glad I read this book and grateful to an author that revealed to me how astonishing it is that our country came to exist at all. I look forward to reading more from this author.
I have just begun my foray into learning about the American Revolutionary War and this seemed like a good primer on the latter part of it. I was not disappointed.
The author did his research and thus produced a book that was filled with excellent info that was written in a way that held my interest and provided new and surprising insights.
I want to note that this period of time had a lot of moving parts, much more than I could have imagined when I started this book, so keeping up with all the various people and their roles was a challenge and thus caused me to read more slowly to digest it all. Not a problem in order to absorb as much of this info as possible.
I also had to pause often because some of what I was reading was disconcerting. This is mainly because my view of this period up to reading this book was through rose colored glasses of heroes and triumphs and not the meat and potatoes of political intrigues and betrayals that played out behind the scenes. I found myself shaking my head a lot in disbelief and dismay. I am sure much of the heroics were displayed more in the pre and early years of the war and this period was more about the political machinations of state and federal government officials politicking and how Britain was coming to terms with giving peace treaties to America and France. It says much about the writing when strong emotions can be evoked by the way the author writes.
I am very glad I read this book and grateful to an author that revealed to me how astonishing it is that our country came to exist at all. I look forward to reading more from this author.
July 7, 2023
This book was super easy to read and Fleming's research is extensive. There is so much that I did not about the peace negotiations. I knew that America was bankrupt and that the Continental Congress was powerless to compel the states under the old Articles of Confederation. I did not know the British perspective or how short-sighted other American leaders such as Arthur Lee was. I knew that Adams, Jay, and Franklin did not get along - after all, what do you expect if you have a whole bunch of alpha males in the same room?
I read The Man Who Would Be King, a historical fiction book about how Washington defused the Newburgh conspiracy and how the Continental Army could have marched on Philadelphia. In place of a monarchy, there was a huge risk of a military junta taking over. Fleming ends the book with Washington's retirement from the Army and turning command back to the Continental Congress. Washington could have taken over; he was popular enough with large parts of the army and the populace. Instead, he stepped down.
That garnered a lot of respect, even from his enemies and former enemies. Thus, America also blazed the way of the civilian control of the military in name and deed.
Where I was disappointed with this book was the fact that Fleming did not talk about the period of rule of the Articles of Confederation. That was also part of the perils of peace. The Confederation was weak, divided, but they did a few things right - organizing the Northwest Territory and the Southwest Territory. That's another book.
I read The Man Who Would Be King, a historical fiction book about how Washington defused the Newburgh conspiracy and how the Continental Army could have marched on Philadelphia. In place of a monarchy, there was a huge risk of a military junta taking over. Fleming ends the book with Washington's retirement from the Army and turning command back to the Continental Congress. Washington could have taken over; he was popular enough with large parts of the army and the populace. Instead, he stepped down.
That garnered a lot of respect, even from his enemies and former enemies. Thus, America also blazed the way of the civilian control of the military in name and deed.
Where I was disappointed with this book was the fact that Fleming did not talk about the period of rule of the Articles of Confederation. That was also part of the perils of peace. The Confederation was weak, divided, but they did a few things right - organizing the Northwest Territory and the Southwest Territory. That's another book.
July 9, 2020
Although a bit hard to read at times, an excellent recounting of how difficult it was for the nascent United States to unite, get Congress to do anything useful (such as deciding where to meet, and raising sufficient funds (never accomplished during the telling) to pay the Army for its services. Trying times are an almost constant in history. There were some interesting insights offered in the disdain among various founders. John Adams disdained, for example, pretty much everyone. Benjamin Franklin was a brilliant diplomat, understanding well that in a position of weakness, you must meet people where they are, not where you wish them to be. Also, of note, France offered great support and loaned the US large sums (to aid us in their fight with England), which led to its subsequent insolvency, which helped lead to the French Revolution. Spain, although a lesser supporter, lost much in the war. George Washington greatly impressed the world when he hung up his uniform after 8 years of war, and returned to Mt Vernon.
If you think you know everything about the revolutionary war, this book may still teach you something new. Well, worth the read.
If you think you know everything about the revolutionary war, this book may still teach you something new. Well, worth the read.
March 31, 2019
The story of a period usually skipped over in the history books is here told as a thrilling political pageturner. Rather than a smooth progress from Yorktown to the Treaty of Paris, the American patriots faced bankruptcy, diplomatic intrigue and incipient mutiny. Franklin's eagerness to negotiate a separate peace was unseemly, the states refused to raise money for Congress to pay its debts, the Continental Army was dismissed unpaid except with paper, and Congress was forced by angry soldiers to flee to Princeton. Although the new nation held together for the time being, the book shows that the divisions between Federalists and Republicans were sown even before the end of the war: between a continentally minded faction in favor of federal finance and power, and a states' rights "True Whig" faction that feared the former were aiming at raising a new, grasping national elite. The common soldiery were unimpressed with the new political class their exertions had raised up, and the independent USA embarked on its internationally recognized career in a spirit of suspicion and dissension.
June 3, 2017
An excellent book outlining the early history of America. The financial struggle and political differences of the founders are laid out against the continued hostility of the British after Yorktown. The author also lays out how the American Independence fueled reform in France, Britain, and Ireland; by example, the embarrassment of royalty, and the financial strain put on the countries to hold onto other territories while waging war to support or fight the colonies Independence. You'll even learn a little about how much more the American people fought the government on Federal Taxation. (Every State had to agree to a tax before it could be instituted.) Perhaps, most importantly, it shows just how important Washington giving up the Presidency was to uniting a nation and gaining the respect of the European Empires.
November 25, 2023
Thomas Fleming is a superb American historian and writer. I have read several of his books. Because I read his and others, concerning early America, however, I found this book at times to be a little repetitive on subjects I am already familiar with. There were some interesting surprises, however, and of course, all the struggles of the new nation are something we always need a refresher on! A good book, especially for those who are not widely read on the subject. A good reminder of all we went through in those harrowing first years! Kudos to one of our historian treasures in Thomas Fleming!
May 21, 2025
This book pulled back the curtain of the highlights of this time that most people know. In doing so, Fleming reveals the humanness of those who strove to put a nation in place. By "humanness", I mean the pride, egos, pettiness, etc., that is inherent even in people we admire, and who are in many ways worthy of admiration. Even so, it is amazing that all of these men were able to come together and create a nation. There are so many people, places, and events, that it's a bit of a chore to keep up, but it is worth the effort.
August 26, 2017
What a great book! This is such an important yet not well known part of our history. This is a great book to read with After Yorktown by Glickstein which cover the same time period but from the military standpoint. This succeeds because even though it is a history, it makes you feel the emotion of the moment. Must read
August 30, 2025
Fascinating
It was sometimes difficult to keep up with all the names, but a very interesting read. He made a number of things very clear, mainly that no man deserved the title the Father of Our Country more than George Washington. George Washington's greatness shined throughout this book.
It was sometimes difficult to keep up with all the names, but a very interesting read. He made a number of things very clear, mainly that no man deserved the title the Father of Our Country more than George Washington. George Washington's greatness shined throughout this book.
February 21, 2017
Secret war was better...I read this book near the time I read Boone biography and was interesting to me that these very different lives were happening around same time...
September 2, 2017
A lot of insight into a forgotten and dark period for our country and reinforces how much we owe to George Washington and Benjamin Franklin.
January 11, 2018
Some bits of information about this period new to me, but they are not all that well connected. Some too-casual and biased attitudes towards some figures. Overall, not a terrible book, but I don’t quite care for author’s style.
April 7, 2018
Impressive
In school they never taught how fraught with drama and insecurity the end of the Revolutionary War was. This book goes on to great detail but is very readable.
In school they never taught how fraught with drama and insecurity the end of the Revolutionary War was. This book goes on to great detail but is very readable.
May 11, 2023
Never have I found a history book so interesting. It was almost a page turner. I learned so much.
April 5, 2024
Really good. Every American should read it to give perspective to modern vicissitudes and restore their admiration for the ideals upon which our independence were based.
June 30, 2024
Excellent History
Very readable narration with lots of details. I learnt a great deal on the history of this period which I knew only superficially
Very readable narration with lots of details. I learnt a great deal on the history of this period which I knew only superficially
November 18, 2025
simply wonderful
Just about one of the
Best rev war & Geo Washington I’ve read. A lot of detail wth being boring
Just about one of the
Best rev war & Geo Washington I’ve read. A lot of detail wth being boring
Read
August 15, 20182010 – 10 - The Perils of Peace: America's Struggle for Survival After Yorktown. Thomas Fleming (Author) 2008 368 pages
The British forces under LTG Charles Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown on the 19th of October 1781. The Treaty of Paris officially ending the conflict between the 13 independent states and the British crown was signed on the 13th of September in 1783 (ratification documents were exchanged on the 12th of May 1784.) This book is about the period between the surrender at Yorktown and the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1783 which formally ended the war a period of almost two years. Two years in which battles occurred, troops mutinied, and economies collapsed. Two years which have been mostly forgotten by Americans. Two years of Clasuwitzian struggles in which the war could just as easily have been lost.
Though this book is about war it adheres to the Clauswitzian notion of war as a continuation of politics and hence it is brutal political warfare which is focused on. Very little of the text talks about those battles which occurred both in America and around the world during this two year period. Most Americans will be surprised to learn that there were still battles in America which occurred after Yorktown and that this was a global war with battles fought in India, Europe, and the Caribbean. The bulk of this text shuttles between the political players in France, the US, and in London. Occasionally it makes a stop in the Continental Army to show how these events affected that body soldiers. A body of soldiers who were poorly paid, if paid at all, living on inferior rations, wearing rags as often as uniforms, getting little or no support from the American people.
To those readers who believe that we live in an era of political nastiness this book will come as a bit of a shock. The vigorous infighting among the Americans and even among the British will surprise many readers. The myths of the founding are stripped away and the bruising battles for control, the egoism, and the competing viewpoints will stun many readers. War is hell and politics are worse it seems. Many familiar figures like Washington, Hamilton, Burr, Jefferson, Franklin, and Adams struggle to exert their ideas and impose their vision on the new country.
A country which did not want to be a country, which saw it self as 13 independent countries. This was generally the case except among those men would become the Federalists and those in the Continental Army. It is that struggle between states and a central authority which characterizes the entire American experience the individual vs. the collective. You see its origins and its fault lines laid out in the competing agendas and egos of the founders. That we survived has perhaps more to do with the fact that England stood at the precipice and blinked.
The political situation in England, the party struggle in parliament the manipulations by King George III are well documented. They are also dizzying in the test of nerves and the Kings attempt to control the shaping of the situation. I had not realized how intimately involved, how hands on George the Third was during this war. The military focus of England certainly changed when France entered the war and in many ways the struggle in North America became for them a side show. Yet the King never lost hope that the colonies could be put once more under his rule. He had far more faith than his ministers who eventually took advantage of a small window of opportunity to make the Treaty of Paris possible. This window of opportunity was small, had it been missed, had there been greater perseverance to the war aims perhaps the Americans would have imploded.
Franklin and Washington stand out in this text as pillars of their era as heads and shoulders above all around them. Men of vision capable of staying the course, using compromise, and charisma to achieve that vision. To these two men we owe a debt of gratitude which belies simple explanation or mythologizing.
The book is well researched and annotated, it is well written and a dry subject such as interpersonal negotiation and scheming is informative and more importantly readable. It does require some effort to get through given the complexity of what was going on though the author has does a good job of laying it out.
The British forces under LTG Charles Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown on the 19th of October 1781. The Treaty of Paris officially ending the conflict between the 13 independent states and the British crown was signed on the 13th of September in 1783 (ratification documents were exchanged on the 12th of May 1784.) This book is about the period between the surrender at Yorktown and the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1783 which formally ended the war a period of almost two years. Two years in which battles occurred, troops mutinied, and economies collapsed. Two years which have been mostly forgotten by Americans. Two years of Clasuwitzian struggles in which the war could just as easily have been lost.
Though this book is about war it adheres to the Clauswitzian notion of war as a continuation of politics and hence it is brutal political warfare which is focused on. Very little of the text talks about those battles which occurred both in America and around the world during this two year period. Most Americans will be surprised to learn that there were still battles in America which occurred after Yorktown and that this was a global war with battles fought in India, Europe, and the Caribbean. The bulk of this text shuttles between the political players in France, the US, and in London. Occasionally it makes a stop in the Continental Army to show how these events affected that body soldiers. A body of soldiers who were poorly paid, if paid at all, living on inferior rations, wearing rags as often as uniforms, getting little or no support from the American people.
To those readers who believe that we live in an era of political nastiness this book will come as a bit of a shock. The vigorous infighting among the Americans and even among the British will surprise many readers. The myths of the founding are stripped away and the bruising battles for control, the egoism, and the competing viewpoints will stun many readers. War is hell and politics are worse it seems. Many familiar figures like Washington, Hamilton, Burr, Jefferson, Franklin, and Adams struggle to exert their ideas and impose their vision on the new country.
A country which did not want to be a country, which saw it self as 13 independent countries. This was generally the case except among those men would become the Federalists and those in the Continental Army. It is that struggle between states and a central authority which characterizes the entire American experience the individual vs. the collective. You see its origins and its fault lines laid out in the competing agendas and egos of the founders. That we survived has perhaps more to do with the fact that England stood at the precipice and blinked.
The political situation in England, the party struggle in parliament the manipulations by King George III are well documented. They are also dizzying in the test of nerves and the Kings attempt to control the shaping of the situation. I had not realized how intimately involved, how hands on George the Third was during this war. The military focus of England certainly changed when France entered the war and in many ways the struggle in North America became for them a side show. Yet the King never lost hope that the colonies could be put once more under his rule. He had far more faith than his ministers who eventually took advantage of a small window of opportunity to make the Treaty of Paris possible. This window of opportunity was small, had it been missed, had there been greater perseverance to the war aims perhaps the Americans would have imploded.
Franklin and Washington stand out in this text as pillars of their era as heads and shoulders above all around them. Men of vision capable of staying the course, using compromise, and charisma to achieve that vision. To these two men we owe a debt of gratitude which belies simple explanation or mythologizing.
The book is well researched and annotated, it is well written and a dry subject such as interpersonal negotiation and scheming is informative and more importantly readable. It does require some effort to get through given the complexity of what was going on though the author has does a good job of laying it out.
October 13, 2022
So far this appears to be a history of incidents such as Washington's stepson and Oneida chiefs wearing French uniforms being at the surrender of Yorktown or Washington's messenger having trouble getting to Congress with the news. New information? Yes. Impressive research? Also yes. Interesting? Mildly. Add up to anything significant to the big picture? Not really.
The author also likes to ascribe decisions to his speculative psychological diagnoses -- for example, the failure of French generals and admirals to take back New York and Newport -- when those were actually solid military judgments.
Most of the book tends to go on like that, recounting incidents more than the bigger picture, but it is useful in terms of what was going on inside the British government -- both parliament and the king's activities -- at the time, which isn't generally covered in detail in these books about the founders. So it's valuable for that.
The author also likes to ascribe decisions to his speculative psychological diagnoses -- for example, the failure of French generals and admirals to take back New York and Newport -- when those were actually solid military judgments.
Most of the book tends to go on like that, recounting incidents more than the bigger picture, but it is useful in terms of what was going on inside the British government -- both parliament and the king's activities -- at the time, which isn't generally covered in detail in these books about the founders. So it's valuable for that.
March 31, 2013
A wonderfully written book with a handsome dust jacket, well-researched subject matter, appealing to both the casual reader and history-buff, "The Perils of Peace" by Thomas Fleming focuses on the pivotal time after the American victory over the British at Yorktown. Each chapter is as illuminating as eleven candles lighting up a large dark room and shedding important light on situations and circumstances most people aren't keenly aware of and bringing to life a lot of the little details that would otherwise have been concealed by oblivion. Fleming writes with discernible passion and a learned flair that transports the reader to each unique setting he is vividly penning; no stone is left unturned as the author painstakingly delves into his historical retelling of this poignant time.
At times, admittedly, there are some slow parts as is par for the course with a lot of books, but Fleming is presenting an entirely meticulous overview of this crucial time period with intent to crystallize the storyline so the reader can fully understand the ramifications, reasons, and importance of what he is attempting to illustrate and convey. Going from start to finish the reader is treated with a delightful rendering of the past, beginning with the suspenseful battle scenes all the way to the pathos of the voluntary resignation of General Washington's commission to Congress and thus shocking the world and setting a precedent unheard of in that day and age.
Overall, this book is a magnificent treasure and not too lengthy or academic for the casual reader while still providing enough bursts of historical facts as well as esoteric findings to keep the more seasoned history lover engaged with page-turning interest. On a side note, I will point out that the author does generously make use of the phrase "not a few" in many of his sentences thus becoming a slight distraction. Also, there were a few grammatical mistakes in the book. If I could rate this review a 4.5 I would, but since halves are disallowed, I grant the author a five star rating based on how invigorating his breadth of research and captivating writing style converge into a wonderfully enjoyable book that should appeal to everyone.
At times, admittedly, there are some slow parts as is par for the course with a lot of books, but Fleming is presenting an entirely meticulous overview of this crucial time period with intent to crystallize the storyline so the reader can fully understand the ramifications, reasons, and importance of what he is attempting to illustrate and convey. Going from start to finish the reader is treated with a delightful rendering of the past, beginning with the suspenseful battle scenes all the way to the pathos of the voluntary resignation of General Washington's commission to Congress and thus shocking the world and setting a precedent unheard of in that day and age.
Overall, this book is a magnificent treasure and not too lengthy or academic for the casual reader while still providing enough bursts of historical facts as well as esoteric findings to keep the more seasoned history lover engaged with page-turning interest. On a side note, I will point out that the author does generously make use of the phrase "not a few" in many of his sentences thus becoming a slight distraction. Also, there were a few grammatical mistakes in the book. If I could rate this review a 4.5 I would, but since halves are disallowed, I grant the author a five star rating based on how invigorating his breadth of research and captivating writing style converge into a wonderfully enjoyable book that should appeal to everyone.
January 25, 2008
This rapidly compelling narrative history makes short shrift of the unstable time from Yorktown till Washington returns his commission. In a time of heated diplomacy, Thomas Fleming paints a detailed picture of the fight for the peace: military, financial, and personal. In so doing, Fleming makes the rest of history more understandable.
With a historian's individualist bent, the interrelation of world events become swirls within swirls, each driving the next. Franklin with Washington's portrait behind him, talking with the Comte de Vergennes about one of a series of loans that are a part of winning the American revolution, bankrupting France, which causes the loss of Louis XVI's head, the consolidation of the British Empire, Turkey's continued presence, Prussia's growth...
Fleming's character sketches are almost novel in their detail. Pulling quotes from countless letters, weaving them together chronologically, a seemingly omniscient fabric emerges to explain that moment in time and its consequences. Yet, one must be left to wonder about the prism. The tell-tale pattern of villain and hero becomes apparent. The consistent epithet, the unneeded adverb, and the unprovable attribution of responsibility coalesce to cast a shadow of bias on this otherwise spotless reality.
The antipathy for John Adams was a large clue. The hidden majesty of Edmund Burke was another. The constant excusing of Silas Deane and villainy of Arthur Lee was near incontrovertible. All that besides the absolute reverence of Washington and relative worship of Franklin added up to an entertaining story with only enough fluff and pandering to pull the American reader along. In short, the leaps Thomas Fleming's command of the history allow are long enough to excite but short enough to remain plausible.
With a historian's individualist bent, the interrelation of world events become swirls within swirls, each driving the next. Franklin with Washington's portrait behind him, talking with the Comte de Vergennes about one of a series of loans that are a part of winning the American revolution, bankrupting France, which causes the loss of Louis XVI's head, the consolidation of the British Empire, Turkey's continued presence, Prussia's growth...
Fleming's character sketches are almost novel in their detail. Pulling quotes from countless letters, weaving them together chronologically, a seemingly omniscient fabric emerges to explain that moment in time and its consequences. Yet, one must be left to wonder about the prism. The tell-tale pattern of villain and hero becomes apparent. The consistent epithet, the unneeded adverb, and the unprovable attribution of responsibility coalesce to cast a shadow of bias on this otherwise spotless reality.
The antipathy for John Adams was a large clue. The hidden majesty of Edmund Burke was another. The constant excusing of Silas Deane and villainy of Arthur Lee was near incontrovertible. All that besides the absolute reverence of Washington and relative worship of Franklin added up to an entertaining story with only enough fluff and pandering to pull the American reader along. In short, the leaps Thomas Fleming's command of the history allow are long enough to excite but short enough to remain plausible.
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