What do you think?
Rate this book
Washington's Secret War: The Hidden History of Valley Forge
The defining moments of the Revolutionary War did not occur on the battlefield or at the diplomatic table, claims Thomas Fleming, but at Valley Forge, where the Continental Army wintered in 1777 & 78. WASHINGTON'S SECRET WAR tells the dramatic story of how those several critical months transformed a beaten, bedraggled group of recruits into a professional army capable of defeating the world's most formidable military power.
While the British Army relaxed in Philadelphia only 20 miles away, George Washington trained his army under brutal conditions. Fleming reveals that during this difficult winter Washington was simultaneously fighting another war - one for his political life as members of the Continental Congress hatched a plot to unseat him and others plotted to betray him. For the first time, WASHINGTON'S SECRET WAR reveals how Washington's genius at negotiating the gray world of spies, double agents, and palace intrigue vaulted him from losing general to the charismatic father of his country.
400 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
303 people are currently reading
4307 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
April 27, 2016
Lately I've been on a Revolutionary War kick. My brother got me this book for my birthday, so I read it.
LAME.
Despite the subtitle, nothing I read about Valley Forge in this book was hidden to me. I already knew that the weather wasn't that cold, or that the soldiers were starving because of poor administration, not a lack of food (Valley Forge is actually rich farmland with high yields). Moreover, I already knew about the Conway Cabal and Washington's efforts to fend off usurpers like Horatio Gates. I knew this all because I read Ferling's "Almost A Miracle," which was a simple, one-volume military history of the Revolution. Essentially, everything I learned in Fleming's micro-history I got from reading a non-scholarly overview of the entire war.
The book breaks down like this. Fleming quotes one of Washington's letters. Then Fleming tells you that the letter mean that Washington was a great political infighter. Then he quotes another letter and again tells you that Washington was a great political infighter. Whoop-dee-do.
Fleming also is a conspiracy nut. He really thinks that Conway and Gates intended a coup de main to replace Washington. Ferling dismissed this as nonsense. I tend to agree wtih him. I'm sure that the Conway Cabal existed in some form, but I don't think it ever came close to succeeding.
I was quite disappointed in Fleming's description of the Battle of Monmouth. I actually agree with him that Monmouth represented a victory of sorts, even if it was only a moral victory. However, his treatment of General Charles Lee is one-sided and half-explained. Fleming dives into the battle in media res, after Lee has met Cornwallis's rear guard and started a retreat. He goes on to describe Washington's famous tongue-lashing of Lee, when Washington relieved Lee of his command and took over himself. However, Fleming never talks about the mistakes made by Lafayette in positioning his troops, a mistake that greatly weakened Lee's position and perhaps necessitated a retreat in order to save the army.
There is also a lot of filler. Long digressions about General Howe's going away party, and John Andre's womanizing, and Peggy Shippen's burgeoning romance with Benedict Arnold. None of these things have anything to do with Valley Forge.
I guess there weren't all that many secrets to tell.
LAME.
Despite the subtitle, nothing I read about Valley Forge in this book was hidden to me. I already knew that the weather wasn't that cold, or that the soldiers were starving because of poor administration, not a lack of food (Valley Forge is actually rich farmland with high yields). Moreover, I already knew about the Conway Cabal and Washington's efforts to fend off usurpers like Horatio Gates. I knew this all because I read Ferling's "Almost A Miracle," which was a simple, one-volume military history of the Revolution. Essentially, everything I learned in Fleming's micro-history I got from reading a non-scholarly overview of the entire war.
The book breaks down like this. Fleming quotes one of Washington's letters. Then Fleming tells you that the letter mean that Washington was a great political infighter. Then he quotes another letter and again tells you that Washington was a great political infighter. Whoop-dee-do.
Fleming also is a conspiracy nut. He really thinks that Conway and Gates intended a coup de main to replace Washington. Ferling dismissed this as nonsense. I tend to agree wtih him. I'm sure that the Conway Cabal existed in some form, but I don't think it ever came close to succeeding.
I was quite disappointed in Fleming's description of the Battle of Monmouth. I actually agree with him that Monmouth represented a victory of sorts, even if it was only a moral victory. However, his treatment of General Charles Lee is one-sided and half-explained. Fleming dives into the battle in media res, after Lee has met Cornwallis's rear guard and started a retreat. He goes on to describe Washington's famous tongue-lashing of Lee, when Washington relieved Lee of his command and took over himself. However, Fleming never talks about the mistakes made by Lafayette in positioning his troops, a mistake that greatly weakened Lee's position and perhaps necessitated a retreat in order to save the army.
There is also a lot of filler. Long digressions about General Howe's going away party, and John Andre's womanizing, and Peggy Shippen's burgeoning romance with Benedict Arnold. None of these things have anything to do with Valley Forge.
I guess there weren't all that many secrets to tell.
February 23, 2017
Well I wasn't going to rate this more than 3 but the final 75 pages turned things around for me. Washington's secret political war was in fact quite remarkable. Reminded me a bit of Eisenhower's similar political war with some of his allied compatriots. Only leaders of this caliber could stand a chance of success. Some fascinating things I learned . . .
* Did you know that during the Revolutionary War that Philadelphia was the largest city in America and 3rd largest city in the British Empire.
* Washington is just an incredible person, leader, soldier, politician, friend. Amazing.
* Without Lafayette and Steuben things might have turned out differently.
* Interesting that the British General Howe was maligned as much by his homeland as was Washington here.
* Only the Brits could rename the poor house the "Bettering House".
* Philadelphia and Pennsylvania were largely loyalists when choosing sides. This attitude and the large population of Quakers made provisioning the soldiers at Valley Forge difficult at best. Nathanael Greene finally turned this around.
* Washington's early strategy "avoid at all costs a winner take all battle" was wise and permitted harassment of the Brits while protecting his own men and assets.
* Sam Adams was more than a bit of a pain, severely anti Washington in his behaviors. Ironic that he once bankrupted the family's brewing business and now his name is associated with one of the best beers in America.
* Anna Maria Lane! Check her out.
* The cabal of S. Adams, B. Rush, Mifflin, Conway, etc should have at least been jailed, borderline treason. Charles Lee, later, was definitely a traitor.
* Did you know that during the Revolutionary War that Philadelphia was the largest city in America and 3rd largest city in the British Empire.
* Washington is just an incredible person, leader, soldier, politician, friend. Amazing.
* Without Lafayette and Steuben things might have turned out differently.
* Interesting that the British General Howe was maligned as much by his homeland as was Washington here.
* Only the Brits could rename the poor house the "Bettering House".
* Philadelphia and Pennsylvania were largely loyalists when choosing sides. This attitude and the large population of Quakers made provisioning the soldiers at Valley Forge difficult at best. Nathanael Greene finally turned this around.
* Washington's early strategy "avoid at all costs a winner take all battle" was wise and permitted harassment of the Brits while protecting his own men and assets.
* Sam Adams was more than a bit of a pain, severely anti Washington in his behaviors. Ironic that he once bankrupted the family's brewing business and now his name is associated with one of the best beers in America.
* Anna Maria Lane! Check her out.
* The cabal of S. Adams, B. Rush, Mifflin, Conway, etc should have at least been jailed, borderline treason. Charles Lee, later, was definitely a traitor.
August 4, 2016
A very well-executed history of this pivotal time & place in the American Revolution. Fleming succeeds in his avowed aim of showing George Washington the adept political operative, a man at least as skilled in the art of politics as he was in the art of war.
Fleming doesn't bother to hide his contempt for his villains, the "true Whigs" (such as Benjamin Rush, Sam Adams, James Lovell, and their fellows; political theorists today might call their tendency "civic republicanism") and the scheming would-be rival generals (Horatio Gates, Charles Lee, Thomas Mifflin, and Thomas Conway). He has scarcely more regard for the citizens of Pennsylvania and in particular the Quakers, who he generally sees as shirkers, cowards, and profiteers. He occasionally veers into overt cheering and booing of his favorites & foes; while slightly annoying, this didn't detract from the book in a serious way.
Along the way, some myths about the miserable winter at Valley Forge are cleared up and some are put on sound footing. There are a few odd attempts to buttress the notion of Washington as a more conventional believing Christian (rather than the deist he has long been regarded as). These were unconvincing to me; Jefferson and Lincoln appealed to 'Providence' as much as Washington did, and neither of them would be mistaken for Presbyterians or Baptists.
One nugget I enjoyed: Samuel Adams failed at nearly everything he turned his hand to, and drove his family's brewery directly into bankruptcy when he took it over. I'll never see the ads the same way again.
Fleming doesn't bother to hide his contempt for his villains, the "true Whigs" (such as Benjamin Rush, Sam Adams, James Lovell, and their fellows; political theorists today might call their tendency "civic republicanism") and the scheming would-be rival generals (Horatio Gates, Charles Lee, Thomas Mifflin, and Thomas Conway). He has scarcely more regard for the citizens of Pennsylvania and in particular the Quakers, who he generally sees as shirkers, cowards, and profiteers. He occasionally veers into overt cheering and booing of his favorites & foes; while slightly annoying, this didn't detract from the book in a serious way.
Along the way, some myths about the miserable winter at Valley Forge are cleared up and some are put on sound footing. There are a few odd attempts to buttress the notion of Washington as a more conventional believing Christian (rather than the deist he has long been regarded as). These were unconvincing to me; Jefferson and Lincoln appealed to 'Providence' as much as Washington did, and neither of them would be mistaken for Presbyterians or Baptists.
One nugget I enjoyed: Samuel Adams failed at nearly everything he turned his hand to, and drove his family's brewery directly into bankruptcy when he took it over. I'll never see the ads the same way again.
November 13, 2012
With all the infighting in the American army it is a wonder we won.
June 8, 2022
I admit right away this is a book I purchased by accident, though a happy one in the end. I mistakenly believed the book was about Washington's spy ring (I was probably looking for Alexander Rose's Washington's Spies) because I failed to read the subtitle or the synopsis. Maybe I picked this up at a library sale. I can't recall.
I quickly realized my error a few pages in, but the topic and the prose was not the dry, toasted wheat bread one sometimes gets with history books, and it promised to upend my preconceived notions of Valley Forge (the long-distance lens of history is one of my favorites), so I continued on.
The book proved an enjoyable read replete with an abundance of source material (amounting to 35 pages of bibliographical notes and an index for contemporaneous historical documents letters and newspaper articles, etc.) stitched together into a useful whole. While it sometimes ranged well outside Washington's trepidations at Valley Forge, such as the behavior of the British Generals and armies of occupation, and the incompetencies of numerous state and "federal" legislatures, these served to provide a framework for events and emphasize the utter disarray within which Washington had to operate. Yes, conditions at Valley Forge were harsh, but logistical failures made the destruction of the army a very near thing.
There were a few narrative choices I didn't particularly like, such as "He was referring to Valley Forge--a name that meant nothing to 95 perfect of the men in the ranks." This kind of smug generalization occurs more than once, and a line like this in a history book is problematic for me because I trust figures to have the weight of evidence, particularly when so much of the book relies on source material. My first though is: "who was conducting surveys at Valley Forge in 1777?" It's a flippant implication about the obscurity of Valley Forge, where Washington had chosen to make winter camp, which is a statement that could have tolerated the lack of embellishment. Adding a specific number unnecessarily gave it confusing validity and I'm surprised an editor let it slip through.
The book spends much time laying the groundwork for Washington's issues and showing his patience and stalwart nature, as well as those who were impressed by his nature supporting him in Congress and elsewhere, which eventually wins out against far more opponents than a simple education would suggest existed. Fleming also debunks some of the mythical scenarios in camp, such as terrible weather and freezing temperatures (though he later retraces this and confirms many soldiers were severely underclothed and underfed, the housing insufficient, and the weather frequently unpleasant), though undersupply and poor equipment were very real.
Using contemporaneous sources, one of the most effective truths Fleming achieves (and for patriotic, nationistic hero worshippers the most unpleasant), is revealing the absolute trainwreck of the early American political system before the Constitution and the floundering incompetence baked into radical government. He unveils the Revolution as something that is not universally supported, nor was Washington buoyed with unwavering support--in both cases these things were shockingly close to being evenly split. The abundance of political favoritism, deception, hostility, underhandedness, opportunism, ignorance, jealousy, and a myriad of all-too-common behaviors that are a plague upon and ruin of nations, old and new, utterly destroys the whitewashed image of a nation born of necessity and righteousness, when in fact the success of the US was a combination of luck, bad logistics for England, and the sheer tenacity of a handful of individuals (not unlike the creation of the Constitution itself), such as Washington, whose entire goal for much of his maligned, early generalship was to Not Be Destroyed Before Help Arrives.
It is this fraught existence due to Washington's malefactors rather than British opposition that makes Washington so impressive. Given the obstacles within his own country, dealing with a foreign army seems almost an afterthought, and the smaller part of his generalship in the early part of the war. Washington proves not just a capable commander once he has an army after Valley Forge and the military training reforms of von Steuben, but capable in those things that make mere military savants legendary: a politically savvy commander. Washington's primary job was to maintain the existence of an army when forces within and without his new nation seemed determined to destroy it, be it through military encounter or deprivation of supplies due to incompetence or malice. The existence of the United States proves his effectiveness at doing so, though I'm confident he would give some credit to his oft-esteemed "providence."
While it's less surprising to see in-fighting amidst individual commanders with more interest in glory and name-making undermine one another in a new nation of potentially split loyalties, it's profoundly shocking to see a country purportedly determined to win its freedom from an oppressive parent nation and watch its government repeatedly fail to give it the means to do so.
The more history one reads, the more a few salient patterns emerge as permanent fixtures of the human experiment:
- There is always a loud-mouthed extreme radical contingent, even amidst the radicals, who make the radicals seem normal by comparison.
- Extreme radicals are often swayed by the incompetent who loudly proclaim their own merits.
- Dunning-Kruger, by other names, has been around for as long as human personality.
- Tenacity remains the best tactic to overcome wrongdoers with friends in high places, but vigilance is required to do so.
- What is unique about Washington, visible in this book and explicitly stated in Ron Chernow's Washington: A Life, is his temperament, tenacity, and ability to allow his deeds to speak for themselves, the patience to permit the incompetent to entangle themselves in their own lies and the opportunity to undermine themselves, and silently allow these triumphs of character to coalesce into opportunities for advancement, exculpatory evidence, and military and political victory.
I made and recorded these observations while reading, and at the end of the book Fleming neatly recognizes the same:
Writing and then publishing in 2005, amidst the crisis of terrorism and post-dotcom bust, Fleming ends with this (and so will I), and it seems as poignant as ever because, as I've suggested, history is one long rhyming epic:
I quickly realized my error a few pages in, but the topic and the prose was not the dry, toasted wheat bread one sometimes gets with history books, and it promised to upend my preconceived notions of Valley Forge (the long-distance lens of history is one of my favorites), so I continued on.
The book proved an enjoyable read replete with an abundance of source material (amounting to 35 pages of bibliographical notes and an index for contemporaneous historical documents letters and newspaper articles, etc.) stitched together into a useful whole. While it sometimes ranged well outside Washington's trepidations at Valley Forge, such as the behavior of the British Generals and armies of occupation, and the incompetencies of numerous state and "federal" legislatures, these served to provide a framework for events and emphasize the utter disarray within which Washington had to operate. Yes, conditions at Valley Forge were harsh, but logistical failures made the destruction of the army a very near thing.
There were a few narrative choices I didn't particularly like, such as "He was referring to Valley Forge--a name that meant nothing to 95 perfect of the men in the ranks." This kind of smug generalization occurs more than once, and a line like this in a history book is problematic for me because I trust figures to have the weight of evidence, particularly when so much of the book relies on source material. My first though is: "who was conducting surveys at Valley Forge in 1777?" It's a flippant implication about the obscurity of Valley Forge, where Washington had chosen to make winter camp, which is a statement that could have tolerated the lack of embellishment. Adding a specific number unnecessarily gave it confusing validity and I'm surprised an editor let it slip through.
The book spends much time laying the groundwork for Washington's issues and showing his patience and stalwart nature, as well as those who were impressed by his nature supporting him in Congress and elsewhere, which eventually wins out against far more opponents than a simple education would suggest existed. Fleming also debunks some of the mythical scenarios in camp, such as terrible weather and freezing temperatures (though he later retraces this and confirms many soldiers were severely underclothed and underfed, the housing insufficient, and the weather frequently unpleasant), though undersupply and poor equipment were very real.
Using contemporaneous sources, one of the most effective truths Fleming achieves (and for patriotic, nationistic hero worshippers the most unpleasant), is revealing the absolute trainwreck of the early American political system before the Constitution and the floundering incompetence baked into radical government. He unveils the Revolution as something that is not universally supported, nor was Washington buoyed with unwavering support--in both cases these things were shockingly close to being evenly split. The abundance of political favoritism, deception, hostility, underhandedness, opportunism, ignorance, jealousy, and a myriad of all-too-common behaviors that are a plague upon and ruin of nations, old and new, utterly destroys the whitewashed image of a nation born of necessity and righteousness, when in fact the success of the US was a combination of luck, bad logistics for England, and the sheer tenacity of a handful of individuals (not unlike the creation of the Constitution itself), such as Washington, whose entire goal for much of his maligned, early generalship was to Not Be Destroyed Before Help Arrives.
It is this fraught existence due to Washington's malefactors rather than British opposition that makes Washington so impressive. Given the obstacles within his own country, dealing with a foreign army seems almost an afterthought, and the smaller part of his generalship in the early part of the war. Washington proves not just a capable commander once he has an army after Valley Forge and the military training reforms of von Steuben, but capable in those things that make mere military savants legendary: a politically savvy commander. Washington's primary job was to maintain the existence of an army when forces within and without his new nation seemed determined to destroy it, be it through military encounter or deprivation of supplies due to incompetence or malice. The existence of the United States proves his effectiveness at doing so, though I'm confident he would give some credit to his oft-esteemed "providence."
While it's less surprising to see in-fighting amidst individual commanders with more interest in glory and name-making undermine one another in a new nation of potentially split loyalties, it's profoundly shocking to see a country purportedly determined to win its freedom from an oppressive parent nation and watch its government repeatedly fail to give it the means to do so.
The more history one reads, the more a few salient patterns emerge as permanent fixtures of the human experiment:
- There is always a loud-mouthed extreme radical contingent, even amidst the radicals, who make the radicals seem normal by comparison.
- Extreme radicals are often swayed by the incompetent who loudly proclaim their own merits.
- Dunning-Kruger, by other names, has been around for as long as human personality.
- Tenacity remains the best tactic to overcome wrongdoers with friends in high places, but vigilance is required to do so.
- What is unique about Washington, visible in this book and explicitly stated in Ron Chernow's Washington: A Life, is his temperament, tenacity, and ability to allow his deeds to speak for themselves, the patience to permit the incompetent to entangle themselves in their own lies and the opportunity to undermine themselves, and silently allow these triumphs of character to coalesce into opportunities for advancement, exculpatory evidence, and military and political victory.
I made and recorded these observations while reading, and at the end of the book Fleming neatly recognizes the same:
Telling the whole truth means a readiness to blame as well as praise, to see the revolutionists of 1776 as all too human in many respects--not so different from the mix of politicians of mediocrity and ability, self-interest, and vision, who have presided over the nation's destiny in every generation since 1776. It also means a readiness to recognize greatness when that rarest of blessings emerges inexplicably from history's depths.
Writing and then publishing in 2005, amidst the crisis of terrorism and post-dotcom bust, Fleming ends with this (and so will I), and it seems as poignant as ever because, as I've suggested, history is one long rhyming epic:
On July 4, 1976, during the nation's bicentennial, President Gerald Ford came to Valley Forge... On the world scene, it was another time of crisis for the United States of America. Communist enemies were exulting in their victory in Vietnam. A president and vice president had left office in disgrace, elevating this unassuming veteran congressman from Michigan to the White House.
President Ford found words that confronted these troubled times and summed up much of Valley Forge's meaning for the twentieth- and twenty-first-century Americans: "The patriots of Valley Forge send us a single, urgent message. Though prosperity is a good thing, a nation survives only so long as the spirit of sacrifice and self-discipline is strong within its people... When our Tri-Centennial celebration rolls around, grateful Americans will come to this shrine of quiet valor, this forge of our Republic's iron core."
December 12, 2017
A well written and interesting account of George Washington while he led his new army to Valley Forge during the Revolutionary War. While this is not a difficult read, if one is not familiar with some of the key individuals (e.g., Mifflin, Gates, Wayne, etc.) that influenced the Revolutionary War, the beginning of the book can be somewhat confusing until the reader becomes acquainted with all of the military officers, politicians, and people in power during this time in American history. Written in a format that does jump between Washington's experiences in Valley Forge versus the political debates in Pennsylvania, the reader has to stay focused on this historical account of Washington. The main thing I liked about this book was the accumulation of quotes from letters that were transpired during Washington's time in Valley Forge. The letters disclose pettiness of our founding fathers and Congress, a lack of faith in Washington as a leader, the turmoil of the military in Valley Forge, and the downfall of individuals trying to oust Washington as the military commander. The reveal of some of these details are things one will never learn in school: from Washington's strategy to gain political favor to personal details about Washington's life, including his religion and home-life. As a native Pennsylvanian, this book also brought to life the lives of individuals that our towns and schools are named after, which created a fascination of this account for me. I recommend for any history buff.
February 19, 2012
I read almost all of this book in one day and I enjoyed reading about the events of Valley Forge that I was not terribly familiar with. The parts on Baron Von Steuben were my favorite. I knew that he was not what he presented himself to be when he arrived here, but I did not realize how impressed everyone, even those outside of Valley Forge, was with the work that Von Steuben did with the Continental Army.
A majority of the book focuses on the political intrigues between Generals (Washington, Gates, Lee) and the Continental Congress in Philadelphia/York. I have read a lot about the Revolutionary War, and I had heard about Conway and how Gates wanted a greater position of power, but this book had the feeling that the author was reaching a bit. He seemed to put much greater emphasis on specific quotes and writings of some of the historical figures than other serious historians have done. One part of the writing style that irked me a bit that the author used repeatedly was, "this historian believes..." For some reason it bothered me and said to me, the reader, that while the author felt he was taking a stand, I felt that he was trying to make a place for himself in the historical scholarship.
A majority of the book focuses on the political intrigues between Generals (Washington, Gates, Lee) and the Continental Congress in Philadelphia/York. I have read a lot about the Revolutionary War, and I had heard about Conway and how Gates wanted a greater position of power, but this book had the feeling that the author was reaching a bit. He seemed to put much greater emphasis on specific quotes and writings of some of the historical figures than other serious historians have done. One part of the writing style that irked me a bit that the author used repeatedly was, "this historian believes..." For some reason it bothered me and said to me, the reader, that while the author felt he was taking a stand, I felt that he was trying to make a place for himself in the historical scholarship.
October 21, 2022
Fleming is clearly a huge admirer of Washington, and as a result, he eviscerates within his book anyone who got in the first President's way. I had read this in reviews of his other books: that he already feels strongly about certain historical figures, and then somewhat makes things fit together neatly to tell his story. I mean, this is a total soap opera of the American Revolution. I liked it quite a bit though as I enjoy a good political drama.
September 17, 2013
I really liked this because of the amount of interesting information I never knew of nearby Valley Forge. I suppose that,s why it's the hidden history - duh. Washington sure didn't have an easy go of it and it had only a little to do with the weather. A must for Revolutionary War history buffs.
January 10, 2022
This well researched account of Valley Forge is eye opening. At times, while reading, I’m amazed at the suffering and bravery of the soldiers in the Continental Army during the winters at Valley Forge. Many of them had tattered clothing and no shoes. And, the Continental Congress seemed to be indifferent to the fact many were starving. The sacrifices these soldiers made, along with their faith in General George Washington, is awe inspiring. Toward the end of the book is a quote from President Ford that I feel compelled to share given the controversy we find ourselves in while dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The patriots of Valley Forge send us a single, urgent message. Though prosperity is a good thing, a nation survives only so long as the spirit of sacrifice and self-discipline is strong within its people.”
“The patriots of Valley Forge send us a single, urgent message. Though prosperity is a good thing, a nation survives only so long as the spirit of sacrifice and self-discipline is strong within its people.”
November 8, 2017
Valley Forge is a very special place for those that have been there. As you walk among the ruins or remnants of an army that lived, breathed and died here, picture a brutal winter, no food--men eating their leather goods, bark huts or dugouts, disease and death. You wonder how a General of any kind kept his soldiers together. Washington said loses were as high as 3000, however, it's now estimated that he lost more than half his army oh, BTW, their enlistments were up so they could just go home. They were preparing for Trenton and Princeton, General Baron Von Stuben had arrived and the Charismatic leadership of Washington was about to go into overdrive. Hold onto your seat the ride is just beginning.
March 5, 2019
Interesting corner of American history
I can’t say I found this book to be required reading on the birth of our nation but I did find it an enjoyable look at the making of General Washington into the father of the United States. I also appreciated the sentiment— sometimes genius takes a while to be recognized.
I didn’t love the author’s occasionally overtly sexist remarks about female participation in the war for independence. Oddly I think he probably thought he was being laudatory rather than patronizing to women.
Just shows that history is written about imperfect souls who fought to make a free world so imperfect souls could write it.
I can’t say I found this book to be required reading on the birth of our nation but I did find it an enjoyable look at the making of General Washington into the father of the United States. I also appreciated the sentiment— sometimes genius takes a while to be recognized.
I didn’t love the author’s occasionally overtly sexist remarks about female participation in the war for independence. Oddly I think he probably thought he was being laudatory rather than patronizing to women.
Just shows that history is written about imperfect souls who fought to make a free world so imperfect souls could write it.
June 7, 2017
This book was hard to put down. Many history authors are very knowledgeable on their subject but have difficulty putting readable thoughts into a good story. I won't repeat what other reviewers have said about the book, they are all accurate. What Fleming has done is to provide a narrative of a narrow part of the Revolution and intertwine it into the wider context of the era. Any book that can entertainingly add to a better understanding of Washington the man and soldier is worth reading.
December 4, 2017
This book was all over the place. I did learn some new things despite having previously read a bit about Valley Forge. I appreciated the in-depth examination of the events going on behind-the-scenes during the winter of 1777-78. But how accurate this book is remains to be seen; there are no references in this edition to support anything the author claims. The writing is so biased I can’t make a determination about what is real and what is exaggerated.
October 9, 2019
An absolutely brilliant read about why George Washington was a capable politician, contrary to what some people may think. This book does an excellent job of detailing the relationship between Washington and the other generals or Congress to highlight how Washington maneuvered against his own countrymen while also fighting a war against the British. I did find this book a little rambling and scattered, but overall enjoyed it tremendously.
February 17, 2019
Really enjoyed this book. So many military histories are extremely dry because they focus on data and strategies. This book gave an unusual look at the politics behind the scenes. It was surprising to those politicians of 250 years ago behaving so much like the politicians of today (and not in a flattering way).
March 5, 2020
A Very Detailed Account
I was lost in many of the political moves of the early detractors of General Washington as I am in the political moves today. Most are done by delirious folks for personal glory of gain. Not much has changed in the ensuing years! I never realized that HE was a victim of those scoundrels.
I was lost in many of the political moves of the early detractors of General Washington as I am in the political moves today. Most are done by delirious folks for personal glory of gain. Not much has changed in the ensuing years! I never realized that HE was a victim of those scoundrels.
August 24, 2017
Excellent read
I have lived in Philadelphia my entire life and have visited Valley forge a few times however I feel the need to revisit after reading this book. We owe so many thanks to the men who served there.
I have lived in Philadelphia my entire life and have visited Valley forge a few times however I feel the need to revisit after reading this book. We owe so many thanks to the men who served there.
October 10, 2017
This book goes into great detail about the politics during the revolutionary war and the behind the scenes conniving of Gates and Lee to try and replace Washington. I was somewhat familiar with it from reading other books but not at this level of detail.
July 2, 2018
Excellent book! Fleming combines the rigorous research and scholarship of a historian with the readability of a great novelist. This is a very interesting story of the intrigue surrounding Washington, both in Congress and the army, during the long winter at Valley Forge.
April 27, 2021
Fleming provides insightful Revolutionary War history omitted from general American History courses. The author also adds substance to George Washington the man. The book added much to my understanding of this time period in our history.
January 9, 2023
A slow starter, that is fascinating at times, but boring at others. I feel this book could’ve used a bit of editing. The family history itself of mental illness however is very intriguing and worth the read.
January 19, 2025
Intriguing account of the political infighting amongst members of the Continental Congress and attempts to remove Washington as leader of the Continental army. Balanced, well-written and carefully researched.
February 21, 2017
Fascinating - Insightful - Well researched Details I'd never heard before
August 9, 2017
Heavy on names, dates, and places, but an interesting read.
December 15, 2017
This important work reveals the full scope of the obstacles facing Washington and the war for American independence at Valley Forge. Very readable and enlightening.
June 9, 2018
Good detail on Valley Forge
He would have had a good book if he had kept it just to Valley Forge. He got too wide ranging to keep my attention throughout the entire book.
He would have had a good book if he had kept it just to Valley Forge. He got too wide ranging to keep my attention throughout the entire book.
January 10, 2019
Great read
Thank you
5star rating. I lived near valley forge and visited there many times. They don't tell you what is written in this book
Thank you
5star rating. I lived near valley forge and visited there many times. They don't tell you what is written in this book
July 15, 2019
Excellent book! Highly recommend this book if you are interested in learning more about George Washington.
September 18, 2020
Returned by kindle. Well-researched and well-written, great resource for research and/or a term paper. Enjoy!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews