Washington's Crossing

WASHINGTON’S CROSSING: David Hackett Fischer: Oxford University Press: 2004: 564 pages: nonfiction

This is an excellent history of the hazardous crossings of the Delaware by the Continental Army and state militias under George Washington in late December of 1776. The author does an excellent job of combining the human stories of these eventful days with the tactical and strategic ramifications of the winter campaigns that turned the tide of the Revolutionary War through victories in Trenton and Princeton. The contrast between the leadership styles of the American, British and Hessian armies is highlighted as well as the strengths and weaknesses of each group. The book also gives very interesting insight into the problems Washington experienced trying to lead so many independent groups and how his leadership style developed. The war was an excellent training ground for a future first president of a new nation with a new kind of government.

I highly recommend this book to everyone, but especially to all of those who have forgotten what little they ever knew about the Revolutionary War. Fischer proves that in depth analysis is not incompatible with a readable book.

SH