The Winter Soldiers

by Richard M. Ketchum

Book Overview

In the fall of 1776 the British delivered a crushing blow. New York fell and the anguished retreat through New Jersey followed. Winter came with a vengeance, bringing what Thomas Paine called "the times that try men's souls." The Winter Soldiers is the story of a small band of men held together by George Washington in the face of disaster and hopelessness, desperately needing at least one victory to salvage both cause and country. It is a tale of...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385054904
• ISBN13: 9780385054904
• Release Date: January 1973
• Publisher: Doubleday Books
• Length: 435 Pages
• Weight: 1.60 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Wonderful description of a fascinating Campaign

While I tend to read books on military history, I have not read much about the American Revolution. Thus I picked up this book to fill in gaps in my research. I found this book to be a wonderful work describing the American Revolution from its origins through Washington's brilliant winter campaign at Trenton and Princeton.Before covering the battles named in the title, Ketcham provides a solid summary of the origins of the war, discusses some of the politics and difficulties both sides faced. His discription of the conflict between not just the armies, but the citizenry was very interesting. The book describes the sad cycle of violence and revenge between Tory and Patriot as armies moved back and forth. For me it put the revolution in a new light.The discussion of military operations begins with the campaign in NewYork. It is covered quickly, but in sufficient detail to understand the action. This is important because it sets the scene to understand the reasons for the titled battles, Trenton and Princeton. The book really shines in this coverage. I was entralled with the text and speed through it. It was a wonder to me that after the disasterous New York campaign Washington was able to keep his army together and perform a series of brilliant maneuvers that just completely stymied the British forces. After reading this book I have a new found respect for Washington as a military leader. He is frequently dismissed as a general, but I now think that his leadership in this campaign should rank with the greatest.I found this book to be very memorable, and probably worth rereading at a later date. I recommend it for any one interested in learning about this period of the American Revolution, especially if you do not have a great deal of background in the subject.

You Could Track Them...by the Blood of Their Feet...

Trenton and Princeton were so critical to the success of the Revolution that the password for the Trenton operation was 'Victory or Death.' Author and historian Richard Ketchum has captured this desperation in his excellent narrative of the campaign, along with the anguish, heartbreak, and jubilation that usually accompany military operations and battles lost and won.A careful, methodical historian, Ketchum's books are all interesting and need to be read and reread. This one is no exception. Both sides are covered completely and fairly, and the personalities abound for us to ponder, shoake our heads at, or admire. Washington was near-peerless in this campaign, from his battlefield leadership at Princeton, where his aide-de-camp shielded his eyes at what he thought was his chief's impending death, to the careful, almost desperate, planning for the daring river crossing of the ice-choked Delaware and the march to Trenton. It is easy to dismiss or take for granted the Father of our Country over two hundred years later, but he was a towering figure to his peers, countrymen, and enemies. This book, and its author, give him his due as a soldier, patriot, and leader of men.This book is a good read, it's historically accurate, and it is a valuable addition to the literature of both the Revolution and the Continental Army that won it.

Remarkable History Remarkably Told.

A better tale of daring exploits will be difficult to find, no matter if it's in the History section of the fiction section. Mr. Ketchum can really tell the story, especially when he has such great material to work with.This book gives you the feel for not just the battle but the campaign, the politics, and the impact that all the events at the end of 1775 had on all involved. It is hard for me to imagine that men can be so committed to a cause that they can withstand the hardships that they did. Mr. Ketchum gives you all that you need to understand this, feel this, and to almost live pure patriotism. A truely remarkable story what these men did, and all for generations that they did not know.Mr. Ketchum's writing is of the highest quality, never boring, and wonderfully instructive, without teaching or preaching. This is my 2nd of his books, and I am proud to say that I have his books. You cannot go wrong reading this book. You will be entertained and taught at the same time. Once again, I wish this was my text book at any level of education.Thank you sir for a great book. For all those who want a great historical read, this is the book. Read and enjoy!

Movingly told history of the Revolution?s darkest hours.

"The Winter Soldiers" is the second book about the American Revolution written by historian Richard M. Ketchum. I found it a compelling and often moving story of the darkest hours in America's war for independence, and the two battles - Trenton and Princeton - which reversed the American army's increasingly bleak fortunes in the second winter of the war.Ketchum traces the war's pivotal events in 1776 and early 1777. This is the time when General George Washington leads his dwindling army in a desperate attempt to hold off British advances in and around New York City; of the great American defeats at Long Island, and Forts Lee and Washington in New York; and the pursuit of the American army across New Jersey by the numerically superior and better equipped British army under General William Howe and Lord Cornwallis. It is also the time when the strategic and tactical skills, the iron will, and the sheer audacity of George Washington come to the forefront, resulting in the American army's crossing of the Delaware River on Christmas night 1776, and, against all odds, the astonishing American victories at Trenton and Princeton, New Jersey.As he did in his earlier book "Decisive Day," the author combines outstanding scholarship and a clear and concise writing style to create a powerful and often eloquent narrative of the events of 1776-1777. For readers of American history, this is a book not to be missed!

Read this book to understand the romance of patriotism

George Washington may not have heaved a silver dollar across the Potomac, but as Ketchum illustrates in "The Winter Soldiers", the General earned most of the other heroic tales and descriptions attached to his name: Father of our Country, the Indispensible Man, the glue who held the army together.This account of our revolution during its darkest and most forlorn hours is riveting and well researched. Ketchum brings to life the battles of Trenton and Princeton - which arguably were the most timely and important victories of the war. What fascinates, and underscores the pedestal we have built under Washington, is how much he shouldered the burdens of the cause alone -- and how he made critical and bold decisions that kept the flame of independence from burning out in the hearts of his countrymen.This is my second Ketchum book. I read Saratoga this past summer and also enjoyed it very much. Readers who like "Civil War" style writing with unit descriptions and first person sources from the soldiers who fought won't be disappointed. Read this book and you'll come away with a love and appreciation of the greatness of George Washington and an understanding of the heroic trials our forefathers undertook earning our liberties and independence.