Washington at Valley Forge

by Russell Freedman

Book Overview

Starvation, hypothermia, and the loss of all hope-- at Valley Forge, George Washington and his troops faced seemingly insurmountable obstacles. In overcoming them, they became legends.

In this comprehensive volume, Newbery Award-winning author Russell Freedman applies his renowned storytelling skills to examine a pivotal moment in the Revolutionary War-- one in which the nation's future leader would be greatly tested.

Camped twenty...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0823420698
• ISBN13: 9780823420698
• Release Date: December 2008
• Publisher: Holiday House
• Length: 80 Pages
• Weight: 1.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 10.5" x 9.3"
• Age Range: 10 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 5 and higher

Customer Reviews

Valley Forge

Great book on Valley Forge....

This is a fantastic, powerful and outstanding book about Washington and Valley Forge!

More than 11,000 Continental soldiers were weary, cold and hungry, but they persevered and continued to march on to Valley Forge, a place where they would encamp for a long, cold winter. Their commander, George Washington, had chosen this location because it would provide an area where they could defend themselves against the enemy. It was a place where men would become almost desperate from hunger and thirst. It was now the third year of the war and Washington "needed a winter camp where he could rest and reorganize his bedraggled Continentals, a place close enough to Philadelphia to maintain pressure on the British, yet far enough away to guard against surprise attacks." Even the horses began to perish, but Washington and his troops held on. "Secret enemies" plotted to damage his reputation and replace him. African Americans served in the regiments, hopeful that they would gain their freedom if they won the war, while their comrades hoped for "land bounties and monetary bonuses." All wanted to take part in the quest for liberty and justice. This "skeleton of an army" would build their camp and make it through the harsh winter. Even Martha Washington would travel to Valley Forge in February to join her husband and support him and the soldier's cause. The first hand accounts from men like Private Joseph Plumb Martin brought this book to life and gave it enough momentum to make this book a page turner. This book is liberally illustrated and their captions add even more tidbits of history to this fantastic book. The book has a map of Valley Forge, one of the battles of the mid-Atlantic states, a time line, excellent source notes, a bibliography and a thorough index. Books like these will spur young historians into wanting to read more and more books just like this one!