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To Try Men's Souls: A Novel of George Washington and the Fight for American Freedom Audiobook
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(4.23) - 26 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
After two bestselling series examining the Civil War and WWII, Newt Gingrich and William R. Forstchen have turned their sharp eye for detail on the Revolutionary War with To Try Men's Souls. The story follows three men with three very different roles to play in history: General George Washington, Thomas Paine, and Jonathan Van Dorn, a private in Washington's army. The action focuses on one of the most iconic events in American history: Washington crossing the Delaware. Unlike the bold, courageous General in Emanuel Leutze's painting, Washington is full of doubt on the night of December 25, 1776. After five months of defeat, morale is dangerously low. Each morning muster shows that hundreds have deserted in the night. While Washington prepares his weary troops for the attack on Trenton, Thomas Paine is in Philadelphia, overseeing the printing of his newest pamphlet, The Crisis. And Jonathan Van Dorn is about to bring the war to his own doorstep. In the heat of battle, he must decide between staying loyal to the cause and sparing his brother who has joined up with the British. Through the thoughts and private fears of these three men, Gingrich and Forstchen illuminate the darkest days of the Revolution. With detailed research and an incredible depth of military insight, To Try Men's Souls is a novel that provides a rare and personal perspective of the men who fought for, and founded the United States of America.
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"An excellent historical novel about the battle for Trenton, NJ when Washington crossed the Delaware River and surpirsed the British troops and won the battle. It was an interesting story which I recommend if you want to learn more about the Revolutionary war. It was fiction, but well researched. "
— Shaun (4 out of 5 stars)
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“This fictionalized account of the crossing of the Delaware River during the Revolutionary War goes way beyond the textbook versions. William Dufris, as the main narrator, traces the journeys of three very different men—George Washington, Thomas Paine, and Jonathon Van Dorn—portraying the distinct manner of each character.
— AudioFile -
Narrators William Dufris, Callista Gingrich, and Eric Conger are excellent in their conveying of emotion and accents, making us privy to these characters' thoughts and fears, their courage and determination.
— Library Journal
To Try Men's Souls Listener Reviews
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" I love this kind of book. I wish the language was calmer in some chapters. 1776 did not have that problem and I enjoyed it just as much. "
— Clcjudd, 5/15/2011 -
" Overall it was a good book. I thought the characters were fun and easy to follow. It gives you a perspective into what those that were in the revolutionary army may have gone through in those trying times. "
— Mike, 5/3/2011 -
" Great book, What these men endured to help ensure their freedom and ours today is unbelievable. Great read. "
— Scott, 3/29/2011 -
" I thought this was an excellent book. It gave you such insight to the tortures that those soldiers went through in order to fight their battle. I learned a lot about what living/fighting in those times must have been like. "
— Lisa, 3/9/2011 -
" VERY good book! Gave me a much better appreciation of what George Washington and the everyday soldiers of the American Revolution went through. "
— Lynda, 3/3/2011 -
" captures the very real drama of the times. "
— Rob, 2/2/2011 -
" Interesting telling of the history, but if felt a little slow/under-edited to me. "
— Nick, 12/23/2010 -
" Slightly disappointed in this one. Great if you are not familiar with the story but a bit boring if you are. Still would recommend it. "
— Scott, 12/14/2010 -
" Very quick and easy read giving a wonderful insight to the time and trails of a young country and army. Excellent book. "
— Melissa, 12/7/2010 -
" When I first searched for this one I typed in To Try Men's Soles"- get it? A lot of the men who fought with Washington ended up barefooted, therefore their soles were tried. Really the men there fought a hard battle and it was a miracle that the battle was won. Everyone should read this. "
— Pam, 12/6/2010 -
" I feel like this book paled in comparison to "1776". Even though it was interesting and well-written, I enjoyed "1776" more. It seemed like the book became melodramatic at times. I think it is hard to read a book about the same subject twice. Especially a war book. "
— Debbie, 11/29/2010 -
" Makes me feel GOOD to be an American, knowing it is men like the ones portrayed in this book that built this country and provided the foundation which our nation is stands Liberty and Freedom. I very much recommend this book. Good story, good history, good facts, and good characters. "
— Kyle, 9/17/2010
About the Authors
Newt Gingrich is a former Speaker of the US House of Representatives and 2012 presidential candidate. He is chairman of Gingrich 360, a multimedia production and consulting company based in Arlington, Virginia. He is also a Fox News contributor and author of forty-two books, including many New York Times bestsellers.
William Dufris attended the University of Southern Maine in Portland-Gorham before pursuing a career in voice work in London and then the United States. He has won more than twenty AudioFile Earphones Awards, was voted one of the Best Voices at the End of the Century by AudioFile magazine, and won the prestigious Audie Award in 2012 for best nonfiction narration. He lives with his family in Maine.
William R. Forstchen has a PhD from Purdue University with specializations in Military History and the History of Technology. He is a Faculty Fellow and Professor of History at Montreat College. He is the author of fifty books, including the New York Times bestselling John Matherson series, the Lost Regiment series, and the award-winning young adult novel We Look Like Men of War. He has also authored numerous short stories and articles about military history and military technology.
About the Narrators
William Dufris attended the University of Southern Maine in Portland-Gorham before pursuing a career in voice work in London and then the United States. He has won more than twenty AudioFile Earphones Awards, was voted one of the Best Voices at the End of the Century by AudioFile magazine, and won the prestigious Audie Award in 2012 for best nonfiction narration. He lives with his family in Maine.
Callista Gingrich is the president of Gingrich Productions, a performance and production company focusing on audio, video, and photographic production. She is married to Newt Gingrich.
Eric Conger is a stage actor, voice artist, and award-winning audiobook narrator. He has narrated more than 125 fiction and nonfiction audiobooks and was a four-time finalist for the Audie Award, both as a sole narrator in 2007 and 2008 and as part of a multicast reading in 2001 and 2012. He has earned numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards. His extensive voice-over work includes more than 5,000 narrations for commercial ventures. A graduate of Wesleyan University and the University of Paris, he also works as a writer and playwright. He has appeared in over fifty plays and has also translated plays of Molière and Feydeau for regional theaters.