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Valley Forge: George Washington and the Crucible of Victory Audiobook
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(4.01) - 345 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
A riveting, personal look at one of our country's first heroes in the second captivating novel of the George Washington series by Newt Gingrich and William R. Forstchen, the New York Times bestselling authors of To Try Men's Souls It's the winter of 1777, a year after Washington's triumphant surprise attack on Trenton, and the battered, demoralized Continental Army retreats from Philadelphia. At Valley Forge, they discover that their requests for supplies have been ignored by Congress. With no other options, for weeks the army freezes under tents in the bitter cold. The men are on the point of collapse, while in Philadelphia the British live in luxury. In spite of the suffering, Washington endures, joined by a volunteer from Germany, Baron Friederich von Steuben. With precious little time, von Steuben begins recasting the army as a professional corps capable of facing the British head-on—something it has never accomplished before—in the process changing the course of history. Valley Forge is a compelling, painstakingly researched tour-de-force novel about survival, transformation, and rebirth. It chronicles the unique crucible of time and place where Washington and his army, against all odds, were forged into the force that would win a revolution and found the United States of America.
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"I have to admit I might be biased about this book. I think I found it so interesting because I live so close to almost every place mentioned in the story (opening battle scene is right down the road and Valley Forge itself is about 15 minutes away). I was afraid this was going to read like a text book but was pleasentaly surprised when it didn't. Gingrich and Forstchen key in on a few main characters and build the story around them and their "experiences" before, during and after Valley Forge. And don't let the name "Newt Gingrich" scare away any liberal minded people from reading it. In my opinion, it is purely a historical fiction piece that leaves you in awe of the men and women that fought in the Americal Revolutionary War."
— Sarah (4 out of 5 stars)
Valley Forge Listener Reviews
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" Again, this book is a great story. Gingrich does a great job of bringing out the human agony that took place in that Pennsylvania field. I loved it. I have a new respect for the humaness and leadership of George Washington. "
— Taylor, 2/1/2014 -
" A work of historical fiction which some people don't care for but it actually works for Valley Forge. No epic battles, no earth shaking events like Gettysburg, Valley Forge was important to the soldiers who fought the revolution. Describes the Continental Army's tranformation from rag-tag and desperate to disciplined fighting force. "
— David, 1/17/2014 -
" hard to get into, but makes you appreciate those who fought for our freedom!! "
— Jean, 1/4/2014 -
" I read this for book club. After having just finished a George Washington biography, I found this historical fiction novel a bit annoying. I've never been a historical fiction fan anyway. I'd rather read the real thing. "
— Sherry, 12/31/2013 -
" I don't read a lot of fiction but I really enjoyed this book. An easy read which included some facts about the Revolutionary War I didn't know. As with a lot of my reads I'm always struck by leaders and leadership. Examples in this book came from the unlikeliest of individuals. The authors take you from the lows of the encampment of Valley Forge to the highs of victory at Monmouth Junction. A fun read. "
— Tom, 12/23/2013 -
" A very good novel. The frequent use of 3 letter name of deity is not good. I question that the colonists even used it prevalently. The authors even point out in the discussion of the time that the patriots pretty much felt that the war would be won on the basis of their honoring the Lord. George Washington forbade profanity, so why would he use it himself, as the novel puts into his mouth? "
— Albert, 12/20/2013 -
" Amazing story personalized as a novel of early American history. I never knew what occurred in the historically famous Valley Forge. I had a hard time putting the book down. The detail and story line taught me a lot about the early leaders of this great nation. "
— Tom, 12/19/2013 -
" I could not put it down. This is the best book that I read all year. "
— Jim, 11/11/2013 -
" An eye-opening account of Washington's struggle to maintain the nation's army through a harsh winter with little support of any kind from congress. It is unbelievable to me what these men had to endure in order to survive! "
— Midge, 9/22/2013 -
" Full of historical information that I did not know from school history lessons. Enjoyed the story and the characters but the story bogged down some during the looooooooong descriptive passages about the battles. I had to speed read there! "
— Jglenn28, 6/6/2013 -
" Such a well written blend of facts and fiction, you'll feel like you're there and will be pressed to tell the real facts from the fictional accounts "
— Ron, 3/7/2013 -
" Great book. Anyone should read it. "
— Ajoynerrsa, 9/12/2012 -
" Well written, easy to follow. Hard to imagine what soldiers went through. "
— MeLisa, 8/6/2012 -
" Believe it or not, this was a page turner. Couldn't put it down. Their determination and will to win in spite of the circumstances gave me a renewed respect for Washington. Truly inspirational. "
— Linda, 9/11/2011 -
" Was very surprised at how much I enjoyed this historical fiction! "
— Sally, 5/18/2011 -
" hard to get into, but makes you appreciate those who fought for our freedom!! "
— Jean, 4/7/2011 -
" Believe it or not, this was a page turner. Couldn't put it down. Their determination and will to win in spite of the circumstances gave me a renewed respect for Washington. Truly inspirational. "
— Linda, 3/16/2011 -
" This was a great read. Don't be put off by any political biases you may have towards the author. If you are interested in the Revolutionary War period of colonial America, you should definitely check this out. "
— Rob, 2/2/2011 -
" Full of historical information that I did not know from school history lessons. Enjoyed the story and the characters but the story bogged down some during the looooooooong descriptive passages about the battles. I had to speed read there! "
— Jglenn28, 2/2/2011 -
" Never mind his politics, Newt writes a great hisyorical novel. He can bring history to life and makt meaningful in this day in age. Great insights as to the way it was 235 years ago. "
— John, 12/31/2010
About the Authors
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.
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.
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.
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.