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Washington's Crossing Audiobook
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(4.00) - 3,339 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Six months after the Declaration of Independence, the American Revolution was all but lost. A powerful British force had routed the Americans at New York, occupied three colonies, and advanced within sight of Philadelphia. Yet, as David Hackett Fischer recounts in this riveting history, George Washington--and many other Americans--refused to let the Revolution die. On Christmas night, as a howling nor'easter struck the Delaware Valley, he led his men across the river and attacked the exhausted Hessian garrison at Trenton, killing or capturing nearly a thousand men. A second battle of Trenton followed within days. The Americans held off a counterattack by Lord Cornwallis's best troops, then were almost trapped by the British force. Under cover of night, Washington's men stole behind the enemy and struck them again, defeating a brigade at Princeton. The British were badly shaken. In twelve weeks of winter fighting, their army suffered severe damage, their hold on New Jersey was broken, and their strategy was ruined. Fischer's richly textured narrative reveals the crucial role of contingency in these events. We see how the campaign unfolded in a sequence of difficult choices by many actors, from generals to civilians, on both sides. While British and German forces remained rigid and hierarchical, Americans evolved an open and flexible system that was fundamental to their success. The startling success of Washington and his compatriots not only saved the faltering American Revolution, but helped to give it new meaning.
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"This book paints an amazing picture of the revolutionary war. While George Washington is painted as sometimes painfully human, you end the book with a new kind of respect for who this man was and what he stood for. You also get a sense for just how unlikely victory was in our revolutionary war."
— Brian (4 out of 5 stars)
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“Fischer has devised a storytelling technique that combines old and new methods in a winning way…riveting.”
— New York Times -
“Nelson Runger’s performance is much in accord with Washington himself: controlled, authoritative, and clear.”
— AudioFile -
“Superb…History at its best, fascinating in its details, magisterial in its sweep.”
— Boston Globe -
“An impeccably researched, brilliantly executed military history…Fischer’s perceptive discussion of the strategic, operational, and tactical factors involved is by itself worth the book’s purchase…He demonstrates mastery of the character of the American, British, and Hessian armies.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review) -
“An eminent, readable historian, Fischer here delivers an outstanding analytical narrative…Fischer’s exhaustive research, right down to the Americans’ collection of supplies, captures the utter precariousness of the Americans’ situation. A must-read for military-history fans, Fischer’s work will also draw those who want to know more about the historical reality behind a celebrated image.”
— Booklist -
“This is Fischer’s strong suit: he tells stories and gives details that bring history alive…In the hands of such a thorough researcher and talented writer, this is powerful stuff.”
— School Library Journal -
“A lively reconstruction of the Continental Army’s finest strategic hour…A superb addition to the literature of the Revolution, by one of the best chroniclers in the business.”
— Kirkus Reviews
Awards
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A New York Times bestseller
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Winner of the 2005 Pulitzer Prize for History
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Winner of the 2005 Ambassador Book Award for American Studies
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A 2004 New York Times Book Review Top 10 Book of the Year
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A 2004 National Book Award Finalist
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A 2004 New York Times Book Review Notable Book
Washington's Crossing Listener Reviews
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" George Washington should have lost his army at least three times in the battles of Long Island, the retreat to Manhatten and then out of New York. He was out generaled, defeated but he kept the army intact and was able to recover and cross the delaware and defeat the British and the hessians soundly. Read tis book and you will, as I did, gain new respect for George Washington. A good read. "
— Bap, 2/18/2014 -
" Best history author ever. I look forward to more books from him. "
— Travis, 2/13/2014 -
" It's interesting to read a historian who is deliberately trying to undo the Howard Zinn tradition and go back to playing stars and stripes on every page. The problem is, I've become too cynical to buy it. Also, this was more about the war in general than Washington's crossing in particular, which gets relatively few pages. Sort of like watching Blair Witch and hoping it's mostly about the witch, and it's totally not. "
— Greg, 2/12/2014 -
" Really specific and detailed account of one of the most crucial times in the Revolutionary War. "
— Spenser, 2/8/2014 -
" Detailed story of the people and events leading up to the battle of Trenton. The pacing gets annoying at times, but overall a worthwhile read. "
— Brian, 2/3/2014 -
" One of the greatest books on the American Revolution that I've read. Fischer paints Washington as both man and hero, and contrasts leadership styles of the three armies who fought at Princeton and Trenton: the American, British and German Hessians. "
— Lora, 1/26/2014 -
" One of the best-written, best-documented, best researched books I've every read! I have fished for striped bass and shad in waters crossed by Washington in his purloined and borrowed bateaus. Highly recommend this book. "
— Shincrackerfarm, 1/25/2014 -
" Fascinating account. Fair amount of details but also brings in the big picture. "
— Ken, 1/14/2014 -
" Really detailed account of Trenton and Princeton battles. Great prospective of the Hessian forces. Really enjoyed the read. Great storyteller. "
— Ryan, 1/4/2014 -
" Great book and fascinating read. It reminds of how great Washington was as a man but also shows his imperfections but willingness to learn. And it reminds us of the greatness of America. "
— Buster, 11/2/2013 -
" I just could not get into this book. Pace was very slow and the detail was just too much to my taste. "
— Steve, 10/18/2013 -
" Good but not as good as I had hoped. There was a lot more about general RevWar leading up to than expected (good) but felt as if perhaps the last chapter or two was a bit rushed. "
— C.E., 6/15/2012 -
" David Fischer does an exceptional of capturing the complexity and uncertainty of one the most pivotal moments in American History. He conveys this historic moment with clarity and depth. It is as entertaining as academic Revolutionary American history gets. "
— Dave, 5/31/2012 -
" National Book Award winner and well deserved "
— Lori, 2/14/2012 -
" Great detail....I learned something on every page. The Battle of New Jersey is a little known but important facet of our history. "
— Rick, 8/17/2011 -
" Entertaining and insightful account of the Revolutionary War in its beginnings. "
— Rowdy, 8/7/2011 -
" This book was very informative. I learned a lot about the early battles of the American Revolution. "
— Faith, 6/21/2011 -
" Author uses a lot of recent sources. You also learn of the war from different perspectives including German and British. "
— Steve, 5/8/2011 -
" One of the "Pivotal Moments in American History" series. Absolutely fascinating, even if you don't find military history very engaging. "
— S, 4/17/2011 -
" Really specific and detailed account of one of the most crucial times in the Revolutionary War. "
— Spenser, 3/19/2011 -
" Great account of the British arriving in NY harbor and chasing Washington into NJ. Washington turns things around in NJ. Very interesting to read. Not your boring history text. It makes you want to go out and visit the places where the battles happened. Highly Recommended. "
— Martin, 2/12/2011 -
" A good study of one of two or three critical turning points in the Revolutionary War, but I think it was better covered, and better analyzed, in James Thomas Flexner's four-volume biography of Washington. "
— Mackay, 12/9/2010
About David Hackett Fischer
David Hackett Fischer is a university professor and Warren Professor of History emeritus at Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts. He is the author of numerous books, Washington’s Crossing, which won the 2005 Pulitzer Prize for History and was a finalist for the National Book Award. In 2015, he received the Pritzker Literature Award for Lifetime Achievement in Military Writing
About Nelson Runger
Nelson Runger’s voice has been recorded in dozens of audio productions and won him two AudioFile Earphones Awards. His ability to convey difficult, scholarly material with eloquence and ease has earned him critical acclaim, including an AudioFile Best Voice in Biography & History for his reading of Nixon and Kissinger.