Mar 20, 2014 nearly eroticized depictions of washingtons body have continued in the new millennium. However, fischer doesnt just dump ive been reading a lot of american revolutionary history lately, and even so, david hackett fischers 2003 volume washingtons crossing, winner of the pulitzer prize for history, stands out as excellent. Washingtons crossing the delaware and the winter at. Six months after the declaration of independence, the american revolution was all but lost. Fischer s pulitzer prizewinning study of the american military campaign of 17761777. Here is the question i need to answer, and below is what i. Going by the standards and speed with which america is journeying on the tracks by adopting the modern materialistic civilization, it is supposed to be the most backward looking. Washingtons crossing finalist, national book awards 2004 for nonfiction. David hackett fisher s washington s crossing is possibly one of the best military history books ive ever read.
This 39page guide for george washingtons socks by elvira woodruff includes detailed chapter summaries and analysis covering 23 chapters, as well as several more indepth sections of expertwritten literary analysis. Also includes sites with a short overview, synopsis, book report, or summary of david hackett fischers washingtons crossing. Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans. A meticulous and brilliantly colored account of the period surrounding george washingtons famous sally across the delaware river in 1776. These are the details and human stories that make history come alive, and david hackett fishers book is filled with such accounts. David hackett fischer has written a remarkable book on one of the more important events of the american revolution. Washingtons crossing attempts to adjust our viewpoint of washington and his army. However, fischer doesnt just dump ive been reading a lot of american revolutionary history lately, and even so, david hackett fischer s 2003 volume washington s crossing, winner of the pulitzer prize for history, stands out as excellent. Liane hansen and historian david hackett fischer visit the banks of the delaware river to discuss washingtons triumphant december 1776 crossing and.
Full book notes and study guides sites like sparknotes with a washingtons crossing study guide or cliff notes. Washingtons crossing by david hackett fischer nook book. Ordinarily, washingtons marginalia had been made to correct typographical errors, but this was different. An entry in the publishers leatherbound library of military history, this handsome volume is bound in black leather with gold foilstamping on the covers and spine.
David hackett fischers richly textured narrative reveals the crucial role washingtons crossing played in the american revolution. Washingtons crossing by david hackett fischer goodreads. Attendees will learn the history of durham boats, including the role in washingtons historic crossings of the delaware river. A powerful british force had routed the americans at new york, occupied three colonies, and advanced within sight of philadelphia. Washington s crossing was published in 2004 and written by david hackett fischer, an author and professor at brandeis university. At the core of an impeccably researched, brilliantly executed military history is an analysis of george washingtons crossing of the delaware. George washington comes across as a true war hero and leader. His troops made a daring move, crossing the delaware river and winning two battles. The book is a work of historical nonfiction, and won the 2005.
This lesson includes an overview of their book and highlights of the story. Guided tours are offered on saturdays and sundays, weather permitting, at 10. Fischer writes easily readable prose but covers the period in great detail. Washington s crossing pivotal moments in american history. It is this symbol, this myth of american history, that fischer argues as the turning point for the psychological victory of the revolution, the morale of the.
Mccullough is arguably the more engaging, more concise writerbut not only did fischer have a different read, emphasis and details, but in the end washingtons crossing is the stronger, more scholarly book, packed with notes, maps and illustrations. George washington s secret six is a historical fiction written by brian kilmeade and don yaeger, released in 20. For the book by david hackett fischer, see washingtons crossing book. In his pulitzer prizewinning book, washingtons crossing, historian david hackett fischer uses emanuel leutzes highly romantic depiction of this famed event to reveal the gritty reality of the. Washingtons crossing by david hackett fischer and nelson. The book highlights how the startling success of washington and his compatriots not only saved the faltering american revolution, but helped to give it new meaning. I found his long appendex section on how washingtons crossing has been used as an icon at least as interesting as the history of the actual action. This is the only book in washingtons personal library in which his anger, in this case toward a former subordinate, comes through unfiltered. It is primarily about george washingtons leadership during the 1776 campaign of the american revolutionary war, culminating with george washingtons crossing of the delaware river and the subsequent campaign, with the battle of. Washingtons crossing is devoted to an indepth look at the new jersey campaign of the winter of 17761777. David hackett fischers new book, washingtons crossing, is a highly realistic and wonderfully readable narrative of the same moment that corrects all the inaccuracies in the leutze painting but preserves the overarching sense of drama. A powerful british force had routed the americans at new york, occupied three colonies and advanced within sight of philadelphia. Wall street journalfisher s thoughtful account describes how washington, in a frantic, desparate month, turned his collection of troops into a professional force, not by emulating europeans but by coming up with a model that was distinctly american. Things have changed dramatically since our revolution, and what people make of it now isnt accurate.
Sep 09, 2018 indiana university of pennsylvania anthropology professor ben ford will present a free public lecture on his recent discovery of an original durham boat on sunday, september 9 at 2 pm in the washington crossing historic park pa visitor center. Fischers pulitzer prizewinning study of the american military campaign of 17761777. Washington s crossing is at once both rich with detail and eminently readable, scholarly, yet approachable. This daring maneuver led to victory in the battle of trenton and altered the course of the war. In it, the author covers the period from which washington took control of the colonial army, through the disastrous, nearly fatal campaign in new york, to the battles of trenton, princeton, and finally the forage war skirmishes that rage through the end of the. In his pulitzer prizewinning book, washingtons crossing, historian david hackett fischer uses emanuel leutzes highly romantic depiction of this famed event. Nearly eroticized depictions of washingtons body have continued in the new millennium. Although youd have to enjoy not just history but military history. The grounds are open every day dawn to dusk for free selfguided tours. Determined to forge a new nation and throw off the shackles of british imperial rule, americans united and defeated a powerful, welltrained military. The book is part of the pivotal moments in american history. I found his long appendex section on how washington s crossing has been used as an icon at least as interesting as the history of the actual action. Washingtons crossing by david hackett fischer alibris. Washington s crossing is detailed account of the new jersey campaign of 17761777, specifically focusing on the battles of trenton and princeton.
Washingtons crossing the delaware and the winter at valley forge through primary sources. David hackett fischer s richly textured narrative reveals the crucial role washington s crossing played in the american revolution. It is a story of freedom, liberty, discipline, leadership, and perseverance. Washington s crossing is a pulitzer prizewinning book written by david hackett fischer and part of the pivotal moments in american history series. Washingtons crossing david hackett fischer, david hackett. David hackett fishers washingtons crossing is possibly one of the best military history books ive ever read. Rigorous analysis takes a backseat to emotional considerations. Washingtons crossing is the location of george washingtons crossing of the delaware river on the night of december 2526, 1776 in the american revolutionary war. If you enjoy good writing and accurate history, this book is for you. As david hackett fischers engaging washingtons crossing chronicles, by december 1776 washington realized that he needed to gain the initiative. For the famous painting, see washington crossing the delaware. Jan 19, 2018 washingtons copy is marked by extensive notes in the margins. This event has been the subject of a famous painting by emanuel leutze which has cast about. At the core of an impeccably researched, brilliantly executed military history is an analysis of george washington s crossing of the delaware river in december 1776 and the resulting destruction of the hessian garrison of trenton and defeat of a british brigade at princeton.
David hackett fischer, david hackett professor of history fischer, brandeis university, harmondsworth professor of american history and fellow david hackett fischer. Washingtons crossing frames the events of the winter of 17761777 during the american revolution. Washingtons crossing paperback david hackett fischer. Through the bleakest days of the revolution, washington continued to.
George washingtons crossing of the delaware river, which occurred on the night of december 2526, 1776, during the american revolutionary war, was the first move in a surprise attack organized by george washington against the hessian german mercenaries in service of the british forces in trenton, new jersey, on the morning of december 26. In the winter of 1776, the americans looked defeated. In it, the author covers the period from which washington took control of the colonial army, through the disastrous, nearly fatal campaign in new york, to the battles of trenton, princeton, and finally the forage war skirmishes that rage through the end of the winter of 177677. George washington lost ninety percent of his army and was driven across the delaware river.
Review of david hackett fischers washingtons crossing. Over the middle of the mantel, engravingwashington crossing the delaware. It was an engaging, welltold story of such suffering and such blunders i left that book amazed the american revolution, the army and cause survived to triumph. David hackett fischers, washington crossing, for example, notes washingtons muscular legs in the opening paragraph, and that he, at fortytwo, looked young, lean, and very fit at the time of his famous crossing of the delaware river. Washingtons crossing book by david hackett fischer 6. Washingtons crossing book king county library system. There s crazy george, standing up in the boat again. Washington s crossing is a story of a young nation forging its way toward independence. What remained of washingtons battered and demoralized army retreated to the western shore of the hudson river. Dec 01, 2003 washington s crossing is devoted to an indepth look at the new jersey campaign of the winter of 17761777. In david hackett fischers book washingtons crossing, he. The iconic painting of washington crossing the delaware is indeed a passionate image, but it is certainly stylized. Washingtons crossing quotes showing 15 of 5 until washington crossed the delaware, the triumph of the old order seemed inevitable.
At the core of an impeccably researched, brilliantly executed military history is an analysis of george washingtons crossing of the delaware river in december 1776 and the resulting destruction of the hessian garrison of trenton and defeat of a british brigade at princeton. Washingtons crossing is at once both rich with detail and eminently readable, scholarly, yet approachable. George washington lost ninety percent of his army and was driven acrossthe delaware river. It is primarily about george washington s leadership during the 1776 campaign of the american revolutionary war, culminating with george washington s crossing of the delaware river and the subsequent campaign, with the battle of trenton, the.
Fischer, university professor at brandeis university, demolishes several myths and misconceptions. On christmas night, washington and his army made a risky crossing of the frozen. David hackett fischer six months after the declaration of independence, the american revolution was all but lost. Washingtons crossing by david hackett fischer book report. The book highlights how the startling success of washington and his compatriots not only saved the faltering american revolution, but. Washingtons crossing is a story of a young nation forging its way toward independence. Crossing delancey describes and defends the oldworld charm. The meaning of the american revolution can be, and. In david hackett fischers book washingtons crossing, he paints a very detailed portrait of the events surrounding one of the most famous battles in american history, the crossing of the delaware river by george washington and the continental army. Washington and many others believed providence would favor the side with the greatest virtue, and washintons crossing is enough to make you a believer too, both in providence and the genius of washington, who repeatedly. Reviewed by steven martinovich by david hackett fischer oxford university press, 2004. A powerful british force had routed the americans at.
Indiana university of pennsylvania anthropology professor ben ford will present a free public lecture on his recent discovery of an original durham boat on sunday, september 9 at 2 pm in the washington crossing historic park pa visitor center. Washingtons crossing is the location of washingtons crossing of the delaware river on the night of december 2526, 1776 in the american revolutionary war. That 1776 would likely make the stronger impression having been read first. A meticulous and brilliantly colored account of the period surrounding george washington s famous sally across the delaware river in 1776. Washingtons crossing quotes by david hackett fischer. Immediately download the washingtons crossing summary, chapterbychapter analysis, book notes, essays, quotes, character descriptions, lesson plans, and more everything you need for studying or teaching washingtons crossing. This is the best history book of the last ten years. Dec 28, 2003 liane hansen and historian david hackett fischer visit the banks of the delaware river to discuss washington s triumphant december 1776 crossing and fischer s book on the subject. Washingtons copy is marked by extensive notes in the margins. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides for challenging works of literature. The site, a national historic landmark, is composed of state parks in washington crossing, new jersey, and washington. Crossing delancey by susan sandler introduction and thesis. Six months after independence, the american revolution was all but lost. Book summary six months after the declaration of independence, the american revolution was all but lost.
An entry in the publisher s leatherbound library of military history, this handsome volume is bound in black leather with gold foilstamping on the covers and spine. For the sonnet, see washington crossing the delaware sonnet. George washingtons crossing of the delaware river, which occurred on the night of december 2526, 1776, during the american revolutionary war, was the first move in a surprise attack organized by george washington against the hessian german mercenaries in service of the british forces in trenton, new jersey, on the morning of december 26 planned in partial. His analysis at the end of the book of this crucial period and of its importance not only at the time, but today as well, is brilliant. Wall street journalfishers thoughtful account describes how washington, in a frantic, desparate month, turned his collection of troops into a professional force, not by emulating europeans but by coming up with a model that was. A powerful british force had routed the americans at new york, occupied three colonies, and advanced. In washingtons crossing fischer discloses the true difference between what washington and his men fought for and what we now say they fought for. Washington and his army developed an american way of war, and a warethic that john adams called the policy of humanity. This study guide consists of approximately 26 pages of chapter summaries. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of george washington and what it means. About the author 2006 david hackett fischer is university professor at brandeis university, and the author of such acclaimed volumes as albion s seed, the great wave, paul revere s ride and liberty and freedom. George washingtons crossing of the delaware river wikipedia. Less than two weeks ago i read david mcculloughs 1776, a history of the first year of the continental army under george washington, its mixed success in boston and disaster in new york city and culminatingafter a night crossing of the delaware riverin their victory in the battle of trenton.
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