Full Description
Published to coincide with the 250th anniversary, this sweeping narrative is an astute exploration of the five critical military events that changed the outcome of the Revolutionary war.
For eight grueling years, American and British military forces struggled in a bloody war over colonial independence. This conflict also ensnared Native American warriors and the armies and navies of France, Spain, the Dutch Republic, and several German principalities. From frozen Canada to tropical Florida and as far west as the Mississippi River, the Revolutionary War included hundreds of campaigns, battles, and skirmishes on land and sea in which soldiers and sailors fought and died for causes, crowns, and comrades.
In this masterful, yet accessible narrative of America's fight for liberty, John R. Maass identifies the five decisive events that secured independence for the 13 hard-pressed but determined colonies. These include not only the obvious military victories such as Trenton, Princeton, and Yorktown but also the leadership and reforms that ensured Washington's forces were capable of enduring the harsh conditions of the winter of 1778. Similarly, King Louis XVI's decision to supply Continental troops during the Saratoga Campaign with desperately needed soldiers, arms, money, and fleets is also detailed as a key factor.
These turning points, not all of them triumphs on the battlefield, delivered a victory for the new United States. By challenging conventional interpretations of what ensures victory in warfare, From Trenton to Yorktown offers a fresh perspective on the Revolutionary War.
Contents
Introduction
Ten Crucial Days: The Battles of Trenton and Princeton, 1776-77
Triumph in the Wilderness: The Saratoga Campaign, 1777
The Army's Reformation: The Winter at Valley Forge, 1777-78
Long, Bloody, and Severe: The Battle of Guildford Courthouse, 1781
The Definitive Capitulation: The Yorktown, Campaign 1781
Conclusion
Bibliography
Notes
Index
