Valley Forge

A Novel

By: Newt Gingrich, William R. Forstchen

Narrated by: William Dufris, Callista Gingrich

Length: 18 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

In To Try Men's Souls, Newt Gingrich and William R. Forstchen cast a new light on the year 1776 and the man who would become the father of our nation, George Washington.

Valley Forge picks up the narrative a year after Washington’s triumphant surprise attack on Trenton, and much has changed since then. It’s the winter of 1777, and Washington’s battered, demoralized army retreats from Philadelphia. Arriving at Valley Forge, they discover that their repeated requests for a stockpile of food, winter clothing, and building tools have been ignored by Congress.

With no other options available, the men settle down for a season of agony. For weeks, the dwindling army lives under tents in the bitter cold. Food runs out. The men are on the point of collapse, while in Philadelphia the British, joined by Allen van Dorn, the Loyalist brother of the dead patriot, Jonathan van Dorn, live in luxury.

In spite of the suffering and deceit, Washington endures all, joined at last by a volunteer from Germany, Baron von Steuben. Von Steuben begins the hard task of recasting the army as a professional fighting force capable of facing the British head-on - something it has never accomplished before - and in the process he will change the course of history.

Valley Forge is a tour-de-force about endurance, survival, transformation, and rebirth. Washington and his Continental Army, against all odds, will be forged into a fighting force that will win a revolution.

©2010 Newt Gingrich and William R. Forstchen (P)2010 Macmillan Audio

captivating and eye opening

loved hearing about the trials and determination at valley forge and how through the fire(or ice) we built a foundation for victory and freedom

Eye Opening

This is a great story intertwining fictional and non-fictional events. An eye opening insight to events that gives the reader a different aspect of history. A look into the Declaration of Independence and ensuing events as few have.

A+++

A terrific book! The narration brings the pages to life. Goose bumps and nervous anticipation leave you on the edge of your seat wanting to hear more, faster. It’s a wonderful distraction from everyday whatever. Download it to your smartphone, put on your slippers, and close the study door. Like “To Try Men’s Souls”, this book teaches you the history you may have missed growing up. At the end of the audible you’ll be filled with pride and very proud to be an American! What a great nation we live in, what a rich history we have.

Callista Gingrich is horrible

I'm sorry for William Dufris who did a great job narrating. Callista Gingrich is amateurish at best. She is painful to listen to and puts me in mind of a kindergarten teacher reading to me.

Fabulous book and great storytelling

I had not know the details of Valley Forge all that well. This book not only illuminated the facts it was a personal story of the major and everyday characters of the day. Higley recommend

Excellent book

Great book, we’ll researched and superbly written.
Don’t understand why sometimes a woman reads for Martha Washington and other times does not - that’s kinda weird. But otherwise, great book!

Couldn't put it down!

A well researched, excellently told narrative about the Greatest American. The narrator was fabulous, especially in delivering different voices and conveying so many different personalities and emotions. My only complaint is Calista Gingrinch, who always sounds like an AI robot and was a terrible choice to play Martha against such a capable narrator playing G Washington.

Great book, I've heard better performances.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, very good history mixed with good fiction.

What did you like best about this story?

The history

Which character – as performed by William Dufris and Callista Gingrich – was your favorite?

General VonSteuben

If you could take any character from Valley Forge out to dinner, who would it be and why?

General VonSteuben because he knew how to have a good time.

I loved this book!!! The very best in the series!

My dad used to say to us when my 3 brothers and I were growing up, 'What do they teach you in school? I can't believe you don't know your US history'! Well, he was right! I learned so much from this book and loved it! The story was so engaging, the narration spot on and I literally cried at the end. So very good! You will do yourself and your noggin a favor by listening, enjoying and enriching yourself!

Should be required reading in schools.

I absolutely loved this book. I wish it could be required reading or listening to students in high school. It would put them right in the middle of what happened during that time and perhaps help them understand what made this country great. Instead if destroying paintings of Washington, they would come to understand just how great this man was. The character of Vin Steuben was portrayed so well, I was very entertained and want to learn more about him. Thanks Newt and William. Currently finishing Yorktown.