Forge

The Seeds of America Trilogy, Book 2

By: Laurie Halse Anderson

Narrated by: James Fouhey

Length: 7 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

For many, Forge "will be one of the best novels they have ever read" (starred review from Kirkus Reviews)!

Blistering winds. Bitter cold. And the hope of a new future. In this compelling sequel to Chains, a National Book Award finalist and winner of the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction, acclaimed author Laurie Halse Anderson shifts perspective from Isabel to Curzon and brings to the table the tale of what it takes for runaway slaves to forge their own paths in a world of obstacles - and in the midst of the American Revolution. 

The Patriot Army was shaped and strengthened by the desperate circumstances of the Valley Forge winter. This is where Curzon the boy becomes Curzon the young man. In addition to the hardships of soldiering, he lives with the fear of discovery, for he is an escaped slave passing for free. And then there is Isabel, who is also at Valley Forge - against her will. She and Curzon have to sort out the tangled threads of their friendship while figuring out what stands between the two of them and true freedom. 

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2011 Laurie Halse Anderson (P)2020 Listening Library

One of the most historical books i have ever read.

The Performance is incredible very accurate to real-life back in 1776. The story is pretty great and could be better but still outstanding, It's hard to find historical books like this in real life. Overall 9/10.- My opinion.

Listen to Forge

I am a big fan of Laurie Halse Anderson's historical fiction. She takes great care to get the details right, the characters deep and the primary source material accessible. Forge is the second book in a trilogy, but it can be read alone (you will want to go back and read Chains, though, because it is so good). I love Chains, the first book. Forge is different but also so good. There were parts of this story that were jaw dropping and kept me eager to get to my next listening session. There was a slight lul on the middle section but not enough to cause me to lose interest, yet I wish that particular part of history, the winter at Valley Forge soldier encampment, was delved into more by Anderson. Anderson is so good at showing that part of history, the human suffering; I was a little suprised that part was not as graphic as I have expected from her. In addition, there are some articulations on race that I am not sure would have happened in the 18th Century in quite the way they are expressed in the book, but in any case Anderson shows how these themes were a struggle even at the start of our nation and the hypocrisy of some of our founding principles. The horrible justifications of slavery, the dehumanization and gut wrenching behavior of enslavers, come to life in this story. This is exactly why Chains and Forge are so good. They expose. The story also shows the deep comradery that develops among soldiers so well, battle action is detailed in unique ways and the plot lines of Chains are continued and enriched. I cant wait to read the final book, Ashes.