Surviving the Winters

Housing Washington's Army During the American Revolution (Campaigns and Commanders Series, Book 72)

By: Steven Elliott

Narrated by: Marlin May

George Washington and his Continental Army braving the frigid winter at Valley Forge form an iconic image in the popular history of the American Revolution. Such winter camps, Steven Elliott tells us in Surviving the Winters, were also a critical factor in the waging and winning of the War of Independence. Exploring the inner workings of the Continental Army through the prism of its encampments, this book is the first to show how camp construction and administration played a crucial role in Patriot strategy during the war.

Washington’s troops spent only a few days a year in combat. The rest of the time, especially in the winter months, they were engaged in a different sort of battle—against the elements, unfriendly terrain, disease, and hunger. Victory in that more sustained struggle depended on a mastery of camp construction, logistics, and health and hygiene—the components that Elliott considers in his environmental, administrative, and operational investigation of the winter encampments at Middlebrook, Morristown, West Point, New Windsor, and Valley Forge. Beyond the encampments’ basic function of sheltering soldiers, his study reveals their importance as a key component of Washington’s Fabian strategy: stationed on secure, mountainous terrain close to New York, the camps allowed the Continental commander-in-chief to monitor the enemy but avoid direct engagement, thus neutralizing a numerically superior opponent while husbanding his own strength.

The book is published by University of Oklahoma Press. The audiobook is published by University Press Audiobooks.

“An essential read for anyone studying the Revolutionary War and for anyone with an interest in Eighteenth century military practice.” (New York Military Affairs Symposium, NYMAS)

“The text is clear and persuasive…. I recommend Surviving the Winters to any student of the Revolution." (Journal of America's Military Past)

©2021 University of Oklahoma Press (P)2023 Redwood Audiobooks

Makes you see the revolutionary war from a new perspective

Steven Elliott takes his readers on a journey that follows the events surrounding the winter camps / quarters of George Washington’s army. This books offers a glimpse at the soldiers’ experiences off the battlefield.

Evan's Review

If you like military history you will like this this. We all know about Valley Forge but this wasn't the worse winter the Coneneal Army had but it was a learning winter that the army learned through mistakes made to improve on future winters.