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

Outstanding book overall.

Great writing, excellent story telling, excellent narration (with the exception of Martha Washington) her reading is bland, it of sync, it just does not seem to fit, almost monotone. She sounds like she's "reading it".
Thankfully, there isn't much of that.
I really enjoyed all the of these in the series.

The Forging of America

Gingrich and Forstchen have produced a magnificent account of the winter of 1777-1778 at Valley Forge. It is not only the story of 12,000 men who entered Valley Forge demoralized, untrained, unsupplied but under the leadership of Washington and the shear force of will and skill of Generals Wayne, Lafaayette and Von Steuben that they marched out of Valley Forge aa a true army finally equipped with enough training, supplies and pride to take on the British.

Although generally familiar with the Valley Forge story, I was left with a sense of pride, awe and inspiration of what Washington and his men were able to accomplish. Gingrich and Forstchen have a way of making you feel like you are actually there - feeling the cold, snow and hunger. You can imagine the suffering even the healthy men endured let alone those who were injured or stricken with diseases.

Besides Washington, the other key characters are Lafayette, Baron Von Steuben and a ficitonal character Allen Van Dorn. Washington provided the leadership, Lafayette the heart and Von Steuben the knowledge for colonists to march out of Valley Forge as real army with a real chance to stand toe to toe with the British for the first time. Van Dorn is a colonist who joined the British army. Through his eyes, you can experience the decisions that the colonists had to make on who to support.

If you like history and historical novels you will love this book.

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.

Moving Historical Account of Americas Beginning Struggles

The American experience would not be complete without giving recognition to the devotion and suffering endured by volunteers in the Colonial Army .
This book captures that pain and suffering and puts the reader in a place where they can’t believe that something this terrible occurred within the borders of eastern Pennsylvania.
Only providence in the form of key players saved these patriots from defeat. Washington, Lafayette and Baron Von Stuben are just among a few.

Not recommended.

I really struggled with this book. The narrator was dry and monotone - with an added mispronunciation of words and names. And the horrible voice acting of the female characters - such as Martha Washington and Peggy Shippen. The story was ok but at times seemed more like a soap opera than a historical fictional piece. If you want to read about our Army and it’s leaders during the winter encampment, do not read this book.

Great book!

I really enjoyed this and highly recommend! It is a great story and historical presentation.

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

Not Overly Enjoyable to listen to

I may have liked this book more if I read it. At times I am not sure if it was the dialogue or the narration that was bad. Perhaps both. At times I wished for more detail regarding the historical events and at times I found myself struggling through the character interactions. The narrators attempt to provide the voice for all characters (female, male, those with accents) became difficult to listen to. There were sections that were enjoyable and entertaining, but there were few of those sections. I won’t be listening to any of the other novels in this series.

AMERICAN FREEDOM

I truly love books about America. This book was a joy to listen to during my drives to and back from work. It is cool to listen to the history of America and I can relate it to my love of our country. I cant wait to listen to another story of America.

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.