Victory at Yorktown

A Novel

By: Newt Gingrich, William R. Fortschen

Narrated by: William Dufris

Length: 12 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's Summary

New York Times best-selling authors Newt Gingrich's and William R. Forstchen's George Washington series continues - a novel about faith, leadership, and the triumph of the American cause. 

It is 1781, and Washington and his army have spent three years in a bitter stalemate, engaging in near constant skirmishing against the British. The enemy position in New York City is too strong, all approaches blocked by the Royal Navy. At last, two crucial reports reach Washington. The first is that the French have briefly committed a fleet to the American coast. The second is that British General Cornwallis, driven to distraction by protracted warfare in the Carolinas, has withdrawn into Yorktown. Washington decides to embark on one of the most audacious moves in American military history. He will force-march nearly his entire army south more than 300 miles, in complete secrecy, counting on a blockade of the Chesapeake Bay by the French navy, fall upon Cornwallis, and capture his entire force. It is a campaign laden with "ifs" but the stalemate must be broken, otherwise America, after six long years of war, will crumble. 

Sgt. Peter Wellsley must pave the way for the army, neutralizing any loyalists who might provide warning. On the other side, Allen Van Dorn receives reports from civilians that something is afoot and is tasked to find out what. As Wellsley moves to block any leaks, Van Dorn tries to penetrate the screen. When one of the former friends is captured, both must decide where their true loyalties lie during the heat of the Battle of Yorktown, as Washington’s professional army, once a "rabble in arms", executes the war’s most decisive contest. 

With Victory at Yorktown, critically acclaimed authors Newt Gingrich and William R. Forstchen have reached the pinnacle of their talents in a tour de force narrative of one of America's most important heroes. 

©2012 Newt Gingrich and William Forstchen (P)2012 Macmillan Audio

If only all Americans would find their way to this History

Thank you Both for writing history and for sharing with us characters that we have either forgotten or under appreciated.

Your history books deepen my American Pride.

And yes, appreciating the French like never before.

I am grateful for learning about the men that played on the stage of history. Their stories themselves are so remarkable, you can't make this stuff up. Thank you for teaching us about them in the manner and method in which you did.

Interesting, but disappointing

What made the experience of listening to Victory at Yorktown the most enjoyable?

It was an interesting aspect of history

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

A bit disappointing -- I would have liked more discussion of the negotiation process and results.

Which scene was your favorite?

Not sure

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No

Any additional comments?

I found this disappointing for a few reasons:
1) I've enjoyed the authors' "Active History" books (Civil War and WW II) and thought this was one. It's not so it initially looked like a history book with fictional interactions (like "Killer Angels"). However, the authors spent so much time on the stories of Peter and Alan that it ultimately seemed more like a historical fiction book. I enjoy that, but not what I was expecting.

2) The authors spent way too much time on the fictitious characters and too little time on other things -- the actual battle at Yorktown.

3) Most of the characters seemed stereotyped and they all have the same thought processes

Look else where

Poorly written prose. Story line is contrived and linear. Character development marginal. The history in it is the only saving grace.

Excellent telling of our country's beginning.

Every time I listen to this and the other 2 in the series I hear something new and learn something.

Difficult to follow at times.

I enjoyed this novel, but it was often difficult to follow. The old terminology / slang of the era confused me. and the unknown geography of which I'm sadly unfamiliar with also made it difficult to follow the story. but it certainly made me appreciate the history of The Bravery of these people. And it was infinitely interesting to try and understand their thinking during such a crisis in our history.

Good story....limited historical value.

The story that is told about two friends on supposing sides of the revolutionary war is set, vaguely in the context of the time leading up to the battle at Yorktown. There is very little, apart from the dates, that is historically accurate and I don’t hold that against the story because I don’t believe the author’s intent was to write a history book. Nonetheless, I think some of what is missing causes a sort of misleading history that under emphasized the luck and coincidence of what really happened.

In the end, this was a very enjoyable book and even squeezed a few tears at the end. Having served in the Army for five years i was really effected by the drawdown of the army and the breaking up of the band of brothers.

Masterfully told and captivating!

I thoroughly and fully enjoyed this book. History spoken so clearly it is as you are there witnessing the it for yourself. I highly recommend and will be sure to read all the other books by these two authors.

Great story.

Easy to listen to. Narrator was great. The story was very well written. Be sure to get the entire series.

excellent story, recommend entire series

poweful story told with compelling twists unknown I imagine to all but true historians. enjoy

Overly dramatic

Would have been better with less drama and not accurate history. Great story telling for middle school children.

For adults, the real story is much more enjoyable.