Washingtons crossing by david hackett fischer alibris. In david hackett fischers book washingtons crossing, he. In it, the author covers the period from which washington took control of the colonial army, through the disastrous, nearly fatal campaign in new york, to the battles of trenton, princeton, and finally the forage war skirmishes that rage through the end of the winter of 177677. Liane hansen and historian david hackett fischer visit the banks of the delaware river to discuss washingtons triumphant december 1776 crossing and fischers book on the subject. An entry in the publisher s leatherbound library of military history, this handsome volume is bound in black leather with gold foilstamping on the covers and spine. The analysis is heavily dependent upon primary sources, specifically personal correspondence.
The meaning of the american revolution can be, and. Washington s crossing is detailed account of the new jersey campaign of 17761777, specifically focusing on the battles of trenton and princeton. Washingtons crossing of the delaware river, which occurred on the night of december 2526, 1776, during the american revolutionary war. In his pulitzer prizewinning book, washingtons crossing, historian david hackett fischer uses emanuel leutzes highly romantic depiction of this famed event. George washington comes across as a true war hero and leader. Little washingtons series by lillian elizabeth roy 1868 1932 read these books on the online bookshelf. Washington and his army developed an american way of war, and a warethic that john adams called the policy of humanity. Fischers pulitzer prizewinning study of the american military campaign of 17761777. Then on christmas night, george washington led his army across the delaware river and destroyed. I found his long appendex section on how washingtons crossing has been used as an icon at least as interesting as the history of the actual action.
Washington s crossing is a pulitzer prizewinning book written by david hackett fischer and part of the pivotal moments in american history series. Get premium, high resolution news photos at getty images. About the author 2006 david hackett fischer is university professor at brandeis university, and the author of such acclaimed volumes as albion s seed, the great wave, paul revere s ride and liberty and freedom. The book is part of the pivotal moments in american history. Washingtons crossing is devoted to an indepth look at the new jersey campaign of the winter of 17761777. Washingtons crossing is at once both rich with detail and eminently readable, scholarly, yet approachable. Washingtons crossing quotes showing 15 of 5 until washington crossed the delaware, the triumph of the old order seemed inevitable. The reality, however, was far different during the early days of the war. Washingtons crossing by david hackett fischer books on. A powerful british force had routed the americans at new york, occupied three colonies and advanced within sight of philadelphia. Fischer writes easily readable prose but covers the period in great detail. It is a story of freedom, liberty, discipline, leadership, and perseverance. Washingtons crossing is the location of george washingtons crossing of the delaware river on the night of december 2526, 1776 in the american revolutionary war.
A riveting analysis of the pivotal moment in history when george washington crossed the delaware and not only saved the american revolution, but gave it new meaning. Washingtons crossing pivotal moments in american history 9780195181593. Washington crossing the delaware by dec 25, 1776, the continental army under general george washington had suffered many defeats against the british as the americans were battling for freedom from england. Here is the question i need to answer, and below is what i. If there is a washingtons crossing sparknotes, shmoop guide, or cliff notes, you can find a link to each study guide below. George washingtons crossing of the delaware river, which occurred on the night of december 2526, 1776, during the american revolutionary war, was the first move in a surprise attack organized by george washington against the hessian german mercenaries in service of the british forces in trenton, new jersey, on the morning of december 26 planned in partial secrecy, washington led a. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read washingtons crossing. David hackett fischer six months after the declaration of independence, the american revolution was all but lost. Washingtons crossing book king county library system. Washington and many others believed providence would favor the side with the greatest virtue, and washintons crossing is enough to make you a believer too, both in providence and the genius of washington, who repeatedly understood and used coincidences.
Continue your study of george washington with these useful links. Wall street journalfishers thoughtful account describes how washington, in a frantic, desparate month, turned his collection of troops into a professional force, not by emulating europeans but by coming up with a model that was distinctly american. Washington s crossing was published in 2004 and written by david hackett fischer, an author and professor at brandeis university. His analysis at the end of the book of this crucial period and of its importance not only at the time, but today as well, is brilliant. Review of david hackett fischers washingtons crossing.
David hackett fischers new book, washingtons crossing, is a highly realistic and wonderfully readable narrative of the same moment that corrects all the inaccuracies in the leutze painting but preserves the overarching sense of drama. Rigorous analysis takes a backseat to emotional considerations. This event has been the subject of a famous painting by emanuel leutze which has cast about. Oct 07, 2011 these are the details and human stories that make history come alive, and david hackett fishers book is filled with such accounts. Nearly eroticized depictions of washingtons body have continued in the new millennium. Wall street journalfisher s thoughtful account describes how washington, in a frantic, desparate month, turned his collection of troops into a professional force, not by emulating europeans but by coming up with a model that was distinctly american. The washington s crossing is a race across the potomac river beginning when swimmers board a potomac riverboat water taxi and cruise to the western point of the river where alexandria, virginia, maryland and washington dc intersect at jones poinr. Washington crossing the delaware reading comprehension. This study guide consists of approximately 26 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of washington s crossing. Wood engraving after a painting 1851 by emanuel gottlieb leutze german american history painter, 1816 1868, published in 1882. A powerful british force had routed the americans at. Washingtons crossing finalist, national book awards 2004 for nonfiction. Washingtons crossing paperback david hackett fischer. In david hackett fischers book washingtons crossing, he paints a very detailed portrait of the events surrounding one of the most famous battles in american history, the crossing of the delaware river by george washington and the continental army.
Dec 01, 2003 washington s crossing is devoted to an indepth look at the new jersey campaign of the winter of 17761777. Over the middle of the mantel, engraving washington crossing the delaware. Washingtons crossing is the location of washingtons crossing of the delaware river on the night of december 2526, 1776 in the american revolutionary war. Nelson runger six months after america had declared its independence, the infant nation stood at the brink of defeat. Highlight, take notes, and search in the book in this edition, page numbers are just like the physical edition length. Reviewed by steven martinovich by david hackett fischer oxford university press, 2004. Enabled due to its large file size, this book may take longer to download. Titles this series presents early american history in a manner that impresses the young readers.
George washingtons crossing of the delaware river wikipedia. Dec 28, 2003 liane hansen and historian david hackett fischer visit the banks of the delaware river to discuss washington s triumphant december 1776 crossing and fischer s book on the subject. A meticulous and brilliantly colored account of the period surrounding george washingtons famous sally across the delaware river in 1776. David hackett fischers, washington crossing, for example, notes washingtons muscular legs in the opening paragraph, and that he, at fortytwo, looked young, lean, and very fit at the time of his famous crossing of the delaware river. David hackett fischer, david hackett professor of history fischer, brandeis university, harmondsworth professor of american history and fellow david hackett fischer. The site, a national historic landmark, is composed of state parks in washington crossing, new jersey, and washington crossing. Washingtons crossing is a superb effort that combines a winning and accessible narrative style with comprehensive research, turning the common and extraordinary people on both sides into real human beings. David hackett fischer recounts george washington s crossing of the delaware river as a pivotal moment that gave rise to a unique american way of war fundamental to the success of the war for independence. American artifacts george washingtons crossing reenactment. Fischer s pulitzer prizewinning study of the american military campaign of 17761777. Washingtons crossing by david hackett fischer goodreads. This study guide consists of approximately 26 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of washingtons crossing. At the core of an impeccably researched, brilliantly executed military history is an analysis of george washingtons crossing of the delaware. That 1776 would likely make the stronger impression having been read first.
General washington decided to try a daring strategy on the night of december 25 because a victory of some. This is the best history book of the last ten years. Washingtons crossing of the delaware was the first move in a surprise attack against the hessian forces at trenton, new jersey in the battle of trenton. Heroic images, such as emmanuel leutzes famed 1850 painting of george washington crossing the delaware river, merely reinforce the warm feelings of patriotism americans justifiably feel about the revolution. Washingtons crossing book by david hackett fischer 6. It is primarily about george washington s leadership during the 1776 campaign of the american revolutionary war, culminating with george washington s crossing of the delaware river and the subsequent campaign, with the battle of trenton, the. Washington s crossing is a story of a young nation forging its way toward independence. If there is a washington s crossing sparknotes, shmoop guide, or cliff notes, you can find a link to each study guide below. Mccullough is arguably the more engaging, more concise writerbut not only did fischer have a different read, emphasis and details, but in the end washingtons crossing is the stronger, more scholarly book, packed with notes. Because of george and martha washington parke, two young descendants of the famous general washington, these stories follow exactly the life of the great american, by means of playing.
The book is a work of historical nonfiction, and won the 2005. Mccullough is arguably the more engaging, more concise writerbut not only did fischer have a different read, emphasis and details, but in the end washingtons crossing is the stronger, more scholarly book, packed with notes, maps and illustrations. Washingtons crossing summary and analysis free book notes. Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans. The washingtons crossing is a race across the potomac river beginning when swimmers board a potomac riverboat water taxi and cruise to the western point of the river where alexandria, virginia, maryland and washington dc intersect at jones poinr. Washingtons crossing ebook written by david hackett fischer.
Washingtons crossing by david hackett fischer nook book. Washingtons crossing was published in 2004 and written by david hackett fischer, an author and professor at brandeis university. A powerful british force had routed the americans at new york, occupied three colonies, and advanced. Washingtons crossing david hackett fischer, david hackett. They had lost the city of new york along with other strategic locations. Despite that failing, washington s crossing is a superb effort that combines a winning and accessible narrative style with comprehensive research, turning the common and extraordinary people on both sides into real human beings. Washington s crossing pivotal moments in american history. It is this symbol, this myth of american history, that fischer argues as the turning point for the psychological victory of the revolution, the morale of the american troops locked. Feb 01, 2006 washingtons crossing ebook written by david hackett fischer. The iconic painting of washington crossing the delaware is indeed a passionate image, but it is certainly stylized. Washington s crossing of the delaware was the first move in a surprise attack against the hessian forces at trenton, new jersey in the battle of trenton.
Six months after the declaration of independence, the american revolution was all but lost. Washingtons crossing frames the events of the winter of 17761777 during the american revolution. George washingtons crossing of the delaware river, which occurred on the night of december 2526, 1776, during the american revolutionary war, was the first move in a surprise attack organized by george washington against the hessian german mercenaries in service of the british forces in trenton, new jersey, on the morning of december 26. Fischer crafts a stirring story that should remind americans of the price paid to create their unique nation and. However, fischer doesnt just dump ive been reading a lot of american revolutionary history lately, and even so, david hackett fischer s 2003 volume washington s crossing, winner of the pulitzer prize for history, stands out as excellent. This dramatic and colorful narrative of a pivotal moment in american historygeorge washington crossing the delawareis highly realistic and wonderfully readable the new york times book. Washingtons crossing quotes by david hackett fischer. A powerful british force had routed the americans at new york, occupied three colonies, and advanced within sight of philadelphia. Washingtons crossing audiobook on cassette, 2004 worldcat.
Fischer, university professor at brandeis university, demolishes several myths and misconceptions. If you are the publisher or author of this book and feel. Washingtons crossing is a pulitzer prizewinning book written by david hackett fischer and part of the pivotal moments in american history series. There s crazy george, standing up in the boat again. Washingtons crossing of the delaware river 1776 published. Six months after independence, the american revolution was all but lost. These are the details and human stories that make history come alive, and david hackett fishers book is filled with such accounts. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of george washington and what it means. Washingtons crossing is a story of a young nation forging its way toward independence. David hackett fischer has written a remarkable book on one of the more important events of the american revolution. A meticulous and brilliantly colored account of the period surrounding george washington s famous sally across the delaware river in 1776. See more ideas about washington crossing, art parody, delaware.
From there, jump in the river, and begin the race with a water start. The 2,400 soldiers led by washington successfully braved the icy and freezing. An entry in the publishers leatherbound library of military history, this handsome volume is bound in black leather with gold foilstamping on the covers and spine. Through the bleakest days of the revolution, washington continued to. The british and hessian armies arrived in new york harbor off staten island. Washington s crossing is at once both rich with detail and eminently readable, scholarly, yet approachable. This daring maneuver led to victory in the battle of trenton and altered the course of the war. However, fischer doesnt just dump ive been reading a lot of american revolutionary history lately, and even so, david hackett fischers 2003 volume washingtons crossing, winner of the pulitzer prize for history, stands out as excellent.
386 655 496 410 503 453 344 628 1511 844 408 484 358 1341 1144 448 993 1387 826 1445 1505 552 1583 1157 845 122 1197 1035 374 211 486 175 657 802 834 939 1463 XML HTML