Washington's Crossing

Jan 12, 2013 Frank Stein rated it 4 of 5 stars

A rare and impressive example of a modern academic doing military history, and doing it well.

Yet clearly part of the reason Fischer wrote this book was to provide a kind of on-the-ground justification for his earlier work of social and cultural history, "Albion's Seed," where he discovered four major "folkways" in America which he thought descended from four separate waves of migration. Sure enough, he finds similar divisions here, such as that between the "ordered liberty" of the New England re...more
A rare and impressive example of a modern academic doing military history, and doing it well.

Yet clearly part of the reason Fischer wrote this book was to provide a kind of on-the-ground justification for his earlier work of social and cultural history, "Albion's Seed," where he discovered four major "folkways" in America which he thought descended from four separate waves of migration. Sure enough, he finds similar divisions here, such as that between the "ordered liberty" of the New England regiments and the "levelling liberty" of the Pennsylvania Associators. Whats surprising perhaps is how convincingly he makes his case, describing how the Pennsylvanians, for example, elected their own officers and forbid sartorial displays of differing rank. He furthermore extends his social analysis to those on the British side like the fiercely independent Highland Foot regiments (one of whom fought a bloody battle in its own right to keep its kilts and tartans back in Scotland) and the infamous Hessians, who were sent over to the US as part of the Handelsoldieten (solider trade) in what some at the time called "the deal of the century" for the Landgrave of Hesse-Cassel, who received millions in gold for his troubles.

Fischer also demonstrates the world-historical consequences of these social and military confrontations along the Delaware river in late 1776 and early 1777. The defeat of the Hessians at the first battle of Trenton caused Europe, inspired especially by an anonymous pamphleteer who was probably Ben Franklin, to react against the mercenary trade and helped end it on the continent. On the other hand, Washington is portrayed as one of the first to understand how to create a new American order out of distinctive and differing visions of liberty, namely, through negotiation and tolerance. His command foreshadowed later government recognition of differences and compromise, yet kept the army united enough to achieve victory.

Overall though, the book is mainly a well-wrought military history, describing the lay of the land and dispositions of regiments and how they clashed in battle. I haven't read anything like it in awhile, but I'm certainly glad I read this one.

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Jan 12, 2013 Lisa (Harmonybites) rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Every American

Recommended to Lisa (Harmonybites) by: The Ultimate Reading List - History

Shelves: history, non-fiction, ultimate-reading-list

Less than two weeks ago I read David McCullough's 1776, a history of the first year of the Continental Army under George Washington, its mixed success in Boston and disaster in New York City and culminating--after a night crossing of the Delaware River--in their victory in the Battle of Trenton. It was an engaging, well-told story of such suffering and such blunders I left that book amazed the American Revolution, the army and cause survived to triumph. This book covers much of the same territor...more Less than two weeks ago I read David McCullough's 1776, a history of the first year of the Continental Army under George Washington, its mixed success in Boston and disaster in New York City and culminating--after a night crossing of the Delaware River--in their victory in the Battle of Trenton. It was an engaging, well-told story of such suffering and such blunders I left that book amazed the American Revolution, the army and cause survived to triumph. This book covers much of the same territory, with a particular focus on the crossing of the Delaware on Christmas of 1776, the ensuing Battle of Trenton and the Battle of Princeton less than a week later. The Editor's Note claims that: "No single day in history was more decisive for the creation of the United States than Christmas 1776. On that night a ragged army of 2,400 colonials crossed the ice-choked Delaware River from Pennsylvania to New York in the teeth of a nor'easter that lashed their boats and bodies with sleet and snow."

Given the overlap in material I thought this book was likely to suffer in comparison. That 1776 would likely make the stronger impression having been read first. McCullough is arguably the more engaging, more concise writer--but not only did Fischer have a different read, emphasis and details, but in the end Washington's Crossing is the stronger, more scholarly book, packed with notes, maps and illustrations. Although you'd have to enjoy not just history but military history. Fischer paints the crucial battles in a much more detailed way than McCullough did, not simply in terms of grand strategy but the more personal tragedies and individual casualties. And if McCullough's book arguably throws George Washington in sharper relief, Fischer is superb in depicting the various armies, their soldiers and officers. Fischer tells you of their training, their discipline, even about their drum calls. The British commanders, the brothers General and Admiral Howe, come across in a more complex, human way--the same is true of the Hessians and their officers. For one, Fischer explained that even in contemporary times, a British officer could say there was no British army--only a collection of "tribes" which is why the British army could never bring off a coup. You understand what that meant when Fischer details the very different customs and cultures of various regiments--the Scottish Highlanders going into battle in their kilts and determined not to let down their kin and clan fighting beside them. The Americans were varied as well. I had known blacks had served in the Revolutionary War--I hadn't known that in at least one Massachusetts regiment they served in integrated units--and that there were black officers, one of whom rose to the rank of colonel. The various folk ways of the different American regions, and the need to wield them together into a unified force that didn't conflict with the revolutionary ideals were a big part of the story.

I really liked 1776, and I'd recommend both books really. And probably 1776 with the more sweeping, less detailed overview is the one to read first. But if I were forced to choose only one book to read or keep on the bookshelf, it would be Washington's Crossing. I'd certainly be interested in reading more of Fischer in the future.(less)

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Feb 21, 2011 Matt rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Despite a great love of history, I’ve never been able to really connect to the American Revolution as a historical event. The reason, I think, is that the Revolutionary War is our creation myth. Like other creation myths, such as the Christmas Story (the one with Jesus, not the BB gun), historical veracity and the exact sequence of events is not as important as the fact that event happened at all. Rigorous analysis takes a backseat to emotional considerations. Objectivity is shrouded in the mist...more

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Oct 12, 2012 Richard rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

David Hackett Fischer has produced a highly readable and fact-filled account of the important battles of the Revolutionary War following the Declaration of Independence. This conflict required a young, self-made country to draw soldiers from among its colonies to go against the strongest army of the time without the knowledge of how or when the outcome would play out. I think the heart of the American War of independence was the people of all classes who joined regiments and went to war under so...more David Hackett Fischer has produced a highly readable and fact-filled account of the important battles of the Revolutionary War following the Declaration of Independence. This conflict required a young, self-made country to draw soldiers from among its colonies to go against the strongest army of the time without the knowledge of how or when the outcome would play out. I think the heart of the American War of independence was the people of all classes who joined regiments and went to war under sometimes terrible physical conditions, for pay, food and clothing which was meager when available, which was not often. The glue which held this together was the aristocratic George Washington, whose prior military experience several decades earlier in the French and Indian War was far from stellar. How all of this came together and led to ultimate victory is the driving force of the historical study of this war.

This story begins in the summer of 1776, after the new American commander, Washington, had driven the British from Boston. The Colonists were able to use the terrain around that city to make it unbearable for the occupying British to remain there. New York was a different story. General Howe landed a powerful army of British regulars and German "Hessians" on Staten Island. Washington's strategy quickly changed from stopping the invasion to moving his gradually disintegrating army from one disastrous defensive position to another. Fischer provides clear maps showing the defeats and retreats from Long Island to Harlem Heights to Fort Washington by Washington's army after being tactically outmaneuvered by the British Navy and Army.

Washington's only "successes" during these months consisted of brilliantly executed and lucky withdrawals of his forces while on the verge of being enveloped by the enemy on several occasions. After his retreat across New Jersey to Trenton, and then across the Delaware River to Pennsylvania, Washington was able to stop running, but most of his army was killed, captured or had deserted by then. The remnants were due to end their enlistments at the end of the year. It was entirely possible, by the winter of 1776, that the Revolution would run out of steam.

Washington made a daring plan to turn his fortunes around. He crossed the Delaware River during the evening of Christmas to attack the Hessian regiment which had taken up winter quarters in Trenton. He put his 2,400 men in boats and crossed the river at night in a strong ice and snow storm. Fischer's descriptions and maps show how the Americans were able to maneuver into position to defeat a force of professional soldiers. Not content to withdraw with his prisoners back to Pennsylvania and sit out the winter, Washington kept his forces in Trenton to face the British relief army of General Cornwallis at Trenton. The Americans skillfully withdrew back along the route the British marched from Princeton, and fought successfully against the British there. Unlike the two next disastrous winters when the American Army would almost starve and freeze to death in encampments, the 1776-77 winter would be spent by the Americans in New Jersey, carrying on a "forage war" of attacks which effectively kept the British main forces tied up in New York City until the following spring.

Fischer writes a history which describes one of the great military reversals of all time. The casual reader can find a wealth of interesting information in an enjoyable read, while the historian and scholar will be impressed by the depth of research used in writing the book. Fischer always, though, is focused on the General who was able to keep his army going under all challenges, and the people who he led. The American Army at this time could contain a collection of types such as: Virginia gentlemen, New England seamen, Scot immigrants, western frontiersmen, Pennsylvania and New Jersey farmers. Some were attired in their civilian clothing as part of militia regiments; some wore the uniforms of state regiments. Some were black (it is interesting that the novelty of a racially integrated army starting in 1948 was actually preceded by the Revolutionary War).

I didn't make up the preceding description of American types fighting with Washington. The list is actually from Fischer's critique of the iconic painting of "Washington's Crossing the Delaware" by Emanuel Leutze. This American treasure in the Metropolitan Museum of Art was actually painted to inspire the 1848 European revolutionary movements by the artist, who had returned to Germany from America. It is interesting that the original 1850 painting remained in Germany and was destroyed by the bombing of Bremen in World War II; the famous painting in the Met is an exact Leutze copy of the original dated 1851.

Fischer ends his book with an examination of the historiography of the contribution Washington made to the Revolution through his victories at Trenton I and II and Princeton. I enjoyed reading his descriptions of the differing historical interpretations of these events by the Romantic Historians, Whigs, Nationalists, Debunkers, Multiculturalists and others. This section is a mini education on historical method. Fischer's position on the subject is that you can assign any motives you want to Washington and the Patriots, but the only fair conclusion of the cause they fought for is that they were trying to build a country according to the highest principles.

Two discoveries concerning the human condition were being put to the test here, not in academia but in a war for survival. The first was the principle that a society could be organized on the basis of liberty and freedom, and it could actually work. The other concerned the capacity of humans for order and discipline. These Enlightenment altruisms, not necessarily compatible with each other, were at work in 1776, when Washington had to lead an army of individualists who came from different colonies representing different sectional interests, many of whom joined up to preserve the idea of American independence from vasalege to the Mother Country. Nevertheless, these individualists needed to be trained to subvert their will and talents to the service of others, and to accept the military system of punishment and reward used to drill soldiers.

A last note on the importance of Leutz's painting. Fischer is aware of the debunkers who have trashed this painting because it contains numerous historical inaccuracies. Even the American flag dominating the center of the painting is incorrect, since it was not adopted until the following year. Fischer, however, chose to use the painting on his book cover because it is the greatest visual symbol of the spirit of the times. Leutz correctly portrays a boatload of soldiers facing great odds. The atmosphere of high drama and feelings of desperation portrayed here were no doubt clearly felt by the small force who just faced five months of disastrous defeats and now were operating with a sense of urgency to attempt one more, high-risk try to save a movement that they had devoted their lives to. America's greatest generation? It could very well be that.

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Nov 22, 2008 David rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Almost everyone knows the famous painting of General Washington standing heroically in a shallow boat, surrounded by soldiers in a variety of garb including James Madison holding an American flag, crossing the ice-choked Delaware river. The painting, done by a German artist 75 years after the fact, is a pretty romanticized depiction of the event. But there's no debating the significance of what happened on that Christmas Day 1776. This book, which won the 2005 Pulitzer Prize for History, is a re...more

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Feb 18, 2008 Don rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Washington’s Crossing is one of those tomes that every American citizen should read. It’s very well paced with an inclusive narrative that places the reader squarely in the action. This book is so well written, I found myself under the mistaken impression that Fischer had actually interviewed the participants and their first generation relations. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. This is not only a good read for history buffs, it’s revealing of the subdural attitude, for better...more Washington’s Crossing is one of those tomes that every American citizen should read. It’s very well paced with an inclusive narrative that places the reader squarely in the action. This book is so well written, I found myself under the mistaken impression that Fischer had actually interviewed the participants and their first generation relations. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. This is not only a good read for history buffs, it’s revealing of the subdural attitude, for better and worse, sets us apart globally.

It is fascinating to learn under what circumstances my country won it’s freedom from a largely egomaniacal oppressor. For instance, I had no idea that our military was completely made up of volunteers with no formal training. I had no idea that each soldier was under contract and once that contract ended, they were free to walk off the field. I had no idea that there were disparate units of militia acting on their own initiative and that a grand plan was very hard to execute.

At the beginning of the Revolutionary War we truly sucked. England was rich with personnel and superior in every military sense. They enlisted the help of German troupes under a very lucrative contract. Both England and the Germans hated what the American Revolution stood for; democracy. We were driven and beaten back from the shores of New York to Pennsylvania and the situation was desperate. What seems to have saved us from ourselves were unbelievably bad weather conditions and an active disengagement from the rules of war. What I find most ironic is that we’ve become what we fought; a great and powerful nation that forcefully protects it’s global interest through highly organized and regimented military superiority. It worries me to think about a resourceful enemy besting us at our erstwhile game.

As I read this book, it was wintertime, albeit mild and sporadic, in Chicago. During the winter war of 1776-1777, our troops were walking through blinding snowstorms, walking through icy rivers, barely clothed and in many instances unshod. During this particular Chicago winter, I ride a foldable bicycle about a mile and a half from the train station to work. On particularly snowy days, the conditions are unfavorable for biking on the small wheels that deem my ride “portable” and I am given to walking. During by snowy walks, I couldn’t help but proudly and thankfully reflect on the tenacity of our forefathers while protected by my London Fog down and Dr. Martens.

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Mar 24, 2013 Miles Mathews rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Fischer's book is an excellent read! The author goes far beyond the usual recitation of myths to provide a well documented history of the events of 1776-1777. While the book naturally focuses on the American perspective, Fischer is careful to include the perspectives of both the British and Hessian forces as well. Often, these perspectives are given together, but Fischer skillfully demonstrates how these two allies often experienced the war differently and brought different skills and throught-p...more

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Mar 12, 2013 Zach rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

"Washington Crossing the Delaware" is more than just a famous painting hanging at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. As David Hackett Fischer masterfully portrays in this book, it was a pivotal turning point in the American War of Independence. Winning the Pulitzer Prize for History in 2005, this book describes the context of the event depicted in the painting, and why it was such an important event in American history.

Mr. Fischer's book will be loved among military history buffs. After starting th...more "Washington Crossing the Delaware" is more than just a famous painting hanging at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. As David Hackett Fischer masterfully portrays in this book, it was a pivotal turning point in the American War of Independence. Winning the Pulitzer Prize for History in 2005, this book describes the context of the event depicted in the painting, and why it was such an important event in American history.

Mr. Fischer's book will be loved among military history buffs. After starting the book with an analysis of Emanuel Leutze's painting, he delves into the details that describe each side of the war: The Regulars (British), The Hessians (Germans), and The Rebels (Americans). The details provided in the book for each side are remarkable. Uniforms are illustrated, the organization and weaponry of the armies are clearly described, and the professionalism of the British Army was worthy of admiration. Readers may discover new respect for each side in the Revolution after absorbing these details that may be normally glossed over in other texts on the subject.

While sometimes alluding to other events in the war, Mr. Fischer never takes his eye off the main storyline that set the tone for the Delaware Crossing. This storyline covers the New York and New Jersey campaign, which includes the Battle of Long Island and the Battle of Fort Washington before the crossing, and the Battle of Trenton, the Second Battle of Trenton, the Battle of Princeton, followed by the Forage War after the crossing. Mr. Fischer describes the battles leading up to the crossing in detail to give the reader a sense of public opinion and soldier morale at the time. With the plummeting morale among the Rebels, General Washington's desperation for a sweeping victory set the context for the Delaware Crossing and the following battles.

The actual crossing and subsequent march on Trenton is described in awesome detail. Mr. Fischer provides detailed maps showing the crossing points, and describes the numerous setbacks that almost derailed the entire operation. General Washington "watched his men struggling against the storm and ice and wondered if he should call it off." One can only wonder what course the war would have taken if this operation were added onto Washington's growing list of failures. The conditions that night were terrible. His plans fell hours behind schedule, and many of his unit's weapons were rendered wet and useless. To top it all off, a rogue regiment attacked Trenton hours earlier and put the Hessians on alert. What is illustrated as a glorious moment in American history by Emanuel Leutze was, in reality, a night plagued with many problems.

Despite these setbacks, the operation turned out to be a success. The public opinion took an immediate turn. A British resident in Virginia wrote: "The minds of the people are much altered. A few days ago they had given up the cause for lost. Their late successes have turned the scale and now they are all liberty mad again. Their Recruiting parties could not get a man (except he bought him from his master) no longer since than last week, and now the men are coming in by companies." The Commander-in-Chief of the British Army, General William Howe, recognized the importance of public opinion on the war. Mr. Fischer places a lot of emphasis on the country's mood at the time to reflect this.

The victory at Trenton served as a morale booster and led to a series of victories. The book covers the subsequent Second Battle of Trenton and the Battle of Princeton in deep detail. Maps for each battle are included, assisting the reader in creating a visual of the battles. Mr. Fischer writes, "Something fundamental had changed. The thoughts of British commanders were no longer about attacking but being attacked." Such was the impact of the Delaware Crossing on the war.

Mr. Fischer provides appendices at the end of the book with highly interesting information. These include the names of officers on both sides (even to include company-grade officers), strength estimates for the major battles in the campaign, casualty estimates, and even an interesting segment on women in the armies. There's even a day-by-day record of weather in the Delaware Valley, recorded by Phineas Pemberton, which includes weather on the morning of December 26, 1776 to be shown as "33 degrees" and "stormy with much rain." The information in these appendices is a treasure trove of information for history buffs looking to dig into the deep details of the New York and New Jersey campaign.

Finally, I noticed this text is often compared to David McCullough's "1776". Both are masterpieces worth reading, and I would even go so far as to say they complement each other. There is obviously some overlap, but "Washington's Crossing" goes into more details on the battles than "1776". Mr. McCullough briefly mentions the Second Battle of Trenton and the Battle of Princeton (since it's outside the scope of his book, namely, the year 1776), while Mr. Fischer goes into full detail of these two subsequent battles. Furthermore, "1776" details the Siege of Boston, which is absent from "Washington's Crossing." If you intend on reading just one, I would go with "1776" since it has more of a storytelling feel, and it doesn't delve into as much detail on battles that "casual" history-lovers may not put a priority on. But if you're interested in the time period, I highly recommended reading both: "1776" first to familiarize yourself with the campaign, and then "Washington's Crossing" to get another perspective, more detail, and to learn about the subsequent battles at Trenton and Princeton.

Mr. Fischer's book is well-deserving of the Pulitzer Prize for History, and if you've ever wondered why the Delaware Crossing was so monumental in American history, then I can't recommend this book enough.(less)

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Jan 05, 2013 David Bird rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is really two books: one a re-evaluation of the campaign that began with the American defeats in New York, and ended with the victories of Trenton and Princeton; the other a review of how those events have been depicted in history and art from their immediate aftermath through the twenty-first century.

Fischer is not averse to crediting great individuals--in the current instance great men--with outsize impact on history. Washington looms large, and much emphasis is given to his growth and d...more This is really two books: one a re-evaluation of the campaign that began with the American defeats in New York, and ended with the victories of Trenton and Princeton; the other a review of how those events have been depicted in history and art from their immediate aftermath through the twenty-first century.

Fischer is not averse to crediting great individuals--in the current instance great men--with outsize impact on history. Washington looms large, and much emphasis is given to his growth and development from the summer through the winter, as he first failed in a traditional way, then learned a novel method of command. His principal adversaries, General Howe and Cornwallis were masters within a very effective system, but that success made them slow to adapt to an opponent who changed after they thought they had his mark.

In this way, the key to Washington's greatness, as with Lincoln's fourscore and some odd years later (as portrayed in Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln and Lincoln and His Admirals), was not entering a difficult situation with previously acquired mastery but in the humility and strength to learn under duress. When one considers the popular media game of seeking weakness in slight inconsistencies as a supposed measure of character, one easily can suggest that our greatest presidents could not now be elected.

In the historiography and reception side, Fischer's tale is interesting, but not nearly as deep or thorough. To be fair, it is presented as an appendix. Yet he doesn't really like debunkers, and makes little effort to empathize with their motives. I would have liked to have seen more recognition that conservative repetition of founding myths is often just as ignorant a caricature as liberal debunking of them. I also wish that the publisher had sprung for color plates and larger reproductions. For those who have suffered at the hands of self-righteous contemporaries claiming the founders as their exclusive property, Grant Wood's painting is the best riposte.

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Oct 31, 2012 Douglas Audirsch rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I loved Fisher's "Paul Revere's Ride" so when I heard that his book, "Washington's Crossing" was even better, I was hooked. This book has a different feel and pace than the Revere one. Revere felt like the reader was in the midst of the action with individual characters from the story. Crossing felt like you were in the Generals quarters witnessing the strategy sessions and having a window on the decision-making behind the scenes. I thoroughly enjoyed the historic retelling, but also the review...more

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Aug 13, 2012 Brian Sweany rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Ever wonder how it is that you're not about to sit down for tea and crumpets, looking forward to your wife cooking you a dinner of stuffed cow intestines? Don't laugh. For as David Hackett Fischer's landmark book illustrates, the fledgling Continental Army (not to mention a few idiosyncratic bands of state militia) came perilously close to losing the War of Independence.

Joe Ellis, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of FOUNDING BROTHERS, heaped scores of praise on WASHINGTON'S CROSSING in the New York...more

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Jul 29, 2012 Ben rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobooks, history, pulitzer

Fisher starts off by using the famous painting of George Washington crossing the Delaware as a historical symbol of freedom, which perfectly sets up this book’s premise that the crossing of the Delaware and subsequent battles can be used as a microcosm of the revolutionary war, all while firmly staking out his ideological ground. The author clearly had a general audience in mind, and for that audience this would be an excellent book, but not for readers who prefer their history to be comprehensi...more

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Mar 24, 2012 Tweed Scott rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is a fabulous book! This Pulitzer Prize winner is a compelling book in that you will learn things about the condition and spirit of the people who lived through this trying era. Many times through the book I had the sense of being there as the events unfolded. The most remarkable thing for me was chronicling the growth of George Washington as a leader. As a battle commander he was defeated time & time again and was run out of NY by the British. After arriving in New Jersey he began to g...more

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Feb 04, 2010 ginny rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I've been lazy about reading lately and so I read a really bad, but easy to read, mystery to try and jump start the habit again. Ryan made fun of me and shamed me into reading something "worthwhile" next--which turned out to be one of his school books. "Washington's Crossing" is pretty hefty looking but HALF is composed of notes, bibliography, indices etc and should not be as intimidating as it looks. I love early American history so I gave it ago and had a lot of fun reading "Washington's Cross...more

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Apr 13, 2009 Ruby rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction

This non-fiction book won the Pulitzer Prize for history and I can see why. He recounts the early days of the Revolutionary War where the Union army suffered so many defeats until Washington had led his troops back across the Delaware and began fighting the war offensively.

Fischer had many good insights about what changed the momentum of the War, including many little known things such as a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine at the lowest point. The character and philosophies of the Nation was sti...more

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Jan 23, 2011 Bob Reed rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is a great story that is too long. The writer suffers from the historian's disease, which is to include too many details. Nevertheless, the story is a great story. It recounts a pivotal moment in America's history, the 6 month period from the end of 1776 to the early months of 1777, in which the fortunes of the Americans in the Revoluntionary War completely reversed. The events themselves are dramatic, filled with tiny twists of fate that assumed monumental importance -- e.g., a delayed res...more

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May 26, 2012 Theo Logos rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, history, american-colonial-early-republic

Washington's Crossing is at once both rich with detail and eminently readable, scholarly, yet approachable. 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 1776-77. He illustrates how this winter campaign of Washington's was much more than the small, symbolic victory that it h...more Washington's Crossing is at once both rich with detail and eminently readable, scholarly, yet approachable. 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 1776-77. He illustrates how this winter campaign of Washington's was much more than the small, symbolic victory that it has often been characterized as; that it in fact had a major impact on the war by destroying the Howe brother's strategy of ending the Revolution through conciliation, and reviving the spirits of the Americans to fight on.
Fischer begins with an examination of the make up of the Colonial army, with its wide sectional and cultural differences, and examines the daunting task Washington had in forging it into an effective fighting force capable of fighting the world's most professional and successful army. He then goes into some detail describing the make up and culture of the British army and the Hessian forces that the Americans faced, giving a context to the challenge. Washington emerges from his pages as a genius simply for being able to adapt to the situation at hand and create and lead what became the Continental Army.
Fischer is vividly descriptive in his portraits of Washington and his officers, the Howe brothers and their principle officers, and the commanders of the Hessian forces. In addition, he provides the perspectives of common soldiers from all the armies, private citizens, members of the Continental Congress, and Tom Paine, the Revolution's propagandist who was pivotal in the success of the winter campaign.
Washington's Crossing is rich in illustrations and contains adequate and readable maps. It has copious note, an excellent bibliography, and several fascinating and useful appendices that add many additional layers of information to the text.
I would rank this as one of the most informative, well-written, and fascinating books that I have ever read on the American Revolution, and I would consider it essential to a full understanding of the Revolution. Fischer has crafted a masterpiece that you cannot afford to miss. This book receives my highest recommendation.(less)

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Dec 02, 2008 Corey rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A fantastic review of a year in the Revolutionary War and some of the best writing on the military aspects of the battles, campaigns and strategies for both sides in the year 1776 and the war in general.

Like most history lovers, I think I have neglected the actual nuts and bolts of this war. So much has been written (and rightfully so) about the towering personalities and characters of the Founding Fathers, but often times the obstacles facing the milita and soldiers in the trenches battling eac...more A fantastic review of a year in the Revolutionary War and some of the best writing on the military aspects of the battles, campaigns and strategies for both sides in the year 1776 and the war in general.

Like most history lovers, I think I have neglected the actual nuts and bolts of this war. So much has been written (and rightfully so) about the towering personalities and characters of the Founding Fathers, but often times the obstacles facing the milita and soldiers in the trenches battling each other has been overlooked. This book is a great reminder of the sacrifices and sometimes absolutely bloody warfare that occurred. I think often we relegate those tales to the Civil War and the two World Wars, but one must remember the hard fighting and adverse conditions endured in the war that made us an entity.

The contrasting leadership styles implemented by the generals on both sides was intriguing as well. It seemed a bit stereotypical and simplistic to depict the aristocratic British leadership as opposed to Washington's more egalitarian style (seems a bit awkward to call Washington an egalitarian), but perhaps there is a nugget of truth in that stereotype.

Of course, even after saying that I enjoyed the depiction of the experiences of average troops, the standout of the story, as he always seems to be, is Washington. His presence and charisma are in this story again, but I thought it was a more human side of Washington that emerged. Quotations and shared memories of soldiers who fought under his leadership show him to be completely human and not devoid of passion or faults as he is so often made to be.

Finally, it is yet another fascinating example of what one so often stumbles upon when reading about our nation's past--that is, how close this nation came to never existing. Whether one reads about the dark days of 1776, the bickering in the generation following the Fathers, the conflicts over slavery in the mid 19th century, the obviously dangerous times of the Civil War or any other conflict after, one becomes utterly aware of just how precarious was our existence, especially at the start. (less)

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Feb 05, 2009 Bookmarks Magazine added it · review of another edition

Washington's Crossing moves from myth to history by offering a convincing corrective to Leutze's painting. (Washington really did stand in the boat, since it was filled with ankle-deep water, but the crossing occurred at night. Nor were the Hessians drunk.) By framing "the fog of war, the chaos and confusion" of the crossing within its largest context--that of America's revolutionary struggle--Fischer interprets this event as a strategic, rather than merely symbolic or psychological, triumph (Ne

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Jul 07, 2009 Karen Baerkircher rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I'm working on a branch of our family that came to Ohio around 1812 from New Jersey. When I started to learn about New Jersey history, the first thing I ran into was the American Revolution, a subject so vast that I was afraid it would take years to sift out the information I'm interested in. This book solved the problem.

It reads like a story, yet every fact is documented. There are historical drawings showing uniforms and encampments, and maps that show not only troop movements, but small towns...more

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Jan 21, 2008 Len rated it 4 of 5 stars

I read this book because I liked David McCullough's "1776" so much -- especially the fifteen pages or so when he describes the Battle of Trenton.

This book takes those fifteen pages and expands it to a couple hundred pages. The level of detail is extraordinary, and Fischer does this without sacrificing readability.

Political and military history buffs both will enjoy the book very much.

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Apr 19, 2009 Peri rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book is about more than just Washington crossing the Delaware to fight the battle of Trenton. It covers the events that lead up to this pivotal event, and effects of this important victory. It is very readable and enjoyable, and does make a great impression of what a massive accomplishment this was and how it impacted the psyche of the country.

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May 17, 2011 Sue rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: history

I really liked this book! It didn't just explain about the actual crossing of the Deleware, etc. It dug deep into the entire history of the war up to that point, about how it was really more of a civil war than just a war for independence, and how decisions on both sides, both good and bad, affected the entire campaign in New Jersey. Most important, it demonstrated how this period really began to turn the tide of both military fortune and public opinion regarding the war (on both sides of the Po...more

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Aug 26, 2009 Paul rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I know what you're thinking. A entire book on Washington crossing the Delaware River? How long did that take, 30 minutes? Well, the history of nations can change in less time than it takes an army to cross a river and, in this case, it certainly did.

This is a wonderful narrative by David Hackett Fischer, who details the saga of George Washington's army from the disaster of New York City to the amazing triumphs in the New Jersey/Pennsylvania campaign of late 1776 and early 1777. Along the way, we...more

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Sep 29, 2009 Diane rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Interesting history of the Revolutionary War period and George Washington's role. The author shows how Washington was a true hero, being resilient in the face of disappointments. The book also demonstrates that all of America's wars, beginning with the revolution, have begun as uphill struggles before the triumphs.

This book has a number of advantages, particularly the author's emphasis on how Enlightenment philosophy influenced the various participants in the revolution. This is the first book I...more

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Aug 21, 2012 Burt rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is an outstanding book. In my opinion, it should be mandatory reading for any American History 101 course at any college or university in the United States. In this country, one should not be able to graduate and claim to have earned a degree majoring in American history without having read this book. It is absolutely noteworthy in its research and documentation of same. Also noteworthy is the paucity of any author's editorializing, albeit there is a section at the end of the book where Fis...more

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May 18, 2012 Gary Hoggatt rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: all-non-fiction, favorites, history, american-revolution-era, history-bio-18th-century

I've 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. Much like David McCullough's fantastic 1776, Washington's Crossing focuses in on a narrow portion of the Revolutionary War and brings it to vivid life.

Washington's Crossing is devoted to an in-depth look at the New Jersey campaign of the winter of 1776-1777. However, Fischer doesn't just dump y...more I've 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. Much like David McCullough's fantastic 1776, Washington's Crossing focuses in on a narrow portion of the Revolutionary War and brings it to vivid life.

Washington's Crossing is devoted to an in-depth look at the New Jersey campaign of the winter of 1776-1777. However, Fischer doesn't just dump you into the icy Delaware River without some background. He starts off by examining each of the three armies involved, the American, British, and Hessian, looking at where they came from, how they viewed the Revolution, how they operated, and what their goals were. This section is extremely interesting, and did a lot to enhance my understandings of all sides.

The challenges Washington faced with Continental troops from all over the colonies and militia only vaguely under his command, the plans of British commanders Admiral and General Howe to pacify the countryside and aide the surely-numerous Loyalists in keeping the colonies under the King, and the economic and historical reasons Hessians became excellent mercenaries, and more - all of this was illuminating. Finally, Fischer gives an overview of the disastrous routing of the Continental Army during the New York campaign, which lead to the dire straights the Cause found itself in by November 1776.

Once he turns to the New Jersey campaign, Fischer breaks the action down into four main parts - the Battle of Trenton, the Battle of Assunpink Creek, the Battle of Princeton, and the Forage Wars. The Battle of Trenton, of course, is where the title of the book - and the famous painting - comes from, and was the initial shock that stunned the British and Hessians. Fischer does a great job of setting the scene for just how big a gamble this was for Washington. He also dispels the common myth about the Hessians being drunk on Christmas, as instead explaining how their openness to attack was a combination of fatigue from being on watch for days on end for militia who had been harassing them and an assumption that no one could be crazy enough to attack in the intense blizzard that, in fact, served the American purpose excellently by covering their approach.

My favorite part of the book, in fact, may be the part detailing the Battle of Assunpink Creek (also known as the Second Battle of Trenton). I hadn't even heard of this battle before. It was the British counterstrike after their loss at Trenton, and the Americans were forced into defending the indefensible city they had just taken from the Hessians days before. Through a combination of bravery from the men, ingenious generalship from Washington, and a willingness to fight the way that worked, instead of the way the British expected them to, the Americans not only won the battle, they were able to slip away from under the British's very noses in the middle of the night and make their way to Princeton, surprising the British once again with the American ability to show up where they weren't expected.

What followed was the Battle of Princeton, where the Americans ran into reinforcements headed to Trenton and defeated the British in a pitched battle on open field - a first. In less than two weeks, the Americans had run up several victories against the British, and rallied a Cause they seemed nearly dead only a month before. But they weren't done yet. The rest of the winter was consumed by the Forage War, in which the Americans - mostly militia - harassed the British in their winter quarters and while they attempted to supply their army from the countryside. By the spring of 1777, the British had gone from assuming the war was nearly over to, among some major leaders and many of the men, believing it could not be won.

Fischer covers all the bases in Washington's Crossing. He explains the motivations of the people and forces involved, he compellingly describes the battles with a novelist's flair, and he clearly lays out the effect the events of this book had on the Revolution as it continued. He really leaves no angle unexplored in this thorough effort, and is entertaining all the while.

One detail that aided the book greatly was the care given to the visual aspect of history. Maps of all the major encounters are plentiful, as are portraits of the major players, and they all appear in the text when the person is introduced, and not sequestered in a glossy break in the narrative midway though the pages of the book. This may not seem a big deal, but so many histories and biographies manage to mess it up that it's refreshing when it's handled well as it is in Washington's Crossing.

Finally, a comparison, since I mentioned it at the beginning, to David McCullough's 1776. There is certainly overlap between the two books. 1776 mainly covers between the Siege of Boston and the Battle of Princeton. It does so quite well, and is fantastic at covering the American side of the story. Washington's Crossing covers from the Battle of Long Island to the Forage Wars, and gives more attention to the British and Hessian side of the story than does 1776. Both are excellent and I recommend them to any fan of American history. If I had to pick one, it would probably be Washington's Crossing, by the narrowest of margins.

British General Lord Cornwallis, known to Americans as the loser at Yorktown in 1781, was also involved in the New Jersey campaign, and told Washington after Yorktown, "When the illustrious part that your Excellency has borne in this long and arduous contest becomes a matter of history, fame will gather your brightest laurels rather from the banks of the Delaware than from those of the Chesapeake." Cornwallis was right - as important as the later battles of the war were, Washington saved the Revolution with the Continental victories in the New Jersey campaign. Washington's Crossing will show you why.

I highly recommend David Hackett Fischer's Washington's Crossing to any fan of American or military history. Fishcer's work is compelling, thorough, well-researched, and most of all enjoyable. History fans will not be disappointed.(less)

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Apr 28, 2010 Don rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Begins with a description of the famous picture of GW in a boat crossing a river, but I had no idea what the event was part of. He was crossing the Delaware River to attack the Hessians on Xmas day. I was under the common mis-info that the Hessians were drun. Hackett deftly paints the story leading up when the colonists army was DOWN by 90%. With the turning point of this attach, the army went on the offensive and did some guerilla warfare -- appropo against a larger, well-disciplined foe. The a...more

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Aug 07, 2010 Kathy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I really liked this book, it was easy to get bogged down in the detail, but at the same time it was very interesting. Much of which I haven't heard, both on the American side and the British side. This would be a good book for history research. I loved his detailed discription of a painting of Washingington's Crossing which was an inspiration to him: It is n 1851 oil painting by Emanuel Leutze which celebrates Washington’s historic Christmas crossing of the icy Delaware River on his way for a su...more

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Dec 25, 2012 Geo Forman rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

How many think they know the story of the Crossing of the Delaware by Gen. Washington, even those who have read about it before? Other than the first couple of chapters where the author sets the stage by describing the participants, primarily British generals and Hessians along with attitudes in Europe, Fischer describes in glowing detail the events surrounding following that fateful Christmas night of 1776. The first battle of Trenton, by definition, was only the beginning of that winter's camp...more

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