Reviews for To Try Men's Souls: A Novel of George Washington and the Fight for American Freedom

The average rating for To Try Men's Souls: A Novel of George Washington and the Fight for American Freedom based on 2 reviews is 4.5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2010-08-06 00:00:00 Daniel Dobsinsky Holy "Wholly Unexpectedness, Batman!"...Newt has written an historical fiction novel...and it's Fan....tas....tic. Having not previously read any of the historical fiction novels by Newt Gingrich and William Forstchen (who I assume does much of the "in the trenches"work on this), I was very pleasantly stunned by how terrific this novel was. The story is engaging and very well written and it's clear that it was also painstakingly researched. Yet, despite the significant amount of historical detail included in the story, the authors do a wonderful job of never (or at least not often) bogging down the narrative with expositions that are overly long on wind. PLOT SUMMARY: The story concerns one of the most iconic moments in U.S. history; the crossing of the Delaware by George Washington on Christmas Day in 1776 prior to the Battle of Trenton. This was the battle that, more than any other, helped turn the tide of the Revolutionary War in favor of the upstart Americans. The lens through which the narrative of this momentous occasion unfolds alternates between three distinct characters: George Washington, Thomas Paine (who was in Pennsylvania creating "The American Crisis") and Jonathan Van Dorn, a young private in Washington's army. THOUGHTS: Unlike the majestic figure of Washington we see in the famous painting of "the Delaware Crossing," the Washington of this story is portrayed as brimming with doubt and uncertainty after suffering months of painful, humiliating defeats at the hands of the British army. Nonetheless, Washington's determination never wavers and his commitment to the fight at hand remains unshakeable. That continuing on and not faltering despite unimaginable hardships is what I found most compelling in this portrayal. In addition to General Washington, we see through the "far more human" eyes of Thomas Paine who has been working on The American Crisis in Philadelphia while battling the twin demons of alcohol and self doubt. Through the course of the story, we come to see Paine slowly awaken to an understanding that he has a vital role to play in the revolutionary cause by stirring the passions of the American people and keeping alive hope, that most fragile and necessary component, during these times that "Try Men's Souls." Finally, through Private Jonathan Van Dorn, we are given a first hand look at the staggeringly brutal conditions that Washington's army faces in preparing for the fateful crossing of the Delaware. More than anything else in the novel, it was these descriptions that broke through my calm "historical" detachment and sucked me into the narrative while I was reading. Soldiers suffering from malnourishment and rampant diseases (Dysentery, Cholera and others) marching mile after mile after mile after mile through frozen, snow covered ground (many with no shoes) only to cross (and eventually wade through) near frozen water in the dead of night to then battle with no rest a far superior force in the Hessian Army. As the authors describe in the afterwards, it is a battle that is almost impossible to imagine Washington winning and yet, against all odds, the battle was won and the tide of the Revolutionary War changed. It's the kind of moment you want to stand up and applaud after reading. I found this to be an incredibly, powerful and moving experience and also, (for the most part) an enjoyable read. There were some parts where the narrative gets bogged down and others that could certainly be called "slow" moments in relation to the faster, breath-stealing passages. However, overall it was excellent, truly excellent, historical fiction. I was duly impressed. 4.0 stars. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Review # 2 was written on 2012-10-13 00:00:00 Sandy Harper When I discovered a copy of this book tossed into a sale bin, I considered it no great risk to invest in it. After a cursory review of the jacket, I fully expected a well-researched setting for an interesting story. I got that and more. What I did not expect was that this reader, who is hyper-critical of construction and grammar and judgmental of a writer's craft, would find himself reading through tears, not once, not occasionally, but again and again as the story unfolded, revealing the deep devotion of a generation of young heroes the likes of whom are almost completely forgotten by this present generation. Gingrich not only developed characters who were sympathetic but managed to spin into them a presence and passion both attractive and inspiring, even as they would have never identified themselves as heroes on any field. I closed the back cover with a profound sense of pride and patriotism and a certain satisfaction for having participated in the sharing of this amazing story.