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Title details for To Try Men's Souls by Newt Gingrich - Available

To Try Men's Souls

#1 in series

by Newt Gingrich
Albert S. Hanser
Audiobook
1 of 1 copy available
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1 of 1 copy available

After two bestselling series examining the Civil War and WWII, Newt Gingrich and William R. Forstchen have turned their sharp eye for detail on the Revolutionary War with To Try Men's Souls.

The story follows three men with three very different roles to play in history: General George Washington, Thomas Paine, and Jonathan Van Dorn, a private in Washington's army.
The action focuses on one of the most iconic events in American history: Washington crossing the Delaware. Unlike the bold, courageous General in Emanuel Leutze's painting, Washington is full of doubt on the night of December 25, 1776. After five months of defeat, morale is dangerously low. Each morning muster shows that hundreds have deserted in the night. While Washington prepares his weary troops for the attack on Trenton, Thomas Paine is in Philadelphia, overseeing the printing of his newest pamphlet, The Crisis. And Jonathan Van Dorn is about to bring the war to his own doorstep. In the heat of battle, he must decide between staying loyal to the cause and sparing his brother who has joined up with the British.
Through the thoughts and private fears of these three men, Gingrich and Forstchen illuminate the darkest days of the Revolution. With detailed research and an incredible depth of military insight, To Try Men's Souls is a novel that provides a rare and personal perspective of the men who fought for, and founded the United States of America.

  • Creators

  • Series

    George Washington

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    November 3, 2009

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9781427207760
      • File size: 359926 KB
      • Duration: 12:29:50

  • Languages

    • English

  • Reviews

    • Publisher's Weekly

      August 17, 2009
      After hacking their way through the Civil War and WWII, former House Speaker Gingrich and historian Forstchen take on the Revolutionary War with decidedly mixed results. Sharing narration duties are Thomas Paine, George Washington and Jonathan van Dorn, a young private in Washington's army. From Washington's crossing of the Delaware River to a daring night raid on the better-armed Hessians, the authors do a decent job of depicting the dire plight of the Continental Army, though the big chunks of backstory wedged into the narrative add little texture while slowing the pace dramatically. Historical cameos abound, and these, combined with the attention devoted to the gritty details of army life, help to offset Washington's acts of patriotic melodrama in what is surely to become another popular book for Gingrich and Forstchen.

    • AudioFile Magazine
      This fictionalized account of the crossing of the Delaware River during the Revolutionary War goes way beyond the textbook versions. William Dufris, as the main narrator, traces the journeys of three very different men--George Washington, Thomas Paine, and Jonathon Van Dorn--portraying the distinct manner of each character. Callista Gingrich voices the dialogue of the female characters. Since they are so few, her contributions disrupt the rhythm of the story. Eric Conger is tasked with reading Thomas Paine's "The Crisis," a work that expresses the theme of this novel. In his composed, strong voice, he ties the iconic events of the story back to the immortal words that inspired a fledgling nation. A bonus interview with the authors describes their interest in this time period and gives a hint about their next project. E.N. (c) AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine
    • Library Journal

      Starred review from February 1, 2010
      Former Speaker of the House Gingrich and Forstchen follow up their "New York Times" best-selling "Civil War" and "Pacific War" alternate history titles with this new series starter set during the Revolutionary War and told from the fascinating perspectives of George Washington, Thomas Paine, and Jonathan Van Dorn, a private in Washington's army. Narrators William Dufris, Callista Gingrich, and Eric Conger are excellent in their conveying of emotion and accents, making us privy to these characters' thoughts and fears, their courage and determination. Highly recommended. [The Thomas Dunne hc also received a starred review, "LJ" 10/1/09.Ed.]Scott R. DiMarco, Mansfield Univ. of Pennsylvania Lib.

      Copyright 2010 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

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