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Every year, the booksellers at Powell’s submit their Top Fives: their five favorite books that were released in 2023. It’s a list that, when put together, shows just how varied and interesting the book tastes of Powell’s booksellers are. I highly recommend digging into the recommendations — we would never lead you astray — but today...
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Customer Comments
Muhammad Ali Hasan has commented on (2) products
Valley Forge
by
Newt Gingrich, William R Forstchen
Muhammad Ali Hasan
, November 08, 2010
Newt Gingrich and William Forstchen have given us another gem of American History in writing Valley Forge, a sequel to their last book, To Try Men’s Souls. In writing the review below, I recommend all to read this book on the basis of its historical richness, told through narrative story, as well as its thematic commentary upon what makes America great. First off, the historical accuracy of this book is phenomenal, and quite frankly, I probably learned more in reading this book than most history books that tend to be three times in size. Historical characters like Moses Wheeler, Horatio Gates, and the great Marquis Lafayette, all occupy very important roles within American history, but few texts go to the lengths that Valley Forge does in noting their stories (for example, Wikipedia, at this moment, doesn’t even seem to have a page dedicated to Moses Wheeler, a blackmark for any website that claims superior, historical records). And while Gingrich and Forstchen have gone to meticulous lengths to stitch the story behind Valley Forge, the most important reason for reading this book is that it is deeply compelling. In particular, with regard to the theme, we become most engaged over the contrasting stories between Marquis Lafayette and Allen Van Dorn. While a Frenchman by birth, Lafayette is a real, historical character, a young man who studied under George Washington, eventually earning Washington’s trust and leading important groups of American soldiers. As described by Gingrich and Forstchen, Lafayette is haughty, anxious and overeager, yet his hunger to birth a country based on enforced freedoms gives him the courage that ultimately wins Washington’s trust. As the book unravels, it becomes clear to us that Lafayette feels more at home as an American than a Frenchman, with our own American troops asking him to stay beyond the end of the battle, in implementing the freedoms they hope to birth (and of special note, Lafayette did just that, ultimately earning American citizenship). Lafayette’s wonderful story is contrasted with a fictional character, Allen Van Dorn, who, while raised in America, decides to stay loyal to the English Crown. In wearing the British uniform and providing the British Armies with valuable insights, strategy, and prowess, it becomes clear to Van Dorn that, despite his skills, which are superior to most British soldiers, he will never be accepted as an equal. Perhaps the most beautiful line from the book is in the later chapters, where Van Dorn, in realizing the passion that the American soldiers have for freedom, looks at his own British brothers, particularly, his good friend, Andre, and senses hollowness, as narrated from the book: “[Van Dorn] looked at the men around him and wondered what exactly it was that they were fighting for. Andre spoke of adventure, a new campaign, and always the obsession all of them had for promotions, glory, and titles.” It is a sad note, at the book’s end, to see Van Dorn regret that he suited with an Army full of shallow intention, but more importantly, that Van Dorn missed out on the most pivotal consequence that the world’s history would ever note – the creation of the United States of America. ...and Van Dorn knows, his decision is a mistake that will haunt him into the hereafter. I recommend this great book to all!
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To Try Mens Souls
by
Newt Gingrich
Muhammad Ali Hasan
, September 18, 2009
In writing “To Try Men’s Souls,” authors Newt Gingrich and William Fortschen have done a masterful job of piecing together General George Washington’s Christmas day attack against the Hessians, accurately coordinating Washington’s narratives with his army’s movement, the historical time of day and the topographical challenges that were faced, as the Revolution pushed forward. For any fan of American history, the book will be a delight. However, my review is for those who will genuinely love a timeless story – the true essence of “To Try Men’s Souls.” First, all good stories carry a strong rollercoaster of emotions. In the book’s multi-narrative structure, we go from following General Washington, as he and his men slog through miles of mud and icy roads, suffering from a plethora of illnesses, to following Colonel Rall, a leader of the opposing Hessian forces, whose troops sit in the comfort of warm fires, large boots, and dry uniforms. Rall’s hatred towards America is documented in the story, as it is Washington who talks of the Hessians taking his American prisoners and humiliating them, with various public displays of horror. Thus, as our American forces finally close in on Trenton, where a hungover Hessian army awaits, sleepy from their Christmas Eve celebrations, our bloodlust is satisfied! We feast on the fainted Hessians, who are vigorously gunned down, their skulls crushed with the wood of our musket handles! More importantly, it is a strong emotional point, in empathizing with our American soldiers – after wading through freezing water, with no boots, no food, and spending the entire evening in sub-zero temperatures marching for the pursuit of freedom, our thoughts become that of pure animal – we want these Hessians to die. We feel it. Vengeance – an emotion difficult to capture, but one captured perfectly by Gingrich and Fortschen. However, let it be noted that our American forces quickly fed and took care of those Hessians that surrendered, with Washington and his men serving as good custodians at the battle’s completion, both in the book’s and history’s note. We are “Americans” after all, is what Washington tells the Hessian leaders, who are surprised at our American mercy. The second distinguishing feature of this book is the reminder of our true American soul. We sympathetically watch General Washington and his troops struggle in their horrific march, a path of “blood” trailing as Washington would say, as most of the American soldiers were barefoot, their feet dripping blood with each step from Pennsylvania to Trenton, a far cry from the nuclear missiles and aircraft carriers we boast today. In turn, the dramatic description of America’s earliest army, is reason enough to read this book. The third notable reason to read this book is that of Washington’s leadership. Now I would like to offer a special point of review – author Newt Gingrich, arguably, is the most accomplished Congressman who has ever served. Consider this fact – no modern American President, with the exception of George W. Bush, has ever seen his Party make gains in both the House and Senate, a feat that even President Ronald Reagan could not accomplish. By outlining the “Contract With America” and coordinating hundreds of Republican Congressional and Senatorial campaigns under one umbrella, Gingrich architected the most successful political victory of our times, capturing both the House and Senate and delivering his political promises as Speaker of the House. I bring this point up because, if anyone knows the psychology behind strong leadership, it is Newt Gingrich. With that said, “To Try Men’s Souls” beautifully shares Washington’s anecdotes on leadership, as he is constantly thinking of different ways to keep his troops motivated, despite the terrible obstacles ahead. At one point, Washington, with a group of men watching, is told that the storms ahead are too harsh and that the march to Trenton should be abandoned; without missing a beat, Washington quickly announces that the storm is a “blessing” from God that will further relax the Hessians, thus favoring his men’s chances in battle. Such sentiments are the type of leadership skills that can only be written by someone who has actually experienced the stress of high responsibility. Personally, my suspicions are that Gingrich is sharing with us his best lessons on leadership through the narrative of Washington – the psychology behind a true leader, as written by a distinguished leader. Lastly, I share with the readers the most beautiful line from the book, noting chapter fifteen, reflected by George Washington, as he looks at his exhausted, but victorious, soldiers: “This day had united them. No longer, at least for this moment, were they Virginians and Marylanders, men of Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and New York. They were comrades, united by the shared bond of blood, suffering, and, at last, this victory. They were the army of these United States of America…” To truly appreciate the paragraph above, the men whose feet bled from Pennsylvania to Trenton, in pursuit of not just a Hessian army, but a dream of liberty…to truly appreciate that paragraph above, one will have to read the entire book. Muhammad Ali Hasan September 17th, 2009 www.MuhammadAliHasan.com
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