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Overview
George Washington wrote an astonishing number of letters, both personal and professional. The majority—about 140,000 documents—are from his years as commander in chief during the Revolutionary War, from 1775 to 1783. This Glorious Struggle presents a selection of Washington's most important and interesting letters from that time, including many that have never been published.
Washington's lively and often surprisingly candid notes to his wife and family, friends, Congress, fellow soldiers—and even the enemy—chronicle his most critical tactical and strategic decisions, while offering a rare glimpse of the extremes of depression and exultation into which he was cast by the fortunes of war. The letters are arranged chronologically and give a dramatic sense of the major phases of the war, from Boston, Trenton, and Valley Forge, to Monmouth and Yorktown.
The more personal missives show us a Washington who worried about his wife's well-being and who appreciated a good joke and a well-laid table, not to mention the company of the ladies.
This Glorious Struggle brings Washington to vivid life, offering a fresh and intimate sense of this most towering American figure and the critical role he played in the creation of our country.
Synopsis
George Washington wrote an astonishing number of letters, both personal and professional. The majority—about 140,000 documents—are from his years as commander in chief during the Revolutionary War, from 1775 to 1783. This Glorious Struggle presents a selection of Washington's most important and interesting letters from that time, including many that have never been published. Washington's lively and often surprisingly candid notes to his wife and family, friends, Congress, fellow soldiers—and even the enemy—chronicle his most critical tactical and strategic decisions, while offering a rare glimpse of the extremes of depression and exultation into which he was cast by the fortunes of war. The letters are arranged chronologically and give a dramatic sense of the major phases of the war, from Boston, Trenton, and Valley Forge, to Monmouth and Yorktown. The more personal missives show us a Washington who worried about his wife's well-being and who appreciated a good joke and a well-laid table, not to mention the company of the ladies. This Glorious Struggle brings Washington to vivid life, offering a fresh and intimate sense of this most towering American figure and the critical role he played in the creation of our country.Editorials
Library Journal
This selection of General Washington's letters constantly reminds us that the course of the American Revolution need not have gone as it did and that when "history" happens, there's no knowing how it will turn out: Benedict Arnold's treason might have succeeded in delivering West Point to the British, for instance, and Washington might have been replaced as commander. But reading here, you come to understand why the Colonies prevailed and why Washington achieved his semi-legendary stature. These letters, mostly to prominent military and political figures, reveal Washington's skill as a soldier, diplomat, and politician. Lengel (assoc. editor, Washington Papers Project) provides a brief note for each selection, giving its context as needed. The letters themselves cover a variety of subjects, such as details of enemy troop movements, views of French grand strategy in North America, propaganda intended to find its way into print, general orders, exhortations to the troops, and private ruminations. Lengel stresses that his book is by no means exhaustive. Nevertheless, his choices are superb, covering the highlights of Washington's Revolutionary tenure while illustrating his extraordinary personality. Although many academic libraries that own the comprehensive volumes of Washington's papers may opt not to buy this abbreviated offering, it is recommended for those without the series and for public libraries.
—Richard Fraser
Boston Globe
“Man of destiny and hands-on commander, this is the Washington revealed in the extraordinary collection of letters assembled -- with excellent context-setting notes, and the original spelling and style -- by University of Virginia professor Lengel”Booklist
Lengel’s selection permits readers to trace the Revolutionary War as Washington experienced it.
Journal of Military History
[This Glorious Struggle] is a history of the war at first hand by its most important participant, presented by a scholar who is both an expert on the subject and a master of his craft.
The Boston Globe
Man of destiny and hands-on commander, this is the Washington revealed in the extraordinary collection of letters written, and general orders issued, during the Revolutionary War, and assembled—with excellent context-setting notes, and the original spelling and style—in This Glorious Struggle, by University of Virginia professor Edward G. Lengel.... The documents stand as the raw material of history. But they also offer, in the flirtatious notes to female admirers and the ruffled-feathers communications to British commanders, a very personal portrait.