Washington's Secret War: The Hidden History of Valley Forge

Publishers Weekly

Fleming enhances his position as a leading general-audience historian of the American Revolution in this convincing argument for the importance of internal diplomacy in the conflict's development. Like David McCullough's 1776, Fleming's volume depicts Valley Forge as the revolution's turning point, with the fulcrum being George Washington's ability to develop "a new kind of leadership" that combined military and political elements. Recognizing the limited applicability of European precedents in the new republic, Washington simultaneously had to revitalize an army on the point of collapse and energize a Continental Congress ignorant of how to conduct a war. He performed both feats while maintaining both his authority as commander-in-chief and the principle of military subordination to political authority. And, all the while, he managed to keep the British believing that conciliation was preferable to battle. Fleming credits Washington's achievement to a force of character that increasingly impressed soldiers and politicians alike, but even more to Washington's ability to persuade waverers and opponents to his point of view by using a "series of positive proposals, well researched and closely argued." Fleming's use of short chapters (one- to three-pages each) and lively prose helps keep the complicated political maneuvers easy to follow. (Oct. 25) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Library Journal

Prolific author Fleming (Duel: Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr, and the Future of America) writes of the trials and tribulations of George Washington as he led the Continental Army during the infamous Valley Forge winter of 1777-78. The "secret war" was Washington's ultimately successful battle to preserve his army against all odds. Fleming's point is that he was not simply fighting the elements and attacks by the nearby British; he was also reckoning with members of the Continental Congress and fellow army officers who deemed him inadequate. Certain generals, known as the "Conway Cabal," attempted to remove Washington from command, and Congress openly meddled in military affairs. Fleming's subtitle is sensational and overdramatic, as none of this information has been "hidden"; much of it has been covered in other Valley Forge titles over the last 50 years. However, Fleming writes strong prose that can command the reader's attention, and he provides good, accessible descriptions of the winter's events. The book's primary weakness is the author's overtly negative tone, which can make it read like a tabloid. Fleming dislikes nearly everyone-New Englanders, Virginians, and Quakers are frequent targets. Only Washington, portrayed as a master politician, and such close confidants as Lafayette escape relatively unscathed. Despite its flaws, Fleming's latest should prove entertaining to patrons of academic and large public libraries.-Matthew J. Wayman, Pennsylvania State Univ., Abington Coll. Lib. Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

A revisitation of that American creche, the wintry encampment at Valley Forge, where stalwart Continentals created a nation. Prolific historian and novelist Fleming (A Passionate Girl, 2004, etc.) isn't a revisionist as such; he has no interest in diminishing the heroism of the revolutionary soldiers who served with Washington and company in a time when victory seemed unlikely, certainly no interest in questioning the validity of their cause. Yet he does a solid job of showing that their weaknesses were institutional. In its wisdom, Congress had enacted legislation that made it impossible to profit from supplying the army, a disincentive even to a patriot, and it "insisted on trying to manage all aspects of running the war, without the knowledge or skill to do the job," which included second-guessing Washington's chain of command. Part of Washington's task during his unwanted but necessary layover was to do a little old-fashioned politicking to lose the micromanagement. He had other challenges, of course: securing provisions, getting a sick and hungry army back on its feet, learning how to fight effectively against a much better-trained, better-paid and better-led enemy. In the last matter, Washington had inestimable help from the legendary Baron von Steuben, whose name is still honored among American soldiers today; no matter, as Fleming nicely reveals, that the good baron more or less made up his resume, for Ben Franklin had "concocted his imaginary career and the idea of offering his services as a volunteer" just when such a person was most needed. Another surprise, courtesy of Fleming, is his account of the ethnic composition of the Continental forces, filled with German and Irishnewcomers, with Indians and blacks-all of whom were tested the following spring and acquitted themselves well at places like Monmouth, where the tide of war turned. Though without the flair of a McCullough or Ambrose or Brands, another solid work from Fleming.

Boston Globe

Solid account of the political intrigue that threatened the American cause during the winter of 1777-78.