Valley Forge by Newt Gingrich and William R. Forstchen - The second book in the George Washington series, Valley Forge recounts the grim existence of the Continental Army during the winter of 1777-1778. Mired down in Valley Forge, PA, George Washington was saddled with saving and rebuilding an army that had reached the point of breaking. Undernourished, improperly clothed, and utterly defeated by the lack of organized support from Congress, Washington and his troops endure a brutal winter of disease and the elements. With causualities beyond compare, these brave forefathers managed to build shelter, forage for food, and after surviving the worst of these hardships, managed to rebuild their regiments into fighting forces capable of driving the British from the shores of our fair nation.
Not the very best historical fiction I've ever read, but the story was compelling, especially since I have recently visited Mt. Vernon and have learned a lot about George Washington. I don't think I'd take the time to read the first or the third books in this series, but I am glad I kept with this one as I feel much better versed on such an important time in our nation's history.
