George Washington's Surprise Attack
A New Look at the Battle that Decided the Fate of America
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Narrated by:
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Dennis Holland
About this listen
Like many historical events, the American Revolution is sometimes overlooked, ignored, or minimized by historians due to being shrouded in romantic myth and stubborn stereotypes. Here historian Phillip Thomas Tucker provides an in-depth look at the events of the Battle of Trenton, weeding out fiction and legend and presenting new insights and analysis. Stories from many forgotten individuals of the war, including officers and soldiers from both sides, bring to life the Continental army’s desperate circumstances and shocking victory. Myths that Tucker debunks include the Hessians’ slovenly drunkenness, Washington acting alone in creating the attack strategy, and Rall’s incompetence as a leader contributing widely to his troops’ defeat.
By exploring the forgotten aspects of one of America’s most famous battles, Trenton’s story proves to be even more revealing and fascinating. In the end, America’s founding was nothing short of miraculous, and no chapter of America’s story was more miraculous than Washington’s improbable success at the battle of Trenton, where America’s fate was decided to almost everyone’s amazement on a dark, snowy morning.
©2014 Phillip Thomas Tucker (P)2014 Audible, Inc.Listeners also enjoyed...
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- Unabridged
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The Treaty of Paris, in 1783, formally ended the American Revolutionary War, but it was the pivotal campaigns and battles of 1781 that decided the final outcome. 1781 was one of those rare years in American history when the future of the nation hung by a thread, and only the fortitude, determination, and sacrifice of its leaders and citizenry ensured its survival.
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Pedestrian prose
- By C. on 08-14-13
By: Robert Tonsetic
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The Early Morning of War: Bull Run, 1861 (Campaigns and Commanders Series)
- By: Edward G. Longacre
- Narrated by: Aaron Killian
- Length: 22 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
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When Union and Confederate forces squared off along Bull Run on July 21, 1861, the Federals expected this first major military campaign would bring an early end to the Civil War. But when Confederate troops launched a strong counterattack, both sides realized the war would be longer and costlier than anticipated. First Bull Run, or First Manassas, set the stage for four years of bloody conflict that forever changed the political, social, and economic fabric of the nation. It also introduced the commanders, tactics, and weaponry that would define the American way of war through the turn of the twentieth century.
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Best book of this early battle
- By Bradley Behrhorst on 09-02-22
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Betrayal at Little Gibraltar
- A German Fortress, a Treacherous American General, and the Battle to End World War I
- By: William Walker
- Narrated by: Robertson Dean
- Length: 11 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
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The year is 1918. German engineers have fortified Montfaucon, a rocky butte in Northern France, with bunkers, tunnels, trenches, and a top-secret observatory capable of directing artillery shells across the battlefield. Following a number of unsuccessful attacks, the French deem Montfaucon impregnable and dub it the Little Gibraltar of the Western Front. Capturing it is a key to success for AEF commander in chief John J. Pershing's 1.2 million troops.
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Compelling narrative, meticulous research
- By JKW on 07-18-16
By: William Walker
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All the King's Men
- The British Soldier from the Restoration to Waterloo
- By: Saul David
- Narrated by: Sean Barrett
- Length: 18 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
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The unabridged, downloadable audiobook edition of Saul David's comprehensive history, All the King's Men: The British Soldier from the Restoration to Waterloo, read by the actor Sean Barrett. "The British soldier," wrote a Prussian officer who served with Wellington, "is vigorous, well fed, by nature highly brave and intrepid, trained to the most vigorous discipline, and admirably well-armed...
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A grand epic
- By Mark Henman on 09-03-12
By: Saul David
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A Campaign of Giants: The Battle for Petersburg, Volume 1
- From the Crossing of the James to the Crater
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- Narrated by: Paul Woodson
- Length: 25 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
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Grinding, bloody, and ultimately decisive, the Petersburg Campaign was the Civil War's longest and among its most complex. Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee squared off for more than nine months in their struggle for Petersburg, the key to the Confederate capital at Richmond. Featuring some of the war's most notorious battles, the campaign played out against a backdrop of political drama and crucial fighting elsewhere, with massive costs for soldiers and civilians alike.
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Well documented and fills a big gap
- By Ripley on 10-29-24
By: A. Wilson Greene, and others
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The Battle of Leipzig: The History and Legacy of the Biggest Battle of the Napoleonic Wars
- By: Charles River Editors
- Narrated by: Phillip J. Mather
- Length: 1 hr and 35 mins
- Unabridged
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Two military setbacks, on a scale unprecedented in history, were required before the high tide of Napoleon's success began to ebb towards the final denouement of the Hundred Days and the famous Battle of Waterloo. The failed Russian invasion set the stage for the second defeat at Leipzig, which essentially sealed the fate of Napoleon's empire. The four-day Battle of Leipzig in October 1813, dubbed the "Battle of the Nations", essentially determined the course the Napoleonic Wars took from that moment forward.
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The Battle of New Orleans
- By: Robert V. Remini
- Narrated by: Raymond Todd
- Length: 6 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
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The Battle of New Orleans sets its scenes with an almost unbelievably colorful cast of characters - a happenstance coalition of militia-men, regulars, untrained frontiersmen, free blacks, Indians, townspeople, and of course, Jackson himself. His glorious, improbable victory will catapult a once-poor, uneducated orphan boy into the White House and forge the beginning of a true nation.
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Pronunciation please!
- By Paul Randolph on 05-06-19
By: Robert V. Remini
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A Blaze of Glory
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- By: Jeff Shaara
- Narrated by: Paul Michael
- Length: 18 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
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It's the spring of 1862. The Confederate Army in the West teeters on the brink of collapse following the catastrophic loss of Fort Donelson. Commanding general Albert Sidney Johnston is forced to pull up stakes, abandon the critical city of Nashville, and rally his troops in defense of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad. Hot on Johnston's trail are two of the Union's best generals: the relentless Ulysses Grant, fresh off his career-making victory at Fort Donelson, and Don Carlos Buell.
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I Love Shaara, But Perhaps More in Print
- By Wolfpacker on 12-09-14
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Igniting the American Revolution
- 1773-1775
- By: Derek W. Beck
- Narrated by: Jonathan Davis
- Length: 11 hrs and 22 mins
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Few Americans know that the Revolutionary War did not begin with the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, but over a year earlier, in April 1775. Now historian Derek Beck draws on previously unpublished documents to tell the full story of the war before American independence - from both sides. Spanning the years 1773 to 1776, this audiobook sweeps listeners from the Boston Tea Party to the halls of Parliament - where Ben Franklin was almost run out of England for pleading on behalf of the colonies.
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Learned so much!
- By tracey68 on 10-15-17
By: Derek W. Beck
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What listeners say about George Washington's Surprise Attack
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Orange
- 12-10-20
Verbosity on steroids!
A truly detailed and fascinating account of the battle, HOWEVER, the author seems to ascribe to the belief that no thought that can be conveyed in just a few words isn’t better said in 50 or 60 - and then repeated incessantly throughout the book. As if trying to impress, the author uses a few 50-cent words over and over, sometimes two or three times in the same sentence. Although the high volume of research expended is acknowledged and appreciated, there are different numbers of casualties reported in different places towards the end of the book.
It’s a great story but would have been better told without the continuous repetition. Oh, for a brave editor with a sharp pen.
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- TS Tharp
- 12-12-23
Comprehensive Detail And Well Read
I have read many books of the subject and believe this singular novel a keystone historical detailed account of political, personal, environmental, hardware, hardship, endurance, enlightened historical events, failed British leadership, and tactical training of German and British Armies being the manifestations of the outcome as hoped for by George Washington.
Devine Providence Indeed!
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- Croaky
- 03-05-22
I rarely do this...BUT...
I rarely give books a poor rating., But here I must. It just drags for several chapters. WAY too much needless detail and backstory that really doesn't add anything to the narrative. Even worse, the author continually injects "probables" such as what the band MIGHT have played or what the soldiers MAY have been chanting on a march. Complete conjecture, not history and again, it doesn’t really add anything to the narrative. My apologies to the offer, but that is how I see it.
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- Michael B.
- 03-30-21
Excellent story of Washington’s Battle at Trenton on 26 December 1776
I listened to this book on Audible which was 27 hours and 12 minutes long. I had some years ago listened to Washington’s Crossing by David Hackett Fischer on CD. I found Tucker’s book far more interesting. Following the battle from personal descriptions of both sides makes it interesting. The only drawback with Audible is the lack of maps to follow the maneuvers of the battle, which is not possible while driving but if you have the Kindle it is possible to follow the text as it is read with the maps.
Tucker describes the Revolutionary War as a Civil War in some parts, which is a also a proper description. The British Army and the German troops called Washington’s Army the Rebels and traitors but Washington’s troops considered themselves as Patriots and the Continental Army. There was not complete support for the American Revolution as many of the people were still loyal to England. This was made clear by the fact some of the New Jersey counties that Washington’s army went through were loyalists and no one wanted to be left behind as a straggler from exhaustion. My ancestors in South Carolina had to also fight against their Loyalists neighbors, so this was not just a New Jersey occurrence.
Still this was an outstanding victory described in this book. Americans owe Washington and his soldiers the greatest praise for what they accomplished at Trenton. The book doesn’t just contain the scenes from the battle but biographies of both sides in the battle and events following the war. Hopefully, Tucker will follow up with the Battle of Princeton, NJ in January 1777.
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- David
- 05-06-21
Fine military history
A 45 minute battle changes the course of world history and this narrative grabs the moment in riveting detail. Moreover, it corrects shameful misconceptions of the battle. The utter brilliance of Washington and his lieutenants receives its due. Of special importance is giving the Hessians respect. They were not drunk or sleeping off a binge. No, they slept in arms ready for anything. They fought back with skill and honor, but were overwhelmed by an audacious assault of rare genius and prowess.
Many thanks to the author for his scholarship and humanity. There is some repetition in the narrative that seems avoidable. Perhaps it is a literary device. No matter, it does not spoil the narrative. This book is a true pleasure and most enlightening.
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- Mark
- 02-16-21
Great Historical Prespective
Great insight on both sides of the battle and dispelled several myths and well written.
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- MarthaMomZ
- 08-07-21
The mispronunciations drove me NUTS!!!!
Narrator mispronounced words such as cavalry, and other simply pronounced words. h
He does thi every 10 minutes or so all the way through the book.
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- Kkirkp
- 09-21-21
The longest slowest book ever
The story is interesting put the author to often repeats himself and says the same thing again. You will definitely learn that Washington tries a risky double envelopment.
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- M.Garman
- 02-01-15
Details,Details.
Would you try another book from Phillip Thomas Tucker and/or Dennis Holland?
Maybe.
What was one of the most memorable moments of George Washington's Surprise Attack?
An appreciation of how massive artillery followed up by a spirited attack won the day.
Which character – as performed by Dennis Holland – was your favorite?
Washington
Did George Washington's Surprise Attack inspire you to do anything?
Learn more about Washington's 2nd crossing back to New Jersey.
Any additional comments?
Washington's Crossing by Hackett is one of my favorite audible books.I highly reccomend you listen to it first before you purchase Surprise Attack.I have listened to it several times. One thing I didn't know was that after Washington successfully attacked Trenton and recrossed the Delaware river back to Valley Forge,based on reports and requests from partisans and elements of his army who remained on the New Jersey side,Washington RECROSSED a 2nd time,REOCCUPIED and fortified Trenton against the British rushing up from Princeton.He harassed the British on their forced march from Princeton to Trenton only to deal them a humiliating bloody nose at the end.WOW!! It was my desire for more details about this and the initial attack why I purchased Washington's Surprise Attack.Details I got.For that reason it was a good listen in that I learned and appreciated more.However there is little emphasis on the 2nd crossing which is every bit as exciting as the 1st one.For that reason I think you should listen to Washington's Crossing first.You won't be disappointed and if you then want to get more of the minutiae
[I did] then listen to Washington's Surprise Attack
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- Anonymous User
- 08-25-21
Eye opening, thank you
It was wonderful. The narrator sounded great and made it flow. His voice was rich a easy to listen to. The book was vary well done. It reads like a novel from source documents. No stone was left unturned, No angle left un-viewed, no opinion left unexplored, and The consequences laid out.
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book. And gain some real insights into character of our early ancestors and founding citizens and founding fathers what it took to build this nation that I love. Thank you
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