Audiobook12 hours
The Drillmaster of Valley Forge: The Baron De Steuben and the Making of the American Army
Written by Paul Lockhart
Narrated by Norman Dietz
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
4/5
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About this audiobook
The image of the Baron de Steuben training Washington's ragged, demoralized troops in the snow at Valley Forge is part of the iconography of our Revolutionary heritage, but most history fans know little more about this fascinating figure.
In the first book on Steuben since 1937, Paul Lockhart, an expert on European military history, finally explains the significance of Steuben's military experience in Europe. Steeped in the traditions of the Prussian army of Frederick the Great-the most ruthlessly effective in Europe-he taught the soldiers of the Continental Army how to fight like Europeans. His guiding hand shaped the army that triumphed over the British at Monmouth, Stony Point, and Yorktown. And his influence did not end with the Revolution. Steuben was instrumental in creating West Point and in writing the "Blue Book"-the first official regulations of the American army. His principles have guided the American armed forces to this day.
Steuben's life is also a classic immigrant story. A failure in midlife, he uprooted himself from his native Europe to seek one last chance at glory and fame in the New World. In America he managed to reinvent himself-making his background quite a bit more glamorous than it really was-but redeeming himself by his exceptional service and becoming, in a sense, the man he claimed to be.
In the first book on Steuben since 1937, Paul Lockhart, an expert on European military history, finally explains the significance of Steuben's military experience in Europe. Steeped in the traditions of the Prussian army of Frederick the Great-the most ruthlessly effective in Europe-he taught the soldiers of the Continental Army how to fight like Europeans. His guiding hand shaped the army that triumphed over the British at Monmouth, Stony Point, and Yorktown. And his influence did not end with the Revolution. Steuben was instrumental in creating West Point and in writing the "Blue Book"-the first official regulations of the American army. His principles have guided the American armed forces to this day.
Steuben's life is also a classic immigrant story. A failure in midlife, he uprooted himself from his native Europe to seek one last chance at glory and fame in the New World. In America he managed to reinvent himself-making his background quite a bit more glamorous than it really was-but redeeming himself by his exceptional service and becoming, in a sense, the man he claimed to be.
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Reviews for The Drillmaster of Valley Forge
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
4/5
8 ratings3 reviews
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5This is a well written bioagraphy of Steuben's life, service and aid to Washington's army and debunks many of the stories about him. Steuben was a complex man, a well trained soldier and friend of the American Revolution; well worth reading for those interested in the personalities of the American Revolutionary Army.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This is an excellent book. Loxkhart does job of presenting the characters as real people. He does not fall into eitheer of the common traps; villifying or deifing the founders. This book restore the Baron de Steuben to his rightful place in American History. He is one of the key players of the American Revolution, but he is sinking into obscurity in our society. This book is a must for any student of the Revolutionary War.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Generally enjoyable and well written biography of one of the Revolutions most interesting characters. Offers a good background to the man many think responsible for the "making" of the Continental Army and explores some little known facets of his later life.