Washington's Crossing By David Hackett Fischer - Book Report/Review Example

Few days later, the Washington and his army succeeded in warding off another enemy across the Delaware River. The winning of Continentals over Germen force was a major breakthrough in the American Revolution history. In this book, David Hackett Fischer affirms the major importance of this victory, the wisdom of Washington, his potential as a commander – in – chief and the immense power and the courage of his troops. Generally speaking, in this book, the author has put effort to break the unconventional view of people regarding the battles and insurgency happened in New Jersey during the winter season of 1776.

The product of Fischer in the format of book is breathtaking, compelling, complicated and narrative about events and is vividly explained by leisurely placing the events with biographical sketches. The author has put much effort in reflecting the inspiration and aspiration of American man in fighting the war. The British force in the American revolutionary war was all powerful and routed the Continental army at New York; they captured three colonies and advanced towards Philadelphia. In this book, the author revitalizes the revolutionary movement of the Washington and the amateur American troops in an untraditional manner.

On the cold Christmas Eve, Washington sent his troops across Delaware River and attacked the Hessian garrison at Trenton, capturing and killing thousands of enemy men and the second battle was the one at Trenton. When the British army landed in New York their troops numerically scaled to 33,000. At the same time, the weakened American army consisted of lay men and for the very same reason they were pushed off Manhattan and Long Island. In this revolutionary war, many American joined British men as loyalty which added to the misery of Washington.

Apart from this, the American army was going less in number which handicapped Washington on a great level. Then the fragile army of Washington moved to the shores of Hudson River in despair. It is later that the Continental army attacked the combined army of British and Germans at Trenton. In the November month of 1776, the British and Germen men travelled from New York to New Jersey in an effort to suppress the American army. Fisher comments that the success faced by American army inspired them to fight with more vigor against their enemy.

The author here does not intent to elaborate on the victory of American’s over the intoxicated mercenaries but imply to the ferocious and breathtaking rebellious attitude of Continental army. Fischer states that fighting at their homeland and facing numerous defeats and experience of war made American army more adaptable to war conditions. They gained more confidence to fight against less determined British army. Here after, the men send to winter quarters by Washington fought against British forces and Hessians which is termed as “forage war”.

Evidently, the morale of Americans enhanced and the British army even puzzled about victory in their future battles. Why this change ? Fisher believes that the enriched experience of American regarding the uncertainties and risk of war made them adaptable to battle field. According to the author, the American army started to use unorthodox and ungentlemanly tactics to fight against their much powerful enemy. As per author, in the