George Washington's Surprise Attack

A New Look at the Battle that Decided the Fate of America

By: Phillip Thomas Tucker

Narrated by: Dennis Holland

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

Great Historical Prespective

Great insight on both sides of the battle and dispelled several myths and well written.

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.

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.

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

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