The Tide Turns

In The Tide Turns, Donald Barr Chidsey, with the same sense of immediacy that made July 4, 1776, Valley Forge, and The Great Separation so successful, permits us to share the ordeals of the colonial army in New York and New Jersey during the first year of the rebellion. We see the approach of the largest fleet the British had ever assembled, the unopposed landing of a colossal army and its supplies on Staten Island, and the feverish preparations by George Washington and his aides. The British appeared to be in no hurry, but when they did move, they were invincible.

The Battle of Long Island saw the colonials outmaneuvered, outmanned, outgunned. By the time the Americans had withdrawn, the British had taken over 900 prisoners, including two major generals. At their own pace the British captured all of New York, including Fort Washington, and overran New Jersey. The rebellion seemed at an end. But Washington provided the necessary miracle—the crossing of the Delaware, and then the capture of Trenton. Before winter set in and campaigning became impossible, the British were cleared out of most of New Jersey.

Once again, Donald Barr Chidsey has brought history alive and has added a great popular interpretation to the literature about the founding of our country.