February 19: President's Day

Washington's Crossing 
By David Hackett Fischer

Featuring the pivotal Battle of Trenton, the author paints vivid portraits of Washington and his chief British and Hessian counterparts.  Just months after declaring independence from Great Britain, American colonists have lost the Battle of New York, and barely escape across the river to New Jersey.  Yet, despite the discouragement over this loss, meager supplies and tattered uniforms, not to mention severe winter weather, Washington's army manages to pull off a surprise attack on Hessian soldiers celebrating Christmas at Trenton.  Washington then managed to hold off the British army under Cornwallis, and pull off another victory at Princeton, resulting in a resounding loss for the British, and a new sense of hope for the patriots.  Fischer provides ample detail on battle strategies and geographic settings.  Washington emerges as an amazing and inspiring leader, truly the right man for the job.