This book tells the story of George Washington and his army before, during, and after the famous crossing of the Delaware River and the Battle of Trenton during the American Revolution. It is mostly told from Washington's point of view. This little book was an easy read and is appropriate for middle and high school ages. The details and photographs in the book are gorgeous and descriptive. The author Jim Murphy clearly did his research, which is evident in the author's notes, the bibliography, and the listed sources. There is also a timeline included, which is helpful from a historical standpoint. ( )

See my forthcoming review in Kirkus. ( )

Jim Murphy does an excellent job of painting a picture of George Washington and his troops and explaining why these battles were so important to the path of the war. I am not a history buff, but this was more interesting than I thought it would be. I enjoyed all the archival paintings and portraits included, as well as Murphy's note on the famous painting "Washington Crossing the Delaware". Review: http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2011/07/crossing.html ( )

This is a great book for middle school researchers. The content is easy to read, but very informative. The illustrations were well chosen. The time line and and list of internet sources are vaulable tools for students. ( )

The brave young men who first enlisted as soldiers under General George Washington's command were promised

"a few happy years in viewing the different parts of this beautiful continent, in the honourable and truly reputable character of a soldier, after which, he may, if he pleases return home to his friends, with his pockets FULL of money and his head COVERED with laurels."

Of course, anyone familiar with the Revolution knows that nothing could have been further from the truth, which is why the choice of this 1775 recruiting poster makes such an excellent place to begin The Crossing: How George Washington Saved the American Revolution. After the victories at Lexington and Concord, Congress and soldiers were feeling brave and confident. It seemed that only George Washington understood the gravity of the situation and the enormity of the task ahead.

Jim Murphy's latest book is not a chronicle of the American Revolution, but rather a close look at the period between June 15, 1775, when Washington was appointed commander-in-chief of the Continental army, and January 3, 1777, when the Continental army defeated the British troops at Princeton, following the famous victory at Trenton on December 26, 1777. This was, Murphy contends, the most crucial period in the American Revolution, the period when the very survival of the nation hung in the balance.

In seven chronological chapters, Murphy carefully recounts the strategy, battles, and general mood of the soldiers and citizens during this period. Maps, period artwork and quotations help to set the desperate mood of the times. At one point, after George Washington's "humiliating retreat through New Jersey,"

"even a signer of the Declaration of Independence, Richard Stockton, gave "his word of honor that he would not meddle in ... American affairs" and swore allegiance to King George III."

During a retreat from Fort Lee in November of 1776, just barely ahead of advancing British troops, Murphy writes that Washington's

"desperate soldiers abandoned cooking kettles, muskets, ammunition pouches, and unnecessary clothing as they staggered along. A New Jersey citizen recalled that these soldiers "looked ragged, some without a shoe to their feet, and most of them wrapped in their blankets.""

As always, Jim Murphy's book is thoroughly researched, highly engaging, and exhaustively indexed. A timeline, list of Revolutionary war sites, and notes and sources are also included.

As a New Jerseyan, I am quite familiar with New Jersey's Revolutionary history, but still found The Crossing to be enlightening and engrossing. Particularly interesting is the lengthy explanation following the final chapter, of the famously inaccurate painting, "Washington Crossing the Delaware." Murphy offers insight into, and appreciation for artist Emanual Gottlieb Leutze's iconic painting, depicting the standing George Washington crossing the Delaware River. Art (and history) teachers would do well to use Murphy's text to introduce this painting. In keeping with the book's sepia-tones on white pages (diffcult to read in a few places), only the back of the book jacket shows the painting in color in its entirety.

Highly recommended.
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