A superb read that challenges the status quo image of the Continental army at its encampment in Valley Forge 1777-1778. The army was not merely an enduring force on the verge of starvation.
The encampment was an active defensive position. The largest event was the Grand Forage. A number of key members of Washington's staff helped the army to survive and transition into the 1778 campaign season; all while keeping the influence of the British in Philadelphia checked.
A great book that notes the not so glamorous parts of army operations. But without these operations, the army could not survive. ( )

This book has its merits. It discusses the context and many difficulties Washington encountered in feeding and supplying his troops during their time at Valley Forge.

Lack of available supplies often weren't the problem. In an area populated by both Patriots and Loyalists, obtaining consent from locals to provide those supplies even for a price was problematic. Especially so when locals could provide the same products to the British who paid in specie as opposed to Continental dollars. Another option was to simply compel locals to relinquish whatever food or clothing was required, although obviously this wasn't an ideal option.

The majority of the work set forth in detail the various foraging campaigns by Nathaniel Greene, Anthony Wayne and Henry Lee. The reality is that these operations were neither particularly compelling nor interesting, hence this section of the book makes for uninspired reading. In many points I had to make an effort to keep my attention from wandering. ( )

This well researched and notated study delves into the reasons and realities behind the tales of hardship during that record breaking cold and snowy winter at Valley Forge. It demonstrates the mistrusts and greed of both congress and the purveyors and the lengths to which the generals were forced to go to in order to provision their men. Well done.
I requested and received a free e-book copy from University of North Carolina Press via NetGalley. ( )