Valley Forge: A Story of Endurance and Transformation - Newt Gingrich

Date/Time:	Tuesday, 16 Nov 2010 at 6:30 pm
Location:	Great Hall, Memorial Union
Cost:	Free
Contact:
Phone:	515-294-9934
Channel:	Lecture Series
Categories:	Lectures
Actions:	Download iCal/vCal | Email Reminder

Newt Gingrich is the coauthor of Valley Forge, a tour-de-force novel about the unique crucible of time and place where Washington and his Continental Army were forged into a fighting force that would win a revolution and found a nation. Newt Gingrich served in Congress for twenty years and as Speaker of the House. He is a member of the Defense Policy Board and cochair of the UN Task Force. A book signing will follow.

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More about Valley Forge:
In the winter of 1777, and Washington's battered, demoralized army retreats from Philadelphia. Arriving at Valley Forge, they discover that their repeated requests for a stockpile of food, winter clothing, and building tools have been ignored by Congress. With no other options available, the men settle down for a season of agony. For weeks the dwindling army lives under tents in the bitter cold. Food runs out. The men are on the point of collapse, while in Philadelphia the British, joined by Allen van Dorn, the Loyalist brother of the dead patriot, Jonathan van Dorn, live in luxury. In spite of the suffering and deceit, Washington endures all, joined at last by a volunteer from Germany, Baron von Steuben. Von Steuben begins the hard task of recasting the army as a professional fighting force capable of facing the British head-on-something it has never accomplished before-and in the process he will change the course of history.

Photo credit: Callista Gingrich