Victory at Valley Forge by Newt Gingrich and William R. Forstchen

                                                        

Title: Victory at Yorktown
Author: Newt Gingrich and William R. Forstchen
Genre: Historical Fiction


Synopsis: The story of the events that lead to the battle at Yorktown in the American Revolution. Two young men who were friends before the war have ended up on opposite sides, one a loyalist fighting for the king, the other fighting for the continental army, working his way up to report information directly to George Washington. 

My Thoughts

I found this book in the discount section at Barnes and Noble and decided to give it a shot. July has been about reading stories set in the United States. Turns out that it was the third book in a series about George Washington. While I hate reading a series out of order, I didn't even realize it was part of a trilogy until after I had finished it and saw the other two listed in the back. So it speaks for itself saying that it can stand alone, not requiring the reader to have read the others in order to follow the story. 

I like that there are three perspectives explored in this novel, the one of George Washington, one of a young Continental, and one of a young Loyalist. It allows the reader to see what is happening on all fronts of the war while taking historic events and making them feel more real. It also provides an added dimension that the two young men had been friends before the war, and who have encountered one another over the course of the six years of fighting several times.

  I appreciate it when a war novel can be historically accurate and a well-told story. 

I look forward to finding and reading the other two books in the series!

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The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead

Title: The Underground Railroad
Author: Colson Whitehead
Genre: Historical Fiction


Synopsis: Cora was born a slave on a cotton plantation in Georgia. Her mother had also been born on this land, and her grandmother had arrived here by slave ship. Her mother ran when Cora was only a child, leaving her alone. As she grows up on the plantation she becomes an outcast amongst the other slaves. A new slave, Caesar, shows up on the plantation and asks her to consider running away, and when they do the course to freedom is not a straight line.

My Thoughts

This book has been on my 'to be read' list for some time. When the public library opened back up (after closing for COVID) I requested this book right away because the waitlist had been so long. Two days later I got a notification that it was available and picked it up from the drive-through window!
There are a few things that make this book feel unique. First, each chapter starts with a newspaper ad for a runaway slave, reminding the reader with the description of the person missing that they were completely considered as property, not humans. Second, in addition to the main storyline following Cora's travels on the Underground Railroad, there are short chapters scattered throughout that are about each of the important characters she meets along the way. It provides backstory that helps the reader understand why the motive that the person has for the role they play in Cora's life, good or bad. I also enjoyed the author's choice to imagine the Underground Railroad as a literal railroad beneath the ground, with stations to pick up the runaways dug beneath the homes of those who help them. 
I really enjoyed reading this novel and hope that you get a chance to read it as well! 

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Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon

Title: Dragonfly in Amber
Author: Diana Gabaldon
Genre: Fiction, SciFi, Historical, Fantasy

Other books I've read by this author: Outlander

Synopsis: The second book in the Outlander series picks up as Jamie and Claire leave Scotland and head to the continent to live in safety. It chronicles their lives in France, where Jamie is working for his cousin and becomes a confidant to Prince Charles, the ousted Scottish prince. Claire and Jamie work to stop the uprising and save the Highlanders from the battle of Culloden, but can they change history?

My Thoughts

900 pages have never gone by so fast for me as when I am reading this series. It is so fast-paced and intriguing that I had a hard time putting down, reading until I cannot actually keep my eyes open anymore. If you liked Outlander, then you will love this book as well. All of the best characters, plus a few great new additions continue the complex and varied storylines created by Gabaldon. 
If you have watched the series, you will find that this book covers season 2, but also crosses a bit to season 3 with some time spent in the 1960s. 
I am all caught up on the TV series, so being able to go back and read the books has helped me survive 'Droughtlander' as fans await season 6. 
I cannot wait to read the next book in the series! 

Comment below if you have read this book or have suggestions for others like it!




To buy this book from Amazon now, click on the image at the top of the post.
To see more from the author, visit the website linked above