In the Hurricane's Eye: The Genius of George Washington and the Victory at Yorktown (The American Revolution Series)

“In the Hurricane’s Eye” is another successful history, here pointing out the role and importance of the sea to the Revolutionary War. Many of us who are lovers of water and sometimes sailors have read all of Philbrick’s books with affection, will find this equal if not better than most.The study of wars and battles usually are associated with depictions of the great men who overcame lesser generals or admirals. Modeled after Julius Caesar. MostAmerican history textbooks note the importance of the French to the success of the thirteen colonies. We were not exposed to the day to day travails in survey courses and most courses were more devoted to the political and economic issues. Here following “Bunker Hill” where the role of the mob and the hatred of neighbors, loyalists versus patriots we can also smell the gun powder marvel at the ingenuity of generals like Nathaniel Greene and foot soldiers like Olney, who were remarkable in their skills and courage.And like “ Valiant Ambition” we learn the complexities of character of all the combatants. As a Melville devotee Philbrick realizes that all heroes mix moral strengths with dastardly foibles. As Arnold was vilified as a traitor he was previously gloried as a strong leader. His fall from grace is now being understood as part of the confusing part of life in a difficult time. His vehemence as a dastardly member of the British army caused such hatred in the Colonial soldiers to drive them to succeed.As we have learned from popular art and biography Alexander Hamilton combined overarching intelligence and courage with overbearing arrogance. In this text the meeting of the normally placidly demeaned Washington in a stairway he found as others knew that the general had willed his public persona to be calm. The equally proud and headstrong Hamilton quit. He returned and got his wish to command a group in an assault on a redoubt at Yorktown with a display of fierce courage.The book is filled with short vignettes showing the character of many of the players, heroes as well as villains. From this we understand that the fortunes of war are often the results of good decisions, but more often poor decisions. Naval battles in large sailing ships as described by Patrick O’Brien are rough, but here we see a shift in the direction of the wind can have a big part in who wins, and the now well understood hurricanes in the Caribbean are fierce and can change the course of history.Most important the book is readable, exciting and educational. I am not sure if tenured historians can appreciate Philbrick’s histories,but I am aware of a few learned dissertations on Arnold recently. American history is now approached with a broad view coupling great men with descriptions of the poor, underfed and the well coifed French aristocrats. Hair was important to these leaders as it is to some politicians.I heartily recommend this as a reintroduction to the last phase of the Revolutionary war.

Great detail of the brave men who stayed behind to help Washington safely leave New York during the battle of Brooklyn, and guaranteed that the Commander in Chief lived to fight another day. some great history that you never hear about, and we should know this!

This is a great narrative of a known tale. As others have stated, the coverage of naval operations was more thorough. Also, the discussion of the role of Francisco Saavedra, a Spanish emissary, to help get the French fleet moving north was missing in other version. As also stated, Philbrick repeatedly criticizes Washington for owning slaves but I think he could have considered the times to truly appraise Washington's behavior as slave owner (worse, better?). The errors in chapter 9 involve geography and are surprising given the detailed coverage of the overall book. Philbrick writes Yorktown is at the end of the peninsula when it is in fact over 15 miles from the end of the peninsula (Hampton and Newport News are at the end). Next, he says the British also occupied the "town" of Gloucester. They in fact occupied Gloucester Point. The "town" of Gloucester is the area around the courthouse many miles to the north. In addition, there is only an indirect reference to the battle of the Hook in Gloucester which penned up Tarleton at the point further denying the British food during the siege. The last point is the maps of the battle omit redoubts 9 and 10. Since these are significant to the primary focus of the book, it was a negative. Overall, well worth the read especially if you have never read a book dedicated to the battle.

Excellent book just like Philbricks other two books in his Revolutionary War series. I enjoy reading just about anything written by Philbrick and this book is no exception. I highly recommend this book.

Wishing to update my own book “George Washington’s Liberty Key,” I very much enjoyed Philbrick’s outstanding book, where I found lots of “Wow, I didn’t know thats!” While the book is wide-ranging in Revolutionary War coverage, it essentially covers: 1. Washington’s leadership (including deception) in getting his (French included) men to Yorktown before Clinton knew what was up. 2 (hence my headline). the events at sea (hurricanes, sea strategy, a Spanish diplomat, etc) which led to that crucial but lesser known aspect of what resulted in Cornwallis’ surrender and the Americans winning the Revolutionary War.If the author ever updates his book, here are some recommendations: 1. page 20. “1790 Overmountain Men” are probably just 900-1000 men, about the same size as the British force. 2. page 30 and elsewhere. Portsmouth. Unfortunately, on the inside covers the map includes Norfolk but does not include Portsmouth, just a little south. 3. page 261. King George III said, “[If] he does that, he will be the greatest man in the world.” Actually, as reported by Rufus King in 1797 about what George III allegedly told Benjamin West: "that act closing and finishing what had gone before and viewed in connection with it, placed him in a light the most distinguished of any man living, and that he thought him the greatest character of the age.” 4. page 273. “…his son George Washington Lafayette scattered soil from Bunker Hill over his casket.” My research shows that King of the French Louis-Philippe was hostile to a celebratory funeral for Lafayette. As a result of rushed services, the soil from Bunker Hill did not make it to the burial, but was sprinkled later over Lafayette's grave. 5. page 279. “Thomas Jefferson overheard him say,…‘he had made up his mind to remove and be of the Northern [portion].” Actually, this was hearsay, Jefferson’s speaking with Edmund Randolph, who heard Washington say this. 6. page 19 and elsewhere. “King’s Mountain” should be Kings Mountain. 7. Throughout the book, Philbrick occasionally takes what some might argue as unfairly harsh views of George Washington's actions regarding slavery. As balance, I would recommend reading another excellent book "Ties That Bound: Founding First Ladies and Slaves," which details the immense friction Washington experienced on positive movement coming from family, friends, community, and state.This all said, I very much enjoyed Philbrick’s well-written book. Very highly recommended!!Check out one of William J. Bahr’s books: George Washington's Liberty Key: Mount Vernon's Bastille Key – the Mystery and Magic of Its Body, Mind, and Soul, a best seller at Mount Vernon.

It seems that the author used a lot of knowledges and anecdotes that he discovered while working on other books on the American Revolution. Very interesting reading indeed.

Interesting piece of history, well written but you have love detail

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