Many books have been written about the Revolutionary War, but I was intrigued when I found that Bernard Cornwell had written a book set in 1777 Philadelphia. Although it was first published in 1987 and was his ninth novel, all of Cornwell’s famous skills can be found in this book: The impressive battle scenes, the well researched history and context and interesting fictional characters.

In the fall of 1777, the British army recaptured Philadelphia, the cradle of the revolution. The Beckett family has mixed emotions about this development. On the one hand Mr. Beckett, who owns and runs a vast shipping empire finds that his close connections with the British have always created a stable and profitable environment, on the other hand Martha Crowell, his sister, who is one of the darlings of Philadelphia society seems enamored with the rebel cause. Jonathan Beckett, too, questions “the right of kings,” but crippled with a club foot since birth, Jonathan is unable to fight for either side and must do whatever he can to keep peace in the family.

Sam Gilpin and his brother have been a part of the British army, but Sam’s brother, Nate, is having severe misgivings about wearing the redcoat and the rightness of the King’s cause. “A government for the people and by the people,” is much more appealing then some King who is oceans away, to Nate’s way of thinking. Sam, afraid that his brother might desert, keeps a watchful eye, but then during a minor skirmish, their captain, under pressure to produce results, puts Sam and Nate’s small squadron in harms way and Sam watches in horror as his brother falls in battle.

Through fate, love and the strange vicissitudes of war, Sam Gilpin and the Beckett family’s lives become inextricably entwined, while George Washington and the Continental Army regroup in a place called Valley Forge and keep a watchful eye on the British Army in Philadelphia.

Brenda” Rating: **** (4 out of 5 Stars)

Recommend this book to: Marian, Ken and Keith.

Book study worthy? yes

Read in ebook format.