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OverviewThe image of the Baron de Steuben training Washington's ragged, demoralized troops in the snow at Valley Forge is part of the iconography of our Revolutionary heritage, but most history fans know little more about this fascinating figure. In the first book on Steuben since 1937, Paul Lockhart, an expert in European military history, finally explains the significance of Steuben's military experience in Europe. Steeped in the traditions of the Prussian army of Frederick the Great--the most ruthlessly effective in Europe--he taught the soldiers of the Continental Army how to fight like Europeans. His guiding hand shaped the army that triumphed over the British at Monmouth, Stony Point, and Yorktown. And his influence did not end with the Revolution. Steuben was instrumental in creating West Point, and in writing the Blue Book --the first official regulations of the American army. His principles have guided the American armed forces to this day. Steuben's life is also a classic immigrant story. A failure in midlife, he uprooted himself from his native Europe to seek one last chance at glory and fame in the New World. In America he managed to reinvent himself--making his background quite a bit more glamorous than was the reality--but redeeming himself by his exceptional service and becoming, in a sense, the man he claimed to be. Full Product DetailsAuthor: Paul Douglas LockhartPublisher: Collins Imprint: Collins Dimensions: Width: 17.00cm , Height: 3.00cm , Length: 23.40cm Weight: 0.567kg ISBN: 9780061451638ISBN 10: 0061451630 Pages: 337 Publication Date: 09 September 2008 Audience: General/trade , General Format: Hardback Publisher's Status: Out of Stock Indefinitely Availability: Awaiting stock Table of ContentsReviewsBaron de Steuben has finally found the biographer he so richly deserves-and what a terrific biography this is-splendidly written with narrative sweep, deeply researched with colorful details that bring the Baron to vivid life. -- Doris Kearns Goodwin At last, a good look at a great man. Paul Lockhart clears up all the puzzles of Steuben's early life. He also tells an archetypal American story: an immigrant, ambitious, blustering, insecure, who gives his talents and his passion to his new-found home. --Richard Brookhiser, author of George Washington on Leadership Author InformationTab Content 6Author Website:Countries AvailableAll regions |