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The Drillmaster of Valley Forge
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About the Author

Paul Lockhart is a professor of history at Wright State University, where he teaches European and military history. He lives in Dayton, Ohio.

Reviews

"The author generally treats [Steuben] with balance, understanding and great good humor." -- Wall Street Journal"[An] informative biography. . . . Even readers who care little about the details of Revolutionary War battles may well find Steuben's maneuvers captivating. . . . Unusually well-written. . . with incisive character sketches of Washington, Jefferson, and other patriots complementing Lockhart's full-blooded portrait of Steuben." -- Kirkus ReviewsThis entertaining, enlightening, and objective volume is highly recommended." -- Library JournalLockhart makes solid use of primary and secondary sources to present a more complete picture of the Continental Army's inspector-general. -- Publishers Weekly[A] biography that delves into more detail about the man than any other piece of literature to date. -- Quincy Patriot Ledger"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"Paul Lockhart not only tells us the forgotten story of how this German volunteer transformed the American army. He has also made him an appealing human being. This is an important book for anyone interested in the American Revolution." -- Thomas Fleming, author of The Perils of Peace: America's Struggle for Survival After Yorktown"Baron 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"Lockhart writes a lively, incisive biography that exposes the inner workings of the Baron's mind and highlights the critical role that he played in winning the Revolutionary War." -- Edward Lengel, author of THIS GLORIOUS STRUGGLE

Lockhart, professor of history at Wright State University, has written the first modern scholarly biography of one of the American Revolution's iconic figures. Friedrich von Steuben is regularly described as the man whose drilling and discipline made an army out of the demoralized men camped at Valley Forge in the winter of 1776. Lockhart makes solid use of primary and secondary sources to present a more complete picture of the Continental Army's inspector-general. Steuben exaggerated his rank and status in order to secure employment, but was fully justified in asserting mastery of the techniques of war as practiced in Europe. Steuben learned his craft during 17 years of service in the army of Frederick the Great. There was no better school. Lockhart demonstrates the importance of European-style tactics to a war that could not be won by ambush and skirmishing alone. He shows how clearly Steuben understood the differences between American citizen-soldiers and the outcasts and conscripts that filled Europe's ranks. And he describes Steuben's contributions after Valley Forge to creating an army that won battles from Monmouth to Yorktown. Illus., maps. (Sept.) Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.

"The author generally treats [Steuben] with balance, understanding and great good humor." -- Wall Street Journal"[An] informative biography. . . . Even readers who care little about the details of Revolutionary War battles may well find Steuben's maneuvers captivating. . . . Unusually well-written. . . with incisive character sketches of Washington, Jefferson, and other patriots complementing Lockhart's full-blooded portrait of Steuben." -- Kirkus ReviewsThis entertaining, enlightening, and objective volume is highly recommended." -- Library JournalLockhart makes solid use of primary and secondary sources to present a more complete picture of the Continental Army's inspector-general. -- Publishers Weekly[A] biography that delves into more detail about the man than any other piece of literature to date. -- Quincy Patriot Ledger"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"Paul Lockhart not only tells us the forgotten story of how this German volunteer transformed the American army. He has also made him an appealing human being. This is an important book for anyone interested in the American Revolution." -- Thomas Fleming, author of The Perils of Peace: America's Struggle for Survival After Yorktown"Baron 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"Lockhart writes a lively, incisive biography that exposes the inner workings of the Baron's mind and highlights the critical role that he played in winning the Revolutionary War." -- Edward Lengel, author of THIS GLORIOUS STRUGGLE

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