FAREWELL TO VALLEY FORGE

by David Taylor ‧ RELEASE DATE: N/A

Last year's Lights Across The Delaware set its action around Trent's Town, this stems out of Philadelphia where General Stirling has sent dashing Captain Jonathan Kimball to round up much needed reliable military and psychological information. At the home of beautiful, spirited Elizabeth Ladd Jonathan poses as her servant. The importance of his mission grows enormously when Washington, fearing a peace movement with the English acceding to more and more Rebel demands (outright independence only is refused), finally determines upon a pitched battle with the major forces of the enemy. Swiftly but without losing its telling qualities, the story shifts from action at Valley Forge -- Washington's inspired strategy and rumor-mongering, General Charles Lee's betrayal, the leadership of Lafayette, Steuben, Wayne -- to espionage proceeding nimbly apace in Philadelphia. Elizabeth is as enterprising as Jonathan in tweaking Redcoat noses, in spying successfully, until she is arrested and it is then that Jonathan's timely arrival saves her. Messages delivered at breakneck speed, English fleet movements signalled in ingenious ways -- these are part of the means that keep up and enlarge reader interest, which will be held too by the particularly effective battle scenes. History plus fiction with a cloak and dagger twist.

Pub Date: N/A

ISBN: 1104835177

Page Count: -

Publisher: Lippincott

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 1955

Categories: FICTION