The Drillmaster of Valley Forge

The Baron De Steuben and the Making of the American Army

By: Paul Lockhart

Narrated by: Norman Dietz

The 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 on 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 it really was---but redeeming himself by his exceptional service and becoming, in a sense, the man he claimed to be.

©2008 Paul Lockhart (P)2008 Tantor

Evan's Review

If you want to learn more about the men of the America Revolution this is a good book that looks at the baron. Probably under rated by his commands around him because he was a Prussian and because of his ego but I high recommend the book.

Good book, odd in places though

It's a good book about the military and political aspects of his life. However, it comes down very hard against the gay thing. Which is in contrary to just about every other thing I've ever read about him. it's hard to know if the author is simply correct, or if they have a bias. Reading between the lines, the random strange things that happen do seem to make much more sense if it was about a man and his partners/ex's than a bunch of guys looking after their odd old general.

It is a bit of a rush through the second half of the war, but that's probably more a side effect of his role in it. The effect on Valley forge though is front and centre. including the idea "if any random from Europe could have taught this stuff. why wasn't it already done."

The politics and his issues with Jefferson and Laffiette were things I wasn't aware of and was good to hear. including how everyone so overly romanticised militia at the time. It does tend Into hero worship of Washington, but it's hard to find books that don't.

von/de; who cares

The service the Baron rendered the United States is immeasurable. This book reveals much about the upbringing that formed the man, commander, leader. The info is concise, but not overwhelming. “Easy listening”.

Interesting side story to US History

A friend of mine recommended this book after I told him that I enjoyed Team of Rivals and a book on Ulysses Grant, but was looking for something easier to bite off. I think the 13 or 14 hours of narration are just right to get a clear picture of Steuben's long journey into and through the Revolutionary War. The author seems to strike a fair and accurate balance on what Steuben's strengths and failings were. There is very little on Steuben's sexuality and rumored partying (so FYI if that's what you're looking for; I would be curious to know of the veracity of sources for some other more sensationalized recountings I've seen online). The book sticks almost entirely to his deeds and personality, save a paragraph or two on the circumstances of why he was kicked out of the Prussian army.

Narrator's voice I find is very relaxing but also keeps me engaged to material that can be dry at times.

Should be in movies!

This individual should be featured in revolutionary war films. i had never even heard of the baron.Until a few references in Bill O'reilly books. american history has truly done him a disservice. Because as far as I can tell, the chances of us becoming an independent nation would have been cut at least in half if not for his solutions.