A Reading Group Guide to When Washington Crossed the Delaware
By Lynne Cheney with Paintings by Peter M. Fiore About the Book “This is the story that I tell my grandchildren at Christmas. I hope that this book will bring the tradition of sharing history to families all across America.”
A straightforward yet elegant text and rich oil paintings bring to life ten critical days in America’s fight for independence. Lynne Cheney describes George Washington’s battle strategies, his struggle to maintain the morale of his exhausted soldiers and the actions his army took to defeat the Hessians at Trenton, and the British and Hessians at Princeton. Her words are complemented by firsthand accounts of the campaign from soldiers, bystanders, and the general himself, as well as illustrator Peter M. Fiore’s powerful battle scenes. A source index and map complete this inspiring true story about the courage and commitment it took to turn the tide of the American Revolution and change the course of history. Discussion Questions
•Why was George Washington discouraged at the beginning of the story? What was the condition of the American soldiers?
•Who were the Hessians and what did they think about the American soldiers? Why was their opinion of the Americans helpful to General Washington?