Thomas J. Fleming (1927–2017)

If you wish to learn of the power struggle between the Continental Congress, a newly formed, standing Continental Army, and his "Excellency" General George Washington, this book is a great read. English tradition had no trust in a standing army, militias that quickly formed to face a threat and just as quickly disbanded as soon as the threat was over were the preferred defense. The new Continental Army flew in the face of this notion. A power struggle between the individual states and the Continental Congress led to numerous policies with no way of being enforced which caused the soldiers to go in want of uniforms, blankets, shoes, and food. A General, who's series of defeats starting with the Battle of Long Island, whose ability to lead was questioned by delegates and others yearning to be given the mantel of power. A great read about all of these subjects - The commissary department, the ill-named Conway Cabal, and the reasons that all these obstacles were ultimately overcome to allow our new nation to survive its first military test.… (más)