The Fate of the Day: The War for America, Fort Ticonderoga to Charleston, 1777-1780 (Revolution Trilogy, 2)

Rick Atkinson once again puts together a masterpiece. Examines the revolution from all angles and all levels. The level of detail is phenomenal and impressive. No subtle messaging or political slant. This is for the serious student of history.

A very well written work of history by a knowledgeable and talented historian/writer. You will learn details and matters of context you never before appreciated!

In and of itself, “The Fate of the Day” is a masterpiece within a trilogy masterpiece. If you enjoy historical storytelling, you’ll find it here at its finest, as usual with a work by Rick Atkinson. There’s never a dull moment as the author changes perspectives: close-ups to 30K feet, shifts from main actor to supporter, and insightful general assessments to fascinating particulars. The intriguing mix yields over 600 pages of sustained interest, not counting the 200+ pages of images and extensive documented research. Amazing for a work this long! Of the things I liked about the book, I especially liked the chapter about the Battle of Fort Mercer and its thrilling, unexpected, and personally gratifying combat scenes. Additionally, I appreciated the author’s inclusion of the most recent research and thoughts on Benedict Arnold, particularly his actions at Saratoga. As well, I somewhat grudgingly respect Atkinson’s challenge to increase my vocabulary by liberally sprinkling abstruse words throughout the book. I do have a couple of very minor issues with the book. First, Atkinson seems to favor the common distance description of 3,000 miles separating England from her American colonies. However, that distance is more accurate in terms of nautical miles, not statute miles in which most people think. For every nautical mile, there are 1.151 statute miles. Therefore, while the round-down distance between England and America is 3,000 nautical miles, the round-up distance between England and America is 4,000 statute miles. Try this on Google Earth from various places in England and America. As well, these miles are usually as the crow flies, not as the ship sails, where every so often the ship has to tack to better catch the wind, especially when sailing into the wind. A general rule of thumb is that tacking adds between 1.3 and 1.5 times the straight-line distance travelled. So even by fair-weather reckoning, it’s best to think of the distance separating England from America as 4,000 miles. In terms of time, the journey from America to England (with the clockwise Gulfstream current) typically took 1 month or 4 weeks; from England to America (direct-path against the Gulfstream), the time was usually 6 weeks; double this or more if bad weather. A modern-day parallel is that even on roads, one doesn’t drive as the crow flies, but as the road is laid and the traffic negotiated. Second, Atkinson does not to any extent cover New Jersey’s Middlebrook Encampment, where I would argue that Washington won his war. The cat and mouse game Washington played there with Howe forced Howe to take his army not by land but by sea to capture Philadelphia, delaying him enough so that he couldn’t support Burgoyne and avoid the major turning point of the war, the British surrender at Saratoga. Third, the location and timeframe (month/year) of each chapter are included as a smaller-font subtitle. Unfortunately, at least for me, one can easily forget which year events occurred, even when the day and month are specified in that chapter’s narrative. Bottom-line, though, this book about America’s fight for freedom is a true gem from a master of his craft. Outstanding and highly recommended! Of possible interest: a book that compares Washington and Lafayette’s dramatically differing results in their fight for freedom for their own countries, America and France: George Washington's Liberty Key: Mount Vernon's Bastille Key – the Mystery and Magic of Its Body, Mind, and Soul

Vincento Ibenez wrote The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, a best-selling novel based on the horrors of WWI in 1916. In like manner, Rick Atkinson’s: “The Fate of the Day” illustrates how Plague, War, Famine and Death were elements common in both European and American venues in the 18th through 20th century. While the first book in his trilogy reads quickly and captures the landmark events which shaped the onset of hostilities, this book shows the rocky aftermath of lofty ideals colliding with hereditary rule involving limited communication, inexperienced soldiers and commanders, mercenary troops, naval blockades, shipwrecks, indecision, poor planning and delays. These, coupled with unwieldy economies, led to supply shortages, exposure to heat, cold and illness and futile campaign seasons. Episodic savagery and mistreatment spared no one including Native Americans, enslaved persons, impressed seamen and prisoners of war. Moments of military and political heroism, cowardice, stupidity, cupidity and genius also occurred, which all helped push events towards their ultimate resolution. Although as well-written and researched as its predecessor, I found this book a more difficult read, perhaps because of the extent of human suffering it describes. Was it too long? Possibly, but effort and suffering were molten elements in this conflict which had to slowly harden for a new nation to form. Documenting the toll it exacted serves a purpose. The now legendary exploits of John Paul Jones comprise the most riveting portions of this book, and, given the military stalemate of those years, explain why he stands out even today. This is American History, written large, ideal for readers interested in the origins of our country and its anti-autocratic zeitgeist.

I love Rick Atkinson's books. I started years ago with the Liberation Trilogy, the story about the growth and development of the US Army in WW-II. When the Revolution Trilogy started coming on the market, I bought the first volume immediately. The books are written in an easy prosaic style, yet they have enough detail to follow the important battles described. They also follow Mr. Atkinson's style of including in-depth points of view from multiple characters on the scene . . . whether they be American, British (and their Hessian counterparts), French or Spanish. Excellent reading fare!

You love Americans history this a must have for you library.

Atkinson is a terrific historian who integrates the big-picture events with stories of the average men and women caught up in them. This is the second book in his revolutionary trilogy. His completed trilogy about the Second World War is a gripping masterpiece.

I have waited for this installment of Atkins' Revolutionary War Trilogy for five years and it was most certainly worth the wait. As was true of The British Are Coming (or for that matter, An Army At Dawn), his research of the topic is more than simply impressive! Also, on a personal level I enjoy his prose. His ability to blend modern (American) English with the 18th century version of the language makes for an enjoyable historical adventure! I confess, I have written only one fan letter to an author in my 75 years, and that was to him about five years ago. It may be time to write another. Ken S

importante, esaustivo, documentatissimo

Well written histoy

Despite the many horrors depicted in this, as in any faithful narrative of war, the author succeeds in bringing the modern reader into the real-time concerns and constraints of the people depicted so that one feels they are seeing these great events unfold as contemporary witnesses. All the people whose names and actions are depicted in this history are treated with great respect and come to life in these pages in an extraordinary manner which will help them be remembered and contemplated for hundreds of years to come.

Great read, excellent research and a balanced narrative. Just the occasional propaganda myth being repeated or reinforced but I guess the winners write the history…

Perhaps the worst Kindle book I've bought: poor organization; inaccurate tracking; wretched -- thumb-sized -- maps. Atkinson's first volume, published by William Collins was far better produced; his current publisher, Crown, should hang its head in shame.