When General George Washington beat a hasty retreat from New York City in August 1776, many thought the American Revolution might soon be over. Instead, Washington rallied -- thanks in large part to a little-known, top-secret group called the Culper Spy Ring. Washington realized that he couldn't beat the British with military might, so he recruited a sophisticated and deeply secretive intelligence network to infiltrate New York. So carefully guarded...

From the bestselling author of In the Heart of the Sea, winner of the National Book Award, comes a surprising account of the middle years of the American Revolution and the tragic relationship between George Washington and Benedict Arnold.

Washington's army nearly perished during the winter of 1777-78. Camped at Valley Forge, the revolutionaries endured severe hardship. The army's supply system had collapsed and they were without supplies. But when the harsh winter ended, the soldiers had survived, and marched away from Valley Forge more determined than ever.

Combining biography and Washington's own writings with his own comments and sidebars, Beck explores our nation's first president and describes how Washington's beliefs and values--beliefs and values which united a country in an age even more fractious than our own--are especially important to remember today.

Learn how George Washington's crossing of the Delaware River helped save the American revolution.

"Relevant images match informative text in this introduction to George Washington. Intended for students in kindergarten through third grade."--

Drawing from the newly catalogued Washington papers at the University of Virginia, the author paints a full portrait of Washington's life and career in the context of eighteenth-century America, richly detailing his private life and illustrating the ways in which it influenced his public persona. When Washington died in 1799, Ellis tells us, he was eulogized as "first in the hearts of his countrymen." Since then, however, his image has been chiseled...

"Taking place during the most critical period of our nation's birth, The First Conspiracy tells a remarkable and previously untold piece of American history that not only reveals George Washington's character, but also illuminates the origins of America's counterintelligence movement that led to the modern day CIA. In 1776, an elite group of soldiers were handpicked to serve as George Washington's bodyguards. Washington trusted them; relied on them....

Explores the life and political career of George Washington from his childhood in Virginia, through his role in the American Revolution, to his years as President.