'To Try Men’s Souls' by Newt Gingrich and William R. Forstchen - Book Review

To Try Men’s Souls by Newt Gingrich and William R. Forstchen is a captivating piece of historical fiction regarding the American Revolution in general and the Battle of Trenton in particular. The book makes history come alive as the reader feels he is actually there witnessing events as they enfold. We learn that some of what we think we know of the Battle of Trenton is bunk. To Try Men’s Souls is a superb piece of historical fiction that should rank alongside Killer Angels in the canon of historical fiction.

New Gingrich and William Forstchen are masters of alternative history. In To Try Men’s Souls they establish themselves as masters of historical fiction. The book covers the Battle of Trenton through several engaging perspectives including General Washington, a private in his army, Thomas Paine, and Colonel Rall of the Hessian garrison at Trenton. The reader feels transported to the 18th century through the dramatic and detailed recounting of the history.

The story corrects several common myths including that Hessian troops at Princeton were drunken louts and that the Battle of Trenton was a sure victory against a modest outpost. The book also emphasizes points that readers already know intellectually, but likely do not fully internalize -- the Revolution was teetering in the balance, Washington’s army was inshambles, patriots were defecting, and defeat seemed inevitable.

The one weakness in To Try Men’s Souls is that it feels incomplete. The book does not connect the Battle of Trenton to the rest of the winter campaign of 1776-1777 including the key American victory at the Battle of Princeton. The end of the book also does not emphasize the key importance and consequences of the battle. At a minimum, a final historical note wrapping up the campaign and putting it into historical context was justified. Still, this is a special piece of historical fiction with well-rounded historical figures, engaging perspectives, historical insights, and captivating story telling.