Victory at Yorktown by Richard M. Ketchum

American History

Victory at Yorktown

The purpose of this paper is to introduce and analyze the book "Victory at Yorktown: The Campaign That Won the Revolution" by Richard M. Ketchum. Specifically, it will contain a book report on the book. Richard M. Ketchum is a noted American historian, with several books on the Revolutionary War to his credit. This particular book details the decisive Battle at Yorktown, which turned the tide of the war and led to the defeat of the British Army, gaining independence for the United States. The Battle at Yorktown was one of the most important battles of the war, and one of the few that General Washington could actually call a victory, of sorts. The book analyzes the battle and what helped Washington become victorious, but it is also a compelling look at General George Washington the man, a man who the author clearly admires. The profile of Washington helps the reader understand the difficulties the Continental Army faced, but it also points to the leadership qualities Washington possessed. He managed to keep the army together at a time when there was no money to pay them and little food to keep them healthy and alert. The book illustrates the importance of strong leadership, coalitions with foreign governments, and how both land and sea management and control was essential to the British defeat at Yorktown. Washington never saw himself as a strategist, but this book indicates he was truly a leader who could develop competent strategies when he needed them. It also helps indicate why the people chose him as their first president, and why they revered him so much. He was not spectacular or showy man, and he did not crave the spotlight, but he did have qualities that people admired, and more importantly, followed. He was a great leader and politician, and this book is about him just as much as it is about the decisive Battle of Yorktown.

It is interesting to note that most Americans believe all thirteen colonies were staunchly behind the Revolution, but the author notes, "Out of a population of 2.6 million people, fewer than 1% were willing to join the regular army fighting for their country's independence" (Ketchum 8). Ketchum weaves facts like these throughout this book, demystifying some myths about the Revolutionary War, while introducing the players with detail and great understanding. He illustrates why the French entered the war (revenge, they wanted to humiliate the British after their defeat in the Seven Years' War). Ketchum writes, "First it would diminish the power of England and increase that of France. Second, it would cause irreparable loss to English trade, while stimulating French commerce" (Ketchum 16). In addition, it illustrates how desperate the situation was for the men of the Continental Army. (it is doubtful the Army could have lasted much longer had they not turned the tide at Yorktown.) Washington wrote of his troops, "Either the Army must disband,' he wrote, 'of what is, if possible, worse, subsist upon the plunder of the people'" (Ketchum 29). The Army was in desperate straits, and it was the alliance with the French that truly gave them the impetus to move forward and keep attacking the British.

Ketchum clearly knows his subject well and has done his research thoroughly. His bibliography contains numerous resources, including memoirs, personal accounts, diaries, and scholarly research. He clearly understands the intricacies of battle and warfare, and points out weaknesses on both sides. For example, the British knew the French were coming to America, but did not attack them as they arrived, which could have changed the entire outcome of the war. If they had managed to do great damage to the French forces, the British could have cut off those French troops from helping the Americans, and the war would have gone to the British. He writes, "The failure of the British to attack, and possibly fatally wound, the French at Newport was calamitous in the long run" (Ketchum 36). Thus, the author gives the reader insight into both sides of the battle, including his own analysis of what went wrong and what went right for both sides, making it easier for the reader to understand the background and inner workings of the battle.

In addition, Ketchum clearly understands the inner workings of many of the "cast of characters" of this book. He clearly admires Washington, but he is also very familiar with many other participants, such as Lafayette, Benjamin Franklin, and many others. He introduces them clearly and effectively, and almost makes them seem to be characters in a very well plotted play. Many historic texts can be dry and scholarly, but Ketchum brings a lively writing style to this work, which makes it much more engaging for the reader. This makes it easier to read the book, and makes it more applicable to many readers and their interests, as well.

Ketchum's thesis seems to be two-fold. He wants to chronicle the events leading up to the Battle of Yorktown and the battle itself, but he also wants to show the personality and leadership qualities of George Washington. He accomplishes both of these theses by creating a detailed look at both the battle and the general. He completes much research to accomplish this, but he manages to use that research to portray the inner workings of the participants so that they become more real and compelling to the reader. He does not simply supply dry facts and figures, he makes the people real and appealing, which makes this book much more enjoyable to read.