At the start of 2025, my understanding of the Revolutionary War was pretty hazy, stretching from George Washington's crossing of the Delaware on Christmas night 1776 to Cornwallis's surrender at Yorktown in 1783. After reading “The Fate of the Day: America's War, 1777-1780 (Revolution Trilogy, #2)”, the second book in Rick Atkinson's trilogy, and my third book this year on the subject, I finally understand why the war dragged on for so long. The American colonists started the war in Boston, rebe...

"Sunrise at precisely six a.m. hardly brightened the day. Gunsmoke and burning wheat stubble, ignited by muzzle flashes, thickened into ‘the most horrid fog I ever saw,’ wrote Brigadier General George Weedon. Wounded redcoats stumbled toward the rear, including a sentry with his hand all but severed by a bullet through the wrist. The 52nd Foot surged forward, adding another 350 muskets to the British line, and for a few unnerving minutes, the Americans buckled and the attack stalled. A 6-pound c...

Rick Atkinson is a trilogy kind of guy. He used three volumes to detail World War II, and *The Fate of the Day: America's War, 1777-1780 (Revolution Trilogy, #2)* is the middle volume of his trilogy about the Revolutionary War. Atkinson is the kind of writer who I check regularly—sometimes foolishly early—to see when the next volume is coming out. Nothing in this work disappointed. I'm already checking for number three. And here's the thing: I *needed* to read about the Second World War; I didn'...

It was absolutely worth the wait. I'd been eagerly anticipating this book ever since the first volume came out in 2017. Huge thanks to my local library's interlibrary loan program for getting it to me so quickly. You guys rock! Volume 2 of Rick Atkinson's *The Fate of the Day: America's War, 1777-1780 (Revolution Trilogy, #2)* covers the period from Ticonderoga to the siege of Charleston. Honestly, I'd love to see Atkinson tackle a trilogy on the Civil War next; he already knocked it out of the ...

Still a little loopy from post-surgery meds, so I'll keep this short. My reaction to Rick Atkinson's *The Fate of the Day: America's War, 1777-1780* was absolutely visceral—and yeah, in a good way. I think most of us have a pretty one-dimensional picture of the American Revolution: brave country patriots rebelling against tyrannical, professional Redcoat British soldiers and Hessians sent by the King of England to repress us and tax us into oblivion. It's not an *entirely* mistaken conception, I...

Barely 150 pages in (out of 618), and I'm ready to pull a Britain in the American Revolution: I concede defeat. On the upside: Rick Atkinson is an undeniably engaging writer (especially for nonfiction), and *The Fate of the Day: America's War, 1777-1780* is absolutely bursting with historical information I never knew about the founding of the United States. As far as American Revolution book reviews go, this one certainly delivers the details.I also think it's vital for readers to confront the (...

The second installment in Atkinson's Revolution Trilogy, "The Fate of the Day: America's War, 1777-1780". It's a readable and outstanding account of the fight for freedom. I won't bore you with the story; you all know it. I thought long and hard about giving this book 5 stars, but in the end, I went with 4. My reasoning is simple—it's not for everyone. Although Rick Atkinson's storytelling is superb, there are a lot of vivid battle scenes and military jargon that many casual history readers woul...

Rick Atkinson's *The Fate of the Day: America's War, 1777-1780* is the second book in his *Revolution Trilogy*, and it’s a banger. Covering the years 1777-1780, it dives deep into the major battles, the smaller skirmishes, and everyday life in the colonies (and beyond) during the American War for Independence. We're talking about the years when George Washington's Continental Army was pushed to its absolute limit, constantly struggling for funding, troops, and even basic supplies. The book even ...

Let's get straight to the point. If you're checking reviews for Rick Atkinson's *The Fate of the Day: America's War, 1777-1780* because you've already devoured *The British Are Coming* and need reassurance that Atkinson hasn't lost his touch, relax. Volume Two is just as brilliant as Volume One of his Revolution Trilogy. Dive in with confidence; there's no sophomore slump here. For those who haven't read *The British Are Coming*, seriously, go read it. Why would you jump into *The Fate of the D...

I received an advanced copy of this book through a Goodreads Giveaway. In my opinion, Rick Atkinson's previous work has already secured his place among the giants of American historical writing, alongside figures like Francis Parkman, Bruce Catton, and Shelby Foote. This second volume of what will be a trilogy on the American Revolution, *The Fate of the Day: America's War, 1777-1780*, only solidifies his standing. Absolutely exceptional. I eagerly await volume 3. For anyone looking for engaging...