60-Second Critic: Valley Forge

Valley Forge: A Novel of the American Revolution
By David Garland (St. Martin’s Press; $24.95)

Unless you’re a history zealot like my Dad (who reenacts Washington’s crossing each Christmas), it’s difficult to recall specific characters and events from the American Revolutionary War. Unlike James Frey, Garland distinguishes fact from fiction for you: This follow-up to last year’s Saratoga continues the adventures of Brit soldier Jamie Skoyles as he

Valley Forge: A Novel of the American Revolution
By David Garland (St. Martin’s Press; $24.95)

Unless you’re a history zealot like my Dad (who reenacts Washington’s crossing each Christmas), it’s difficult to recall specific characters and events from the American Revolutionary War. Unlike James Frey, Garland distinguishes fact from fiction for you: This follow-up to last year’s Saratoga continues the adventures of Brit soldier Jamie Skoyles as he escapes from a Revolutionary Army prison camp in Cambridge, becomes a double agent against Washington at Valley Forge, then fights the toughest battle of all, between his allegiance to the crown and his sympathy with the rebel cause. Sure, there are meticulous battle scenes and lots of accurate-to-the-era detail, but the entertaining dialogue among war generals, combatants and nemeses makes this novel juicier (and easier to follow) than any textbook. Grade: A-