Acquired early 2023. Read about 2/3. This is a good read with good details about America’s early days!

The story of a period usually skipped over in the history books is here told as a thrilling political pageturner. Rather than a smooth progress from Yorktown to the Treaty of Paris, the American patriots faced bankruptcy, diplomatic intrigue and incipient mutiny. Franklin's eagerness to negotiate a separate peace was unseemly, the states refused to raise money for Congress to pay its debts, the Continental Army was dismissed unpaid except with paper, and Congress was forced by angry soldiers to flee to Princeton. Although the new nation held together for the time being, the book shows that the divisions between Federalists and Republicans were sown even before the end of the war: between a continentally minded faction in favor of federal finance and power, and a states' rights "True Whig" faction that feared the former were aiming at raising a new, grasping national elite. The common soldiery were unimpressed with the new political class their exertions had raised up, and the independent USA embarked on its internationally recognized career in a spirit of suspicion and dissension. ( )

When most folks think about Yorktown (if they think about it at all; or even know what it signifies), they think it signals the end of the American Revolution. Thomas Fleming's "The Perils of Peace" illustrates the mighty struggles various political and military characters dealt with both in America and England, France, and elsewhere after October 1781. For two years, ambassadors, congressmen, Lords, MPs, generals, and soldiers struggled with when and how (or if) peace would come.

Parts of this book were a bit of a slog due to Fleming's rather academic writing style as well as my unfamiliarity of some of England's lesser players and parliamentary processes. It does cover the two-year period quite well and explains the many issues and problems associated with finding peace that's acceptable to all players at the end of a world war (for that's what the American Revolution turned out to be). ( )

Excellent narrative of America's chaotic history from the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown to the final signing of the treaty of peace. Fleming presents an amazing story of how the U. S. almost did not become a nation. ( )

Thomas Fleming writes historical narratives with a grace and erudition that reminds the reader of why he became a lover of history in the first place. This is the fifth book by Fleming I've completed and he did not disappoint with "The Perils of Peace". The scope covers the period between the British surrender at Yorktown, the "end of the war", and the final departure of British forces from New York City following the conclusion of the several treaties between Britain and the US and her allies.

I never appreciated just what a close run thing independence was even after the surrender of Cornwallis. The lag in communications between Europe and the US prevented George III and his ministers from realizing just how desperate were the affairs of Congress, the states and the American army. Nor had I previously realized just how fractious was the relationship among the commissioners appointed by Congress to negotiate the peace treaty, Franklin, Adams and Jay.

It was a little sobering to realize just how bankrupt the country's finances were and how frequently Franklin was forced to go begging hat in hand to the French for millions of livres to keep the US treasury afloat and the army in the field. It is not unlikely that Louis XVI might have kept his throne and his head if not for the financial risks incurred by France in connection with her support of the Americans.

Finally, one comes away from "The Perils of Peace" and "Washington's Secret War" with a humbling appreciation for just how great a man and patriot the country was blessed with as commander-in-chief in George Washington. ( )