Unlikely Allies by Joel Richard Paul

Unlikely Allies by Joel Richard Paul
For those of us who did not grow up history majors, practical reality of the sacrifices of great men to make America possible simply has been lost in the few pages and few battles that most schoolchildren are taught ad nauseum and can recite (Paul Revere, Valley Forge, etc.)  It is a fact that the glorified "winners" of our history: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson & the like get committed to solemn memory as the reason d'etre of our existence. Joel Rchard Paul (an impressive Harvard alum lawyer, diplomat, professor) in his ponderings and extensive reading came across the mysterious and intriguing papers of Silas Deane. Thankfully this bright mind wanted to excavate and explore the contributions of this mysterious Founding Father character and shed light on this bastion of hero strength whom our country owes more than it can ever repay. Silas Deane unfortunately has been categorically cast with negative aspersions as a result of jealous politics and these false innuendos have relegated him to a sad figure in our history.  Paul's work is truth shattering, akin to nothing short of unearthing the Egyptian tombs of Tutankhamun and the like in bringing to light the incredible story of one of our country's greatest heros when brave and talented souls were desperately needed and in short supply to give us a fighting chance in beating the most powerful country in the world at the time and giving hope to all mankind everywhere for democracy. Paul's erudite work reads like a Raiders of the Lost Ark script with Deane proving himself a brilliantly talented and goodhearted pursuer of democracy and equality for all. Long story short, we discover that Deane lost his wife and never was able to see his only surviving child (a son) again in his life as he was in France negotiating quite adeptly for the funds that helped win our country the means to make independence a reality, all the while suffering financially as our struggling county never had the means to pay and provide for our leaders like him when it was needed. He literally bankrupted himself in our country's cause. His mysterious poisoning death as he finally set off for America on a ship after years of sacrifice from the hands of a spy cunning enough to trick Ben Franklin is nothing short of meriting an Alfred Hitchcock plot.  Tied into Paul's brilliant book is the true tales of two other very interesting characters who were in the diplomatic triangle of securing France's resources to the American cause. The two other French men were the Chavalier D'Eon, a man who spent a diplomatic career pretending to be a woman to satisfy the spy necessities and saving face act of King Louis XV and King Louis XVI. His career as the French diplomat to the British Court is nothing short of death defying in risk and rewards. Fascinating how he died a spinster  woman only to have everything that was honorable about him take a back seat to his gender unceremoniously revealed in his death.  The other part of the dynamic and incredulous triage turned out to be the Caron de Beaumarchais who not only invented the wristwatch, earned the respect of the King to the point of being entrusted to tutor his children, but also was the famous playwright behind what would later become the Marriage of Figaro and the Barber of Seville. His being taken in and cared for by a wealthy patron who probably made him his lover till his death only makes it a more salacious tale in the backdrop of the dangerous political missions he was sent on (one of which was to convince the Chevalier D'Eon to act permanently like a woman or die due to politics gone awry which sabotaged the French King's power).  The book would be a fascinating read if it was a work of fiction, the fact that it is true is astounding and proves our American history is proof that it takes all kind of extraordinary people, dedication and talents for the impossible to manifest. This book inspires awe of toughness of character and circumstance. It reminds and teaches us that one should never discount or underestimate a person for not fitting neatly into a  mold. Everyone who is brave and talented is capable of changing the world in a very big way.... This book is a national treasure in that it rights history for the sake of Silas Deane and inspires us that some like Silas Deane, gave it their all, literally. Without funds and France, Washington could have been a captive and executed prisoner of war. Our country like Canada may have flown the British flag for many years to come but this book proves it was through the extraordinary sacrifice of heroes like  Silas Deane that we sing the Star Spangled Banner and Silas could not do it all. We also must thank the Chevalier D'Eon and Caron de Beaumarchais.  Thank you Mr. Paul for a pheonomenal piece of work that sets history straight and inspires us all. Long overdue for the sake of Founding Father Silas Deane.

Baron Von Steuben

In my 6 year quest of reading books on Founding Fathers  decided to read a book on Baron Von Steuben, the amazing Prussian/German military genius who proved a godsend to George Washington by introducing order, discipline & rules into the American Army (even wrote the army's first blue book). It turns out he is gay. It's a shame we don't teach this in schools & in our history books. It would make this whole ridiculous controversy over gay policies in the military moot. 

I recommend the book "The Drillmaster of Valley Forge" by Paul Lockhart

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/nicholas-ferroni/american-military-history_b_1606530.html