ISBN 0-446-67425-7

If you are a history buff like myself you will love this book. The stories of the American Revolution and the obstacles that the founding fathers had to over come to establish this nation are amazing stories.

Take for instance George Washington. Appointed the General of an army that did not exist, had no funding, no training, no supplies and faced with the task of fighting an army that was the best in the world at that time, with unlimited resources and a numerical superiority that was 2 to 1 in most battles if not greater. How did he pull it off? How did he manage to defeat the world’s great super power and establish a new country at the same time? Through personal commitment and unconventional tactics!

Take the first year of the war in 1776. In the spring, Washington rode north from Philadelphia to take control of the Continental army that was surrounding Boston. The city was under the control of the British army and navy. Washington maneuvered his army around the city and took the Dorchester heights. The British feeling trapped, boarded their ships and sailed out of Boston rather than fight.

Believing that the British were headed to New York, Washington lead his army down to coast to Long Island meet the British as they sailed into the harbor.
The British amassed 30,000 troops to Washington’s 18,000. This time the British would not run away and Continentals would not be so lucky. Defeated first at the battle of Brooklyn Heights, then at Kip’s Bay, New York was burned. The British were in pursuit of the retreating Continentals who were defeated at Fort Ticonderoga, then defeated at White Plains and then defeated at Fort Washington and abandoned Fort Lee. The fleeing Continentals went across the Delaware river leaving New York and New Jersey to the British and only delayed the British advances by taking all the available boats with them. Washington had only 3,500 troops left of the 18,000 he started with nine months earlier and had suffered defeat after defeat. So what did he do? He attacked! In a bold move, on Christmas day, Washington went back across the Delaware and surprised the Hessian mercenaries at Trenton, New Jersey. Taking a 1,000 prisoners and suffering only 4 wounded men. Washington’s bold move and resulting victory at Trenton saved the Revolution.

There are several lessons we can learn from this. The first is to not give up even when faced with long odds. To perceiver in face of un-surmountable odds takes great courage but it is only with great courage that we achieve great things.

Donald Phillips is the author of a series of “On Leadership” books that look at historical figures and the lessons we can learn from the their trails. While there lessons we can draw from the struggles of the founding fathers. The historical information is much more enjoyable than the business lessons that almost seem to be tacked on at times.

In summary, there are many lessons we can learn from those brave men that founded this country. Particularly now in what seems to be a season of so many trials.

About Bob Boyles and Smarter Distribution:

Bob Boyles started his strategic consulting business in 2001 and has focused on the change that technology is forcing in the supply chain and how independent distributors can not only respond to that change but also maximize the return they are seeing on their investment. Bob has spent a significant amount of time as an Installation Consultant for several of the big name software companies in the distribution market. Working with hundreds of distributors across the country on installing, upgrading and utilizing their software.  Bob also worked as Corporate Systems Manager for one of the largest electrical wholesalers in the country as that company moved from a completely manual operation to an on-line real-time system. 

Bob is a graduate of Appalachian State University (BS - 1981)and University of North Carolina at Greensboro Graduate School of Business (MBA - 1985).

© Copyright 2002, Robert S Boyles, Jr. All rights reserved. This article cannot be reprinted or reproduced in whole or in part, without the express written permission of Robert S Boyles, Jr.