Portrait by Gilbert Stuart

A number of people have been asking me about Henry Knox and the section in Desperate Hours that describes his efforts during the American Revolutionary War to transport the cannons and mortars from Fort Ticonderoga to Boston.

It is an inspirational story, and well worth learning more about. Henry Knox was a true patriot who suffered greatly for his service to his new nation. The brief description in the book does not do justice to his amazing story. It is astonishing to me that he is not a better-known historical figure considering his efforts, sacrifices, and influence on the outcome of the Revolution.

If you want to learn more about him I would recommend a relatively new book by Mark Puls, entitled Henry Knox: Visionary General.

I hope the little side trip I took in Desperate Hours to this episode in American history was entertaining and informative for you. Part of my purpose was to contrast the sacrifices that our Revolutionary War forbearers made in relation to how little is asked of those of us not part of the United States voluntary military services today  – as we are engaged in a war with a relentless enemy who knows no rules, fronts or consistent battlefields. Our military leaders call this Asymmetrical War; I call it hell, and will be forever grateful to the men and women who serve in our nation’s armed forces.