The most fascinating information was about how the Frenchman named Rochambeau was a key adviser to George Washington and the siege at Yorktown, which lead to Cornwallis surrendering. The French helped us gain our freedom from being just another colonial outpost.
Which comes to the irony of the tension between the French and the Americans. After returning from France and revisiting Normandy, the whole western world might be speaking German if the US and Great Britain had not come to the aid of the French in WWII. Why aren't the French and Americans better friends?
Besides learning about Rochambeau, the most interesting things so far to me:
- The aircraft in WWII that Germany manufactured was fascinating.
- Learning how 5000 - 8000 soldiers were fed during the Revolutionary war AND what they ate.
- The poor women who followed the soldiers during the wars and did their laundry and mending, and how families left at home survived until their menfolk returned from war.
- Ship battles and the importance of ruining the sails.
People seemed to have worked harder for so much less. I don't think I would have made a good soldier (6 to 8 people per tent, and no running water!). Good lessons for all of us...
Book on thie trip: A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron. It's a story about a dog's many lives. Nice light entertainment!
