The Virginia Giant: The True Story of Peter Francisco - Hardcover

Standing 6 feet 6 inches tall and with the brawn of a trained blacksmith, Francisco, the "Colossus of the Continental Line," fought bravely in most of the war's major battles riding a horse named Tarleton after the British commander from whom he stole it and, according to witnesses, sometimes casting aside his firearm to wield an outsized broadsword. Though a foundling of mysterious origin, he went on in later years to enjoy a long life as a country gentleman and prominent war hero. Along with embedding their subject's verified exploits into vivid accounts of the fledgling Colonial army's trials and triumphs, the authors deliver a coherent picture of the war's general progress. They also add numerous sidebar comments on topics from women and African-Americans who fought to step-by-step instructions for rapidly loading a musket, tuck in clearly labeled tall tales, and close with generous bibliographies for both young and general audiences. -- Kirkus "Kirkus starred review"