Memoirs of General Lafayette

A lively portrait unfolds of the French noble who answered America’s call in 1777, leaving his studies to ride across the Atlantic. The memoir charts his early years, his daring entrance at Brandywine, and the deep bond he forged with Washington on the battlefields of the Revolution. It also follows his daring escapes, his leadership in the northern and Virginian campaigns, and the steadfast ideals that guided his youthful service.

The narrative then turns to Lafayette’s triumphant 1824 tour, beginning with his arrival in New York on August 15 and the cascade of enthusiastic welcomes he received in towns and cities across the young republic. Drawing from contemporary newspapers and unpublished papers, the account captures the patriotic fervor that culminated in the grand Yorktown celebration on October 19. Through vivid detail, listeners gain a sense of the man’s humility, his lifelong commitment to liberty, and the lasting gratitude of a nation he helped to forge.