"Schneider transports readers to the violent and inspiring crucible of America, capturing the patriotic vigorand sacrifice of the country's tentative first steps."

As Christmas approaches, a brutal winter storm closes in on Philadelphia and Betsy, a young widow exiled from her Quaker faith, is called to help the American cause.

Hessian soldiers attack Nathaniel's home. After witnessing the horror of the Hessian's crimes, he joins Washington's rag-tag forces in a last-ditch all-or-nothing attack on Trenton during the height of the storm.

Washington's success depends on the aid of Nate, others like him, and the daring ingenuity of Betsy as she attempts to stall Colonel Von Donop and his reinforcement troops bound for the Hessian fort in Trenton.

Washington sets the secret code phrase of the winter mission as "victory or death" and they all have to face their own slim odds of success.