"Hailed as a "hero of two worlds" and described by Thomas Jefferson as "the purest son of liberty," Thaddeus Kosciuszko, born to gentry in relative obscurity in Poland, traveled to America to cast his lot with the American Revolutionary movement.

While helping to create a new nation, he set the stage for one of the most significant military victories in history at Saratoga, built a fortress on a rocky hillside that would later house West Point, the world's premier military academy, was credited with helping save an army from destruction in the Carolinas, and gained respect and acceptance not only for his military expertise, but for his great virtue and amiability as well."--BOOK JACKET.

"Returning to Poland with his American laurels, Kosciuszko fought courageously in the Polish revolt against Russian control in 1792, and led another uprising in 1794. Though eventually defeated, he gained the sympathy of people throughout Europe and America for his struggles against oppression and his support of universal liberty and human rights."--BOOK JACKET.