- Paperback: 278 pages
- Publisher: Brassey's (UK) Ltd; 1st English Ed edition (1 Sep 1997)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1857532295
- ISBN-13: 978-1857532296
- Product Dimensions: 23.2 x 16 x 2.4 cm
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
2,791,088 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #74 in Books > History > North America > Colonial, Independence 1501-1800
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Product Description
Product Description
This is the story of the long struggle between France and England for supremacy in North America, which culminated in a victory for the British in 1763. It tells of early exploration and settlement, of differing political, religious and economic interests, of the development and participation of the American colonies and the birth of Canada, and eventually of the United States of America. Noel Williams is the author of "Redcoats and Courtesans: The Birth of the British Army 1660-1690" and "Judy O'Grady and the Colonel's Lady: The Army Wife and Camp Follower Since 1660".
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3 reviews
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Why Research when you can synthesize?
22 Aug 2001
Format:Paperback
It is difficult to see why a retired British army colonel would want to write this book, which is a summarized history of the French and Indian War (1755-1763). There is little new to offer in this account, since the author relies heavily on timeworn secondary sources such as Parkman from 1884 and Fortescque from the 1920s. A professional military officer might have added value through in-depth analysis, but this is sacrificed for brevity. Adding insult to injury, the book is poorly-written and in particular, the author should be cited for excessive use of the exclamation point (usually a bad sign in a history book).
Throughout the book, Williams displays a casual attitude toward historical fact and statistics. For example, the author writes that in 1754, [Governor] Dinwiddie...selected [George] Washington, now a colonel, with 300 men from his militia to attack Fort Duquesne.." However, Washington's mission was defensive - to construct forts on the Virginia frontier - and he had only 160 Virginia provincial troops (who were not militia). In the 1758 Louisburg campaign, after the surrender of the fortress, Williams claims that, "one thousand of their comrades [the French] lay dead among the ruins". In fact, French army losses in the Siege of Louisburg were 102 killed. In the 1758 Ticonderoga Campaign, Williams also fumbles on the description of the key skirmish at Bernetz Brook on 6 July, writing that, "in the skirmish which followed, Howe, shot through the heart, was killed instantly, with 300 of his companions". In fact, British losses in this skirmish were fewer than 100, but French losses were about 300 killed, wounded and captured. These examples demonstrate how error-prone and unreliable this account is and also the author's failure to properly research his subject.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Waste of Ink and Paper
2 Jan 2008
Format:Paperback
I must confess, I never finished this book, because I tossed it aside in disgust after the first 4 or 5 chapters, the first time that I can ever remember having not finished reading a historical work. This is saying something, because I have slogged through the work of Soviet historians(the most boring species on the planet) to the bitter end, fighting off sleep every step of the way.
This author provides only the most cursory summary of the military campaigns, and at the end of each chapter, he informs us how many women accompanied the British army on each campaign(The Colonel's wife, 3 cooks, 5 prostitutes,etc., etc.) My irritation mounted, until at the end of the 4th or 5th chapter, I actually read the words, "No women accompanied the army on this campaign."
If you're a Birkenstock wearing Women's Studies major, who for some reason wants to learn about the French and Indian War, this is the book for you. Anyone else should look elsewhere. As for me, this book now has a place of honor in my bathroom, just in case I run out of another paper product I usually keep there.
This author provides only the most cursory summary of the military campaigns, and at the end of each chapter, he informs us how many women accompanied the British army on each campaign(The Colonel's wife, 3 cooks, 5 prostitutes,etc., etc.) My irritation mounted, until at the end of the 4th or 5th chapter, I actually read the words, "No women accompanied the army on this campaign."
If you're a Birkenstock wearing Women's Studies major, who for some reason wants to learn about the French and Indian War, this is the book for you. Anyone else should look elsewhere. As for me, this book now has a place of honor in my bathroom, just in case I run out of another paper product I usually keep there.
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
A bit stuffy, a bit casual, but enjoyable reading
21 May 2006
Format:Paperback
The author gives nothing new here on the French and Indian war as far as the conflict goes but gives plenty insight into the redcoats imported from Britain and Ireland who served here.
He comes over as a bit of a snot but he doesn't piss me off the way Amerindian activists do with their stuff.
He comes over as a bit of a snot but he doesn't piss me off the way Amerindian activists do with their stuff.
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