Product Description
Bob Bearor has combined his deep love of North America's heritage with extensive real world research to create this easily read book. I highly recommend it as a thoroughly enjoyable and valuable contribution to our understanding of this critical period in ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Mid-Appalachian Frontier: A Guide to Historic Sites of the French and Indian War
I spend a lot of time doing historic re-enactments of the French and Indian War time period and found this book to be an excellent source of information.

Great F&I War guide
This is an excellent guide to historic sites associated with the French and Indian War in the mid-Appalachian region (PA, VA, MD, WV, and extreme western NY). Sites are arranged in chapters mainly according to location, though sometimes by events (Pontiac's War, Braddock's March). Western PA, the Conococheague Valley in central PA, and the Virginia Frontier are examples of chapters headings.

Swift describes each site in terms of its historical significance, gives specific driving instructions for locating each site, and includes photographs of what can be seen today at each site. Swift is thorough (nothing of any significance is left out, including sites located on private property) and informative. A must-have book for anyone interested in the F&I War, especially for those who might want to see sites for themselves.

Important French & Indian War sites
I thought that this was an excellent book that listed many of the important F&I sites(and a lot of the minor ones too).He puts a face on the people who were involved in this great "War for Empire". ... Read more

Product Description
"He who opens these pages for the first time faces a rich experience."-C. Vann Woodward.

In the words of Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., here "is romantic history at its most vivid and compelling." This edition of the classic study of the two brilliant opposing generals in the French and Indian War features not only over forty illustrations but also a masterly foreword by the distinguished historian C. Vann Woodward. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (25)

If you know you want it, you will like it
"Montcalm and Wolfe" is the preeminent history of the French & Indian War to be written in the 1800s. Recent research has added to our knowledge, but for the most part Parkman's work remains trustworthy. It is especially valuable for those who want to see if he might be the source for the opinions of others.

One criticism of this book, which is a matter of opinion more than of fact, is that Parkman takes the side of the English too much to be considered objective. In my view, he is clear enough when it is that he is stating facts and when he is expressing his own prejudices, that this is not a defect in the work as a whole. Simply put, care must be taken to distinguish the two.

The format and typography are unfortunate. The text is clear enough, but it betrays its origins as a transcription (by typewriter) rather than a photoreprint. Nevertheless, this book is a "must" for the serious student of the French & Indian War; and this transcribed edition makes it affordable.

Be warned...
This edition is only the first volume of a two-part work.I am returning this book and exchanging it for the edition with the forward by C Vann Woodward as it appears to be complete.

Did none of the reviewers here notice that the narrative stops at William Henry - and with the words "End of Vol. I"????

Parkman the bigoted novelist
"Parkman was a liar.He fabricated documents, misquoted others, pretended to use his great collection of sources when he really relied almost entirely on a small set of nastily biased secondary works, and did it in order to support an ideology of divisiveness and hate based on racism, bigotry, misogyny, authoritarianism, chauvinism and upper class arrogance."
Empire of Fortune, by Francis Jennings

Montcalm and Wolfe
Although a bit tedious at times, Francis Parkman gathers all facts leading up to the climax at the Plains of Abraham.

Timeless Classic
History as it should be written. Francis Parkman recounts exactly what happened during the Seven Years War in America, or the French and Indian War, as most of us refer to it. He does not wallow in the whiny, hand wringing, pseudo-scholarship of today's politically correct crowd. His prose sings with a lyricism so utterly lacking in the leaden efforts of today's academic historians. If you want to learn about the French and Indian War, look no further than this masterpiece. ... Read more

Product Description
Four essential accounts of war in the New World

This book will be a joy to all those-academic and casual-who have an interest in the Seven Years War as it was fought in America in the middle of the eighteenth century-the conflict we now know as the French and Indian War. These narratives are too packed with action and incredible events to give details here. They are all shorter works which, without companions, would have been unlikely to see publication individually, but joined together the reader can immerse himself in the times and be enthralled by the voices of those who experienced these momentous times. Here are Rogers, Israel Putnam and other famous Rangers who weave their presence and deeds through each account. Here are the Provincials and the Regulars-the Royal Americans and the Highlanders. Here are Fort Bull, Fort William Henry, Crown Point and Ticonderoga. Here are Monroe, Amherst, Howe, Johnson and many others. This is the experience of war against the French and their fierce Indian allies in the deep woods of the American Frontier. Raids, ambushes, flights, captures, ordeals and escapes fill all the pages of this truly indispensable book! ... Read more

Product Description
In the summer of 1760, ten months after the fall of Quebec City, British forces under the command of General Amherst were converging on Montreal, which would capitulate to the British by early September. Somehow Amherst had managed to break the complex network of French-Native alliances on which New France relied. Vaugeois sets the context by reviewing the important events of the Seven Years War and then examines the train of events between the fall of Quebec and that of Montreal in detail. He looks at the same events from three different perspectives - as empirical facts, in their legal interpretation, and as the subject of debates by historians. The result is an intriguing detective story with unexpected twists and surprising revelations. The Last French and Indian War sheds light on how, since the 1982 patriation of the constitution, Canadian courts have become a formidable tool for Natives in asserting their rights. It examines the extent to which this creates two categories of citizen and poses a threat to the foundations of Canadian society. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

An informed and informative historical survey
The Last French And Indian War by Canadian biographer and historian Denis Vaugeois is an informed and informative historical survey and scholarly analysis of a heated conflict in 1760 which had repercussions for Quebec and America lasting to the present day in Canadian/American international relations. Delineating the cause, flow, and effect of the war, and packed with asides and black-and-white illustrations, The Last French And Indian War is a superbly written history and a very highly recommended addition to academic and community library Native American Studies, Canadian History, and Colonial American History collections and reading lists. ... Read more

Product Description
This is a fast moving, illustrated account of the French and Indian War; the war that determined what civilization, what governmental institutions, what social and economic patterns would be paramount in North America.

Written from English speaking sources and the British point of view, it is surprisingly fair in representing the French as poorly supplied and supported by their government, greatly outnumbered, yet masters of woodland fighting.The author explains the roles played by the French, the British, the Indian allies on both sides, and by the Colonials with warranted emphasis on Robert Rogers and his Rangers.A year-by-year, campaign by campaign accounting puts the events in perspective.

The author's research into the role of Roger's Rangers is amply represented and his personal collection of site photos and paintings is a valuable addition.Recommended to anyone who seeks to know and interpret this important phase of our history.

12 illustrations; 32 photographs; 3 paintings; 2 full color plates; 1 map. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Not much content.
This is a book containing 110 pages, but 76 of the pages are just pictures.so if you are looking for something extremely short to read this is the book for you. definatly not worth the cost.

Update on Third Edition
I have just sent the revised manuscript of America's FIRST First World War to the publisher, Purple Mountain Press, in Fleischmanns, New York.

Publication of this new edition is tentatively scheduled for June.The original text has been revised and updated, and many new illustrations have been added.

At or about the same time that this book is released, an extensively footnoted and illustrated edition of Robert Rogers' famous "Journals" that I have been working on with Gary Zaboly, is also due for publication.

(I only rated the book because it is a required field. It's really up to the readers to decide). ... Read more

Product Description
This is Elijah Estabrook's story. He was a Massachusetts provincial soldier who fought Montcalm at Ticonderoga, a battle in the French and Indian War (1754-1763).

Elijah Estabrooks kept a journal between 1758 and 1760 covering his military service during the French and Indian War, a period that saw Canada ceded to Britain. Ticonderoga Soldier expands on the details of the people and events he mentions in his Journal. He lies buried near Jemseg, New Brunswick, and he was one of the earliest settlers on the Saint John River. This book is a tribute from one of his many descendants. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Vignettes of Maryland in the F&I War
This interesting book has nice photos of sites and reenactors. It has historic markers and details of mistakes on the markers. There are also copies of historic documents and maps. The book is an easy read for thosewith a knowledge of the F&I War. It would be a good addition to thelibrary of everyone living in Western Maryland. The book is NOT a completehistory of Maryland in the French and Indian War, rather it is a helpfulselective history. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
The warfare of the French-Indian War was diverse, ranging from savage warfare in the forests and plains of the North American frontier to city sieges and open battles. The British Army struggled with the terrain and the tactics of the opposing American Indians. As the war progressed, the British Army learned from their allies, initiated reforms and eventually triumphed over the French and Canadians. The implications of this conflict reached across the world, contributing to the outbreak of the Seven Years' War in Europe and on the Indian subcontinent. This highly illustrated book charts the campaigns of the war, detailing the different troops raised and involced, the evolving tactics, the fortresses and battles. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Very Well Done
Great military history of the F&I War, with awesome color repoductions of portraits, maps, etc.Chapters on Rangers and French forces well-done.

FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR RUTH SHEPPARD
VERY COLORFUL PICTURES BUT I FOUND THE BOOK BORING.THE PAGE 8 REFERENCE TO BRADDOCKS VICTORY IS CONFUSING.HE WAS KILLED IN HIS ONLY BATTLE IN THE WAR.

original color plates are missing
Was quite disappointed to find that, unlike some other Osprey combined titles - like "Soldiers of the Revolutionary War" or "The German Army in World War II" - THIS BOOK DOES NOT INCLUDE THE ORIGINAL COLOR PLATES OF ORIGINAL SIZE. All are reduced in size, some are b/w, and most are simply missing. In my opinion Osprey color uniform-related plates and accompanying text make the advantage of these series (MAA, Elite etc), on the other hand I doubt that any of their title may serve as a historical reference to any serious reader (perhaps teenager) due to the material oversimplification. So, if you are looking for color plates - better save your money

Good Introduction To The French and Indian War!
This book, I would say is wonderful for the person who is just getting into French and Indian War history. While the book does not go into huge debth it still provides all of the important basics. The illustrations are wonderfully done. Solid explanation of the diffirent kinds of units and groups which faught in the war are given, along with wonderful drawings. So again, I would say that if you are new to this area of historical study, pick the book up. If you have already studied this time buy it anyway, its a great read. ... Read more

Product Description
In the tradition of his two earlier volumes of Scots-Irish links for the period 1575 to 1725, Mr. Dobson picks up the trails of Scots living in Ulster and Irish living in Scotland during the following hundred years. Unlike the previous century-and-a-half, the destination of most Scots emigrants during the 18th century was across the Atlantic and not to Ulster. The same period also witnessed the beginnings of a large-scale exodus from Ireland to the Americas. Nevertheless, there was some movement of peoples between Ireland and Scotland from 1725 to 1825, and most of it was on the part of students heading for universities in Glasgow or Edinburgh.

While most of the students are described here merely by name, university, and date of attendance, in a number of cases Mr. Dobson is able to provide information on the individual's spouse, children, parents, local origins, landholding, and, of course, the source of the information. ... Read more

Product Description
The American Antiquarian Society inventoried its holdings on the French and Indian War and published its findings in one easy-to-use volume. Herein you will find: the correspondence of Sir William Johnson appears in abbreviated form and covers the years 1 ... Read more

Product Description
This book traces the background and course of the French-Indian War, fought out in the forests, plains and forts of the North American Frontier. Despite early French success against a British Army unskilled in woodland fighting, the British learned quickly from their Native American allies and emerged victorious at Louisbourg and Quebec. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

The American Side of the Seven Years War

All in all, Daniel Marston does a good job in summarizing this conflict.The French and Indian War was essentially the North American theater of operations for the Seven Years War between France and Great Britain. The book provides a good overview of the various campaigns during this war.In addition, Mr. Marston provides a description of the events in the Ohio River Valley that led to hostilities.In about three pages, the author is able to give the reader valuable insight as to the cause of this conflict.

The "Warring Sides" chapter gives an excellent description of the two types of tactics used in this conflict.These types were either linear formations or irregular / frontier tactics.Each side had to overcome a learning curve in determining how best employ each of these tactical formations.This chapter also discusses the differences between regular and provincial units.Often, mistrust would develop, as provincial soldiers were not subject to the same harsh discipline and regular soldiers.Thus, the regulars viewed the provincial units as unreliable and lacking discipline.In turn, the provincials looked at regular units as being ignorant of how to fight in the woods.

On a critical note, some of the maps are out of place and labeled with confusing titles.The Battle of La Belle Famille is listed with the heading of Fort Niagara and is located on page 59; two pages after the narrative of the battle itself.That said, the Quebec Campaign is listed in the middle of its description, as it should be.

The chapter titled "Portrait of a Civilian" is short but fascinating.It discusses the events surrounding two white settlers who were taken hostage by the Indians.The reader will certainly feel sympathy for the female captive, Jean Lowry.She was beaten and had her children taken away.The author then provides a comparison to Titus King, a white man who was also taken captive.Mr. King was treated much better than Mrs. Lowry.At one point, an Indian family adopted him as their grandfather.

The final chapter has a subheading of "Ramifications for the Future" and provides some interesting background information on the American Revolution.Even the most patriotic of Americans will feel some sympathy for the British.The English were essentially caught between honoring their treaty promises to the Indians and the colonist's strong desire to push westward.Clearly, the issue of taxation without representation was not the only point of contention that sparked the American Revolution.

Bottom line, this is a pretty good summary of the war.As with all Osprey books, it is full of maps and illustrations.Some maps are out of place but this is a minor inconvenience.In addition to discussing the battles, Mr. Marston does a fine job of covering military tactics, economic issues, and the rivalry between provincial and regular units.All things considered, this book is worth the time spent reading it.

Excellent overall
I found this book to provide an excellent general overview of an often overlooked period of American colonial history.

I am bemused by the earlier poster Mr. Westbrook's comments regarding the Joshua Goodenough account (which, by the way, forms a fraction of the book's content). The source for this is listed as the Massachusetts Historical Society, which cites this under the Library of Congress heading "Subject(s): United States--History--French and Indian War, 1755-1763-Personal narratives", so clearly the claim for its being fiction is not universally known. (Remington himself claims that it is a real letter.) The surname Goodenough has a well-established Anglo-Saxon history and can be found even today in both England and the US, so by itself is not really sufficient proof of an 19th (or 18th!) century literary joke.

More thoughtful commentary and less of what sounds like backbiting would be welcome in these reviews.

Unreliable
This disappointing book comes from the usually reliable Osprey, but the editors and fact-checkers must have on holiday when this came through.The illustrations are muddy, and many are printed backwards!The real howler is that the author accepts at face-value the account of one of Robert Rogers' supposedRangers, "Joshua Goodenough" (get it?), but written by artist Frederic Remington for Harper's Magazine in 1897.This is certainly NOT an "Essential History" from Osprey.Save your money for the ones that are, and there are plenty of those.

Warfare in the Wilderness
I enjoyed this book with a few exceptions.The "Battle of Grant's Hill" during the Forbes Campaign to take French held Fort Duquesne was poorly researched.The book states that the British destroyed several blockhouses around the fort prior to the battle,when in reality,they only set fire to one which was eventually extinguished.There are several other errors that a little research would have corrected.Otherwise,not a bad book on the F&I War. ... Read more

Product Description
This digital document is an article from Dictionary of American History, brought to you by Gale®, a part of Cengage Learning, a world leader in e-research and educational publishing for libraries, schools and businesses.The length of the article is 2291 words.The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase.You can view it with any web browser.Focuses on cultures and countries around the world, specifically what is and is not shared culturally by the people who live in a particular country. Entries contain descriptive summaries of the country in question, including demographic, historical, cultural, economic, religious, and political information. ... Read more

Product Description
This volume draws together an unusually rich body of original sources that tell the story of the 1704 French and Indian attack on Deerfield, Massachusetts, from different vantage points. Texts range from one of the most famous early American captivity narratives, John Williams s The Redeemed Captive, to the records of French soldiers and clerics, to little-known Abenaki and Mohawk stories of the raid that emerged out of their communities oral traditions. Evan Haefeli and Kevin Sweeney provide a general introduction, extensive annotations, and headnotes to each text.
Although the oft-reprinted Redeemed Captive stands at the core of this collection, it is juxtaposed to less familiar accounts of captivity composed by other Deerfield residents: Quentin Stockwell, Daniel Belding, Joseph Petty, Joseph
Kellogg, and the teenaged Stephen
Williams. Presented in their original form, before clerical editors revised and embellished their content to highlight religious themes, these stories challenge long-standing assumptions about classic Puritan captivity narratives.
The inclusion of three Abenaki and Mohawk narratives of the Deerfield raid is equally noteworthy, offering a rare opportunity not only to compare captors and captives accounts of the same experiences, but to do so with reference to different Native oral traditions. Similarly, the memoirs of French military officers and an excerpt from the Jesuit Relations illuminate the motivations behind the attack and offer fresh insights into the complexities of French-Indian alliances.
Taken together, the stories collected
in this volume, framed by the editors introduction and the assessments of two Native scholars, Taiaiake Alfred and Marge Bruchac, allow readers to reconstruct the history of the Deerfield raid from multiple points of view and, in so doing, to explore the interplay of culture and memory that shapes our understanding of the past. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Coherent, balanced, & well documented
This work skillfully profiles the 1704 raid on Deerfield in sections entitled `Creating Communities,' `The Raid,' `Negotiating Empires,' and `Preserving Communities.' The authors examine assailants and victims in depth to enable the reader to decide who (if anyone) was right or wrong. Formative history, the raid itself, the aftermath, and lasting political significance is admirably related.

A minor criticism is the lack of a wider discussion of the English/Iroquois alliance against the French (e.g. Gabriel Druillettes and Jean Paul Godefroy's rejected mission for mutual alliance at New Haven in 1651; NY Governor Thomas Dongan's declaration of the Iroquois as English subjects in 1683, etc). The English protected and supplied a confederacy that attacked New France and her native allies (Hurons, Ottawas, Eries, Andastes, Delawares, Neutrals, Tobacco, Illinois, etc) mercilessly from 1609-1701. This was a smart move (as Philbrick points out in `Mayflower' - Mohawks were largely responsible for defeating Metacom - King Philip - 1675-6).

The authors don't fully explore the routine, repeated Iroquois assaults involving French families whose members fought at Deerfield (Pierre Boucher and 40 other colonists held off 600 Iroquois at Trois-Rivières in 1653; the previous year the town was devastated by the massacre of it's governor and 21 other habitants. Joseph François Hertel de LaFresnière spent 1661-3 in Iroquois captivity after torture including loss of a thumb and burned limbs). Iroquois assaults on New France make the Deerfield raid look like a walk in the park. On 4 August 1689, for example, 1500 Iroquois attacked Montréal, destroying 56 farms and killing or capturing over a hundred colonists (all with English blessing). The following year Phips unsuccessfully attempted to take Québec with 2000 men and 34 ships.

Another minor entertainment disappointment: the lack of a more robust description of English Imperial efforts (including Admiral Sir Hovenden Walker's leadership of the British attack fleet in 1711, and a wider view of the Mathers, whose history in Salem bears attention). These are, however, minor issues.

This work is a valuable contribution well worth reading. Highly recommended.

Showing the confrontational and friendly relationships between diverse groups of the times
Any collection strong in Native American or early American history should make Captors And Captives: The 1704 French And Indian Raid On Deerfield a collection acquisition: explores the raid from different viewpoints of the raiders, both French-Canadian and Native American, and the Deerfield villages alike, showing the confrontational and friendly relationships between diverse groups of the times. In using the individual experience to provide history and social and cultural insights, Captors And Captives provides an outstanding social coverage.

The most in depth study of the 1704 raid to date.
This books breaks down to what leads up to the most infamous destruction of a town during any of the four French/Indian wars.Very well researched and layed out to make you part of the history thats happening.A play-by-play of the actual attack with excellent reference charts as back-up info as the saga unfolds.I can't say enough about this book,definitely not dry history in any sense.If your a colonial military history buff or a student of the French and Indian wars than this is the one to read. ... Read more