Dan Snow (1) (1978–)

This is a very readable - I had difficulty putting it down - story of the campaign to capture Quebec in 1759. I am Canadian, and grew up with a few myths and stories of the campaign and battle that Mr. Snow does a good job of debunking. Above all, the campaign was viciously fought. The Canadians and their First Nations allies waged a petit guerre against the British soldiers, who then retaliated by demolishing what must have been half the habitations in the province. Many civilians died. One of things we moderns forget is that folks is folks. The armies and navies of the 18th Century were comprised of folks, who could be as smart and hard-bitten, or more so, than we can be now. These guys were, for the most part, competent professionals. They did well. The British did better. And this despite the internal politics that are part of the human condition. Highly recommended.… (plus d'informations)

When I was at school in the 1960s Wolfe’s capture of Quebec in 1759 was one of those milestone events in British history that everyone knew. We might not have known much detail beyond the bare facts, but we knew it was a great victory and another step on the way to the British Empire. Of course, all that has changed now as most British schoolchildren know little of their own history other than we were wicked. So, Dan Snow’s book is very timely - it tells many something new and, for us old-timers, sets the record straight.

Wolfe’s victory against a much larger army and an almost impregnable location, battling people who knew the land, weather and rivers as natives with a force mainy used to a very different style of battle in Europe was a great achievement. That is only the half of it. Wolfe did not get on well with his staff officers and generaly despised his naval contingent, even though they were his greatest asset and proed themselves time and again during the campaign.Wolfe did have a great relationship with his common soldiers, most of whom worshipped him.

I had never appreciated the length and complexity of the campaign and siege at Quebec before the battle and Snow describes this well with an exciting and driving narrative. In this book, if perhaps not in reality, the battle and fall of Quebec are a bit of an anti-climax and the post-battle activity rather rushed. It is as if Snow, like the British, after along and difficult Spring and Summer, sees WInter coming and wants to get to the end as soon as he can.

This is a great tale well told with an excellent use of quotation from contemporary sources from both sides.… (plus d'informations)