This is a heroic attempt to bring together from English sources a complete list of emigrants to the New World from 1607 to 1660. No doubt records of passengers leaving for America were kept in this period; but while no systematic record has survived; the remaining records are substantial. Some were collected and published by John Camden Hotten over 100 years ago; and they were the passenger lists he found in the British State Papers. Since then a great many sources have been found and the time has been long overdue for these facts to be assembled in one comprehensive book. Hence the publication of this work by the English scholar Peter Wilson Coldham; the leading authority on early English emigration records. His book is a reworking of the Chancery records and records of the Exchequer; the 1624 and 1625 censuses of Virginia; the records of licenses and examination of persons wishing to "pass beyond the seas." To Hotten's basic list; which he has revised and augmented to 1668; Coldham has added fascinating records of vagrants; waifs; and prostitutes who were transported to the colonies. He has also added new transcriptions of records--not in Hotten--of servants sent to "foreign plantationes" from Bristol; 1654-1660. And he has added much more from port books; court records; and from any types of official papers and documents. As a result this book is a stupendous achievement.
#1024933 in Books Michael V Leggiere 2014-01-29Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.10 x 1.70 x 6.30l; .0 #File Name: 0806144092568 pagesBlucher Scourge of Napoleon Campaigns and Commanders Series
Review
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful. Excellent biography of Gebhard von BlucherBy Steven PetersonWhen people know anything about Blucher; it is likely that he helped the Duke of Wellington close out Napoleon's military history at Waterloo. However; there is far more to that in the story of Blucher. The book is functionally written and contains a considerable depth of material about the subject.One of the key takeaways about Blucher is his patience. He was let go from his military career and had to wait well over a decade before he returned to a military position. He advanced slowly through the ranks; only to get a major command fairly late in his life. The book does a nice job of describing the arc of his life--from his youth through his own developing family life and so on.But it is also focused on his military career. He rose through the ranks; making a name for himself as a leader of a cavalry unit; he often led from the front and earned the respect of his men. Over time; he took part in some of the most important battles of the day--Jena; Auerstedt; Leipzig; and Ligny/Waterloo. Sometimes; he took his licks; other times he was triumphant. Despite his advanced age; he adopted more "modern" military principles; somewhat akin to Napoleon's body of work.The book explores his military vision; his successes; and his failures. The last chapter is something like a "lessons learned" about Blucher's craft.Given the massive armies involved; it would have been useful to have an occasional "order of battle" to keep track of armies and corps and even; perhaps; divisions. Also; the maps were helpful; but could have been more transparent.If interested in the dynamics of the Napoleonic era from a Prussian perspective; this volume will do nicely.5 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Solid biography of important figure in Napoleonic WarsBy Andrew F. SaxeI would give this book a qualified recommendation.Professor Leggiere has performed an admirable service by bringing to English readers considerable research done in Prussian/German archives and secondary sources. Often English language versions of the Napoleonic Wars focus on Wellington in Spain and Waterloo; or on Napoleon himself. Russians; Austrians; and especially the Prussians get short shrift; despite their considerable contributions to the ultimate downfall of the French Emperor. In fact; one could argue that Blücher's decision after the defeat at Ligny in June of 1815 to retreat north and west; towards Wellington but away from his own supplies and reinforcements; was the single most critical decision of that world changing campaign. Given that; and the Prussian contribution in 1814; it is high time well assembled studies of the Prussian be undertaken.Mr. Leggiere has done a yeoman's job.Unfortunately; the book is not for the uninitiated. The reader needs to know this material well for the book to provide real value. Mr. Leggiere does not provide context well. We are often thrown into campaigns with little understanding of their origins and goals. He offers very detailed descriptions of troop movements without sufficient accompanying maps; so the reader quickly becomes lost in the names of towns and rivers. An open atlas of Germany; France and Belgium is required at almost all times. Similarly; Leggiere fails to paint full portraits of the characters in this drama. The names of generals are introduced with little explanation; with the assumption perhaps that the reader already knows who they were and what role they played.Professor Leggiere also fails to paint a portrait of the broader world. What did it mean to grow up in Swedish Pomerania? How did that effect Blücher's view of his own nationalism (not really discussed until the very end). What made Scharnhorst and Gneisenau retain their faith in him from 1807 to 1813 despite Blücher's increasingly erratic and irascible behavior. And why did these powerful intellects consider the ill-schooled Blücher to be just the man for the job? Why did King Frederick William III tolerate Blücher's hectoring letters or his constant demands for money? Why didn't Blücher comprehend the precarious position of the Prussian Kingdom? How was Blücher viewed by key reformers - Hardenberg; Humboldt; Stein and the others. What role did Queen Louise play in promoting and protecting Blücher (references; but little actual material is provided). Given also that members of the Royal family fought in the campaigns in 1814-1815; what did Prince Wilhem (brother of the King) and young Prince Wilhem (son of the King and later Kaiser) think of the old Field Marshall? And what did they convey to the King?What did it mean that Blücher and Gneisenau; both non-Prussians (Gneisenau was a Saxon) rose to command the Prussian forces in 1813-15 and how did the court party; best represented by Bülow; respond to this slight. Curiously Wellington was Anglo-Irish; and Napoleon Corsican; so all the commanders who met at Waterloo began life as members of financially struggling lower gentry with complicated national identities.That said; Napoleonic History has suffered a serious gap because of the absent research on the Prussians. Professor Leggiere has begun to address it.7 of 8 people found the following review helpful. So who won at Waterloo?By Dick from New HampshireAnglophones are confidently advised that the Duke of Wellington beat Napoleon at Waterloo; Blucher's arrival was late in the battle and but a sideshow. But was it? Or did the Duke just fight a holding battle while waiting for Blucher to arrive and save the day? Sure wish I knew what German kids are taught about Waterloo; it might be a little different from the British version.As you look at the book's cover portrait; you realize that this; by God; is a Prussian Field Marshal; and no mistake!Leggiere is an authority on the Napoleonic Wars (see his The Fall of Napoleon; which I also recommend); but he traces Blucher's frustrating career from well before Napoleon's rise. You see him rise from a young; dissipated Hussar to a master of combined forces strategy and tactics. You will also see how Metternich's grand strategy prolonged the war and required Wellington to ultimately fight a do-or-die battle at Waterloo.
