The French and Indian War was the world’s first truly global conflict. When the French lost to the British in 1763; they lost their North American empire along with most of their colonies in the Caribbean; India; and West Africa. In The French and Indian War and the Conquest of New France; the only comprehensive account from the French perspective; William R. Nester explains how and why the French were defeated. He explores the fascinating personalities and epic events that shaped French diplomacy; strategy; and tactics and determined North America’s destiny. What began in 1754 with a French victory—the defeat at Fort Necessity of a young Lieutenant Colonel George Washington—quickly became a disaster for France. The cost in soldiers; ships; munitions; provisions; and treasure was staggering. France was deeply in debt when the war began; and that debt grew with each year. Further; the country’s inept system of government made defeat all but inevitable. Nester describes missed diplomatic and military opportunities as well as military defeats late in the conflict. Nester masterfully weaves his narrative of this complicated war with thorough accounts of the military; economic; technological; social; and cultural forces that affected its outcome. Readers learn not only how and why the French lost; but how the problems leading up to that loss in 1763 foreshadowed the French Revolution almost twenty-five years later. One of the problems at Versailles was the king’s mistress; the powerful Madame de Pompadour; who encouraged Louis XV to become his own prime minister. The bewildering labyrinth of French bureaucracy combined with court intrigue and financial challenges only made it even more difficult for the French to succeed. Ultimately; Nester shows; France lost the war because Versailles failed to provide enough troops and supplies to fend off the English enemy.
#161157 in Books Richard A Gabriel 2006-03-27Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x .40 x 6.00l; .56 #File Name: 0806137347176 pagesGenghis Khan s Greatest General Subotai the Valiant
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. How is it possible that nomad herders became a military force to rule their world?By Deseret RiderFrom what I know of Mongolia as it exits today it is hard to imagine that Mongols would be able to sustain an army capable of overrunning pretty much the whole of Asia; Russia and much of Europe. This book goes a long way towards explaining the Mongol philosophy of making war and outlines some of the strategies which made them so successful. However; it does not provide a lot of detail ---but is mostly just an overview---sort of a long range history of the Mongol empire. I didn't come away feeling that I really know much about Subotai himself; his personality or detail of his contribution to the Mongol war machine isn't really spelled out in any meaningful detail. It's an interesting read nevertheless. I would have given it another star or two if there had been more analysis of Mongol weaponry and the logistics of how they were able to supply their army. I gave it three stars because i do understand some of what made the Mongols a fearsome force.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Great Book!By CustomerAwesome! Loved it! I hate how Subedei does not get notice much when historians talk about generals. Too bad; I think he was the greatest general to ever lived.7 of 8 people found the following review helpful. Fascinating Look at One of History's Greatest GeneralsBy Virtuoso FanWe all know about Genghis Khan and his charisma as an overall leader of his people as well as an astonishing military genius. But a part of that military genius was his ability to spot and develop talent in his corps and assemble military leadership that probably has no equal in history. The likes of Alexander and Caesar pretty much had to do "everything" themselves. They didn't have the type of talent that Genghis Khan had around him - certainly no one even close to the talent and vision of Subotai. It is amazing to ponder that two of the possibly 10~20 greatest military commanders of all time were on the same side leading their armies together. Looking at things strictly from a military strategy and tactics perspective; Subotai may have exceeded Genghis himself. Certainly; Genghis had an enormous amount of respect for Subotai's skills and talent. Subotai was the de facto "chief of staff" of the Mongol military machine.This book about Subotai is for those who are already fairly familiar with Genghis Khan and the Mongol conquests of the 13th century. I had already read dozens of books about this sweeping subject but only recently have I really started delving into the military strategies and tactics of the Mongols. The more I dug in; the more I realized that I needed to find out more information about Subotai and what he achieved. So that prompted me to get this book at a fairly high cost but I don't regret it one bit. I wasn't really interested in a personal biography of Subotai. I was much more interested in what he did and how he did it; not his personal life or background. This book delivers on that end with a good in-depth analysis of his campaigns and the strategies he employed to overrun such a vast amount of territory in such a dominant fashion.The chapter about his 'Great Cavalry Raid' in 1221~3 through the Caucasus Mountains area in between the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea up to the southwestern Russian regions was one of the most enthralling and fascinating things I have ever read in military history. I'm a military history buff (mainly of ancient warfare up to around the 17th century) and have studied the likes of Alexander; Hannibal; Caesar; Scipio Africanus; etc.; but this cavalry raid through such a vast landmass with a relatively small force (roughly 20;000 or two tumans) doesn't seem to have a parallel in history. Over a 3-year reconnaissance-in-force campaign through this area; the much smaller force led by Subotai destroyed numerous armies much larger in size with guile and sheer military brilliance with superior strategies; tactics; and maneuvers. As I read this chapter; I found my jaws dropping to the floor - "No... that couldn't be... Get outta here!" and laughed out loud in incredulousness.I don't think there is any doubt that Subotai would have conquered western Europe over the following campaign to the West had Ogedai Khan not died unexpectedly in 1241. The Mongol armies led by Subotai had thoroughly conquered and destroyed greater parts of what are now western Russia and most of eastern Europe. The Holy Roman Empire was in no condition to field an army that could even slow down the Mongol juggernaut. Subotai would surely have reached the Atlantic and perhaps as far as Scotland. The Mongols preferred fighting in the cold; after all; they attacked the Russian municipalities during the winter; which even the Russians didn't expect. The Mongols didn't like campaigning or fighting in hot weather and I believe that's the reason why they weren't successful in the Middle East; southeast Asia (areas that are now Vietnam; Thailand; Laos; etc) and India. It seems the Mongols lost interest in those areas and they had their hands full anyway pacifying the various vast territories they had conquered.If you're already familiar with the general history of Genghis Khan and the Mongols and have a specific interest in Mongol military strategies and tactics; I highly recommend this book. Subotai is undoubtedly one of the greatest military commanders of all time and it is no wonder why Genghis Khan and his descendants were so successful in their various military campaigns that were conducted over such an amazingly vast area covering lands from eastern Siberia and Korea all the way west to the eastern fronts of Germany and from areas as far south as Hong Kong all the way to Damascus. It is of a scale; range and scope that is mind-boggling to ponder - especially in that era. In my opinion; it is easily the most impressive empire in history strictly from a military perspective.To me; the Western colonization of the Americas; Africa and Asia during the 16~19th centuries aren't really empires in the true sense of the word. The Mongols had to defeat and conquer much larger and much more powerful empires and nations. The Mongols were almost always heavily outnumbered in their wars against the Chinese kingdoms of Chin and Sung; the Khwarezmian Empire of central Asia; the Arab caliphates in the Middle East; and the Russian and eastern European kingdoms in the West. The Spanish; Portugal; French; and British subjugation of North and South American lands; Africa; and Australia over several hundred years cannot even be compared to what the Mongols achieved over mere 60 years in the 13th century. Subotai was a very big part of the Mongols' unmatched military successes at that time and this book gives you a good idea of how he achieved what he did.
