ePub Northern Armageddon: The Battle of the Plains of Abraham and the Making of the American Revolution by D. Peter MacLeod in History

Review

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Very good analysis of the battle for QuebecBy Steven PetersonThis is a welcome book on the battle for Quebec; which helped determine the outcome of the so-called French and Indian War. The focus in this book is that climactic battle; although it also provides a context for the struggle. The British had had difficulties fighting the French mixed forces (regular army; militia; and Native Americans) and the French were apparently well situated in their defense of Quebec.One point made by the author is that Quebec's defense was enhanced immensely by a geological formation going back 500;000 years. The Quebec Promontory was a raised formation six miles long and a half mile wide. Attackers had to scale a steep slop up from the river and elsewhere along the promontory. Quebec and French forces held that piece of ground.The leader of the French forces at Quebec was General Montcalm; who had established a pretty good record in the war. On the English side? General Wolfe. The English; with their fleet; had control of the river. The French forces--and citizens of Quebec--struggled with acquiring enough food and other needed goods. There is a nice discussion of how the French strove to create logistics to provide food and other needed goods.Wolfe and the English were quite frustrated in trying to take Quebec. Oddly enough; after his successes; Montcalm was "down" over his view of the French prospects. The story continues. . . . Observing the Promontory along the St. Lawrence River; he came to see that an attack might be made. And; because they saw the heights as unscalable; the French had only small forces guarding the heights. As many know; Wolfe was able to bring his troops up the steep grade to the Plains of Abraham. When the French became aware of this; they moved to meet the British.. Montcalm seemed to lose control of events.The battle was difficult. In the aftermath; with the French withdrawing and both commanding generals dead; the British moved to put Quebec under siege. Pretty much all that was left to defend to city were militia. With food supplies dwindling and British cannonades; morale dropped. The story goes on to consider the second battle of the Plains of Abraham (I had not realized that there was a second battle!). Although the French won the contest; it was too late. Quebec fell; the French retreated; and the inevitable British victory ensued.This book does a fine job outlining the process in detail; providing much information. The aftermath; too; is discussed. This book is worthy of being added to one's library.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Facinating HistoryBy CustomerThis is excellent and detailed coverage of the pivotal battle in the French Indian War portion of the world-wide Seven Years War - interesting and little known details of the various efforts leading up the fall of Quebec including the very tenuous 'hold' the British actually had over Quebec during the winter months until relief arrived in the spring - British ships and not French that arrived first; many facts regarding the naval aspects of this campaign including how 18th century landings were carried out; numerous details about the civilians (on both sides) and how the Canadians survived the British bombardments... a fascinating part of our American founding (what if the British kept the Caribbean islands and left Canada to the French in The Treaty of Paris - would the colonists have been so ready to over-throw the British who were 'protecting' them from the French and Indians to west?) presented in a wonderfully well written and engrossing manner! An excellent book - very highly recommended!1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Good HistoryBy Allie RamseyFor history lovers the book was well worth reading. It was thoroughly researched and provided a good picture of all out warfare against everyone; including civilians. Wolfe is depicted as a merciless warrior who used any means to conquer Montreal. The hero of the Battle of Culloden was a careful leader and quick to seize opportunities; but completely focused on victory to the exclusion of everything else.