"A Few Acres of Snow": The Saga of the French and Indian Wars: England, France and the Struggle for the American Continent - Hardcover

Leckie, Robert

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0471246905 ISBN 13: 9780471246909

Publisher: Jossey Bass, 1999

Synopsis

Robert Leckie provides a panoramic history of the savage conflict between England and France (1689-1759) in pre-Revolutionary America, which resulted in British supremacy on the North American continent. The period covers four wars: The War of the Grand Alliance (1689-98), called "King William's War" by the English; the War of the Spanish Succession (1701-14) or "Queen Anne's War"; the War of the Austrian Succession (1740-48), or "King George's War"; and the Seven Years War (1756-63), or "The French and Indian War." The account culminates in the confrontation on the Plains of Abraham where Wolfe died triumphant, and, as Leckie proposes, Montcalm died with the knowledge that he had been betrayed. The protagonists profiled include George Washington, Samuel de Champlain, Count Frontenac, Gen. Edward Braddock, William Pitt, James Wolfe, Lt. Col. Thomas Gage, Marquis Montcalm and many others.

About this title

From the Back Cover

King Louis XV of France was in conversation with Voltaire when he received the dreadful news that Canada was no longer French, but British. Aware of his sovereign′s anguish, Voltaire spoke to him consolingly:

• "After all, Sire, what have we lost a few acres of snow?"

  To read this expansive book is to recognize Voltaire′s wry consolation as one of the greatest understatements in history.

  Indeed, "A Few Acres of Snow": The Saga of the French and Indian Wars which spans seven tumultuous decades of pre–Revolutionary American history comprises much more than its subtitle suggests. By the time readers reach the climactic seven–year struggle of the French and Indian War, acclaimed military historian Robert Leckie has already illuminated in unrivaled detail the brutal combat, passionate conviction, and rugged determination behind the preceding three great colonial wars between England and France: the War of the Grand Alliance (King William′s War), the War of the Spanish Succession (Queen Anne′s War), and the War of the Austrian Succession (King George′s War).

  As in his previous bestselling historical sagas, Leckie imbues this latest with his celebrated sense of drama and eye for colorful, cinematic detail. His graphic, up–close depictions of countless battles waged through the trackless American wilderness speak powerfully to the horror and misery of the violent struggle.

  "A Few Acres of Snow" is particularly effective for its close attention to the far–reaching political and cultural origins leading up to the North American conflict hearkening all the way back to the twilight of medieval times. From the increasing fragility of Christianity′s supremacy in an age of discovery and expansion, to the intricate machinations and power plays of kings and queens, to the emergence of an astonishingly lowborn illiterate named Christopher Columbus, Leckie provides perspective on exactly how the "New World" came to be such a fiercely contested prize in Western civilization. Packed with profiles of all the major players including George Washington, Samuel de Champlain, William Pitt, Edward Braddock, Count Frontenac, James Wolfe, Thomas Gage, and the nobly vanquished Marquis Montcalm "A Few Acres of Snow" culminates brilliantly in the savage, decisive confrontation at Quebec′s Plains of Abraham. Here the book affords readers an intimate look at the poignancy and paradox of Wolfe′s triumphant death. Also, Leckie compellingly suggests for the first time that Montcalm died knowing full well that he had been betrayed.

  In the long view, Leckie′s sweeping account shows us exactly why we speak English today instead of French and reminds us how easily things might have gone the other way.

  Critical Acclaim for Robert Leckie.

  "A powerful book that pulls no punches." The New York Times Book Review for Delivered from Evil: The Saga of World War II.

  "Even Professor James McPherson′s matchless Battle Cry of Freedom is challenged by the narrative excellence of None Died in Vain." The Los Angeles Times for None Died in Vain: The Saga of the Civil War.

  "Leckie treats not the causes of our wars, nor the controversies that always attend them, nor their results, so often equivocal, debatable, or flatly disappointing, but the manner in which they were fought, their leadership, their pages of glory and shame. . . . Mr. Leckie′s volume has four cardinal virtues: compassion, accuracy, color, and boldness in the delivery of judgments upon movements of men." Allan Nevins, Saturday Review for The Wars of America: From 1600 to 1992.

  "In lively style, this retelling of the story of the American Revolution . . . draws vivid portraits of the war′s principals . . . [and] summarizes the principal battles in lucid fashion. In superb depictions of the British leaders and the British homefront Leckie also adds details rarely found in popular American histories and, unlike some historians, he doesn′t neglect the southern war the battle of Camden, Cowpens, and King′s Mountain." Kirkus Reviews for George Washington′s War: The Saga of the American Revolution.

About the Author

ROBERT LECKIE is the author of over 30 books on military history, including George Washington's War: The Saga of the American Revolution, None Died in Vain: The Saga of the Civil War, and, most recently, Okinawa: The Last Battle of World War II.

Edition details

• Publisher: Jossey Bass
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 0471246905
• ISBN 13: 9780471246909
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 400