Synopsis:
A major event in both America's history and the European wars of the nineteenth century, the War of 1812's Battle of Plattsburgh saw the largest invasion ever of a foreign military into the United States, as the British army and navy, fresh from victories against Napoleon, attempted to conquer Lake Champlain and its shores. Their plan was to seize control of key waterways and port cities, a move that would cripple America's defenses. Outnumbered and outgunned, the U. S. land and sea forces fought the British ships and troops to a standstill, allowing the leader of the American fleet, Lieutenant Thomas Macdonough, to carry out a brilliant maneuver which ensured an American victory. Author Fitz-Enz researched and produced a companion PBS documentary that examined the leaders on both sides of the conflict and their actions during the battle. His research brought to light numerous documents, including diaries and secret battle orders, that reveal new insights into the battle. His descriptions of the confrontation in the pages of The Final Invasion bring to vivid life the cannon blasts that tore through ships and their crews and the rush of infantry storming the fortifications around the city. Endorsed by the U. S. Army War College, The Final Invasion is a thrilling look at a pivotal moment in American and world history.
Review:
Colonel David Fitz-Enz has produced what will long stand as the standard account of one of the least known but most decisive military campaigns in American history. Though overshadowed by the burning of Washington, DC, and Jackson's defeat of the British at New Orleans, it was the 1814 campaign in upstate New York that determined the outcome of the War of 1812. During exhaustive research Fitz-Enz uncovered in Portugal a copy of orders sent to Sir George Prevost which lead to judgements much kinder to Sir George Prevost than those of many previous historians. Drawing on his experience as a soldier and a thorough understanding of the setting, both on land and of the nature of Lake Champlain, Fitz-Enz has produced a clear narrative that brings to life the people and events of September 1814 like never before.--James C. Bradford
The Final Invasion is a splendid account of one of the pivotal battles in American history. The books is thoroughly researched and beautifully told. Author Colonel Fitz-Enz relates, in exciting prose, this effort on the part of the British to recapture their priceless North American colonies lost in the Revolutionary War. The story of the battle between the English and American fleets on Lake Champlain in 1814 is a breathtaking blow-by-blow account, bringing out the horror of ship-to-ship encounters in that day.--Vice Admiral James F. Calvert, USN (ret.)
David Fitz-Enz has written a wonderful book on one of the more important but less well-known battles of our country. It tells a compelling story of how a few soldiers and sailors of our new nation defeated the best professionals of the British Army, fresh from defeating Napoleon.--John W. Foss, General of the U. S. Army (retired)
Smoothly Written, well-researched, and comprehensive in approach and scope, The Final Invasion has much to commend and little to question.--Samuel Watson "Book Review Digest "
An admirably well-researched and complete account of the Plattsburgh campaign, which has waited for such treatment for far too long.--Paddy Griffith, Ph. D., author of Wellington--Commander, The Viking Art of War, and Battle Tactics of the Civil War
Here is a carefully researched military history book that will rock you back on your heels and make you edit some of your assertions about past invasions of the United States.--Tulsa World
A highly readable work that serves as a companion book to the PBS documentary and should be in every U. S. history collection.--Library Journal
Fitz-Enz's research has produced illuminating documents, including diaries and secret battle orders, revealing new insights into the battle. This is one of the best books on the War of 1812 currently available.--Military Heritage
Fitz-Enz provides a stirring narrative of the two-hour slugfest that was the Battle of Plattsburgh Bay.--History Teacher
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