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imbrenda's review against another edition
5.0
Essential reading for anyone with an interest in early American history. The American Revolution is so much clearer.
doctormabuse's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
cj_lovesbooks's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
This book really is the go-to-book about the French & Indian War. From the title (referencing the Seven Year’s War) I thought there would be more details about the war in Europe. It is discussed but more in relation to how the war in Europe impacts the global stage and the fighting in America and the Caribbean. But the books offers the most in-depth analysis about the French & Indian War I’ve read and the in-depth look at Native America politics that I found fascinating.
This books did take me several months to finish. It’s broken into manageable chapters and I found myself reading a chapter a night, which helped with retention. This book is very dense and throws a lot of information and people at you.
I fee as though this war often gets glossed over as a prequel to the American Revolution so it was nice to read about it in it’s own right.
This books did take me several months to finish. It’s broken into manageable chapters and I found myself reading a chapter a night, which helped with retention. This book is very dense and throws a lot of information and people at you.
I fee as though this war often gets glossed over as a prequel to the American Revolution so it was nice to read about it in it’s own right.
pemuth59's review against another edition
5.0
How did I miss this one? It was published in 2000. Maybe it’s because the so-called “French and Indian War” (the rest of the world calls it the “Seven Year’s War”) is sometimes lost in the glory of the American Revolution. After all, there aren’t many movies about the conflict (maybe “Last of the Mohicans?”), let alone lavish musicals like “1776.” And its conclusion isn’t generally celebrated by fireworks and family cookouts.
This a big book is many ways. Yes, it’s pretty long, but it tells a fascinating and crucial story of a too-overlooked conflict. And the conflict(s) went on for twelve years. Anderson paints vivid portraits of the leading players on all sides, include some downright funny observations. This is living history, not dry academic stuff.
As Fred Anderson reminds us in his masterful “Crucible of War: The Seven Years' War and the Fate of Empire in British North America, 1754 - 1766," the “French and Indian” part of the conflict's name is a misnomer. This war was fought between the French and the British, including its American colonists, with Native Americans on both sides, depending on the tribe and which side their leaders thought would be generally more sympathetic. The author does an excellent job of explaining the crucial cultural and wartime differences of native peoples in the 18th century -- and this makes up some of most enlightening sections of Anderson’s narrative.
Anderson emphasizes through each twist and turn that this war laid the groundwork for the Big Event itself, especially in the ugly, demeaning way the colonial soldiers and civilians were treated by the British troops and, especially, officers. Across the colonies, the war and its side effects were an eye-opening experience for colonists who saw themselves as loyal British allies. Through multiple storylines, Anderson makes a convincing argument that there probably would not have been an American Revolution without this history-making, well, crucible.
History fans might well have a harder time understanding the evolution (and outcome) of the American Revolution without this book. OK, that's a big claim, but try it out for yourselves. You'll find it more than worth your time.
This a big book is many ways. Yes, it’s pretty long, but it tells a fascinating and crucial story of a too-overlooked conflict. And the conflict(s) went on for twelve years. Anderson paints vivid portraits of the leading players on all sides, include some downright funny observations. This is living history, not dry academic stuff.
As Fred Anderson reminds us in his masterful “Crucible of War: The Seven Years' War and the Fate of Empire in British North America, 1754 - 1766," the “French and Indian” part of the conflict's name is a misnomer. This war was fought between the French and the British, including its American colonists, with Native Americans on both sides, depending on the tribe and which side their leaders thought would be generally more sympathetic. The author does an excellent job of explaining the crucial cultural and wartime differences of native peoples in the 18th century -- and this makes up some of most enlightening sections of Anderson’s narrative.
Anderson emphasizes through each twist and turn that this war laid the groundwork for the Big Event itself, especially in the ugly, demeaning way the colonial soldiers and civilians were treated by the British troops and, especially, officers. Across the colonies, the war and its side effects were an eye-opening experience for colonists who saw themselves as loyal British allies. Through multiple storylines, Anderson makes a convincing argument that there probably would not have been an American Revolution without this history-making, well, crucible.
History fans might well have a harder time understanding the evolution (and outcome) of the American Revolution without this book. OK, that's a big claim, but try it out for yourselves. You'll find it more than worth your time.