The French-Indian War 1754-1760 (Essential Histories) [Englisch] [Taschenbuch]

I enjoyed this book with a few exceptions.The "Battle of Grant's Hill" during the Forbes Campaign to take French held Fort Duquesne was poorly researched.The book states that the British destroyed several blockhouses around the fort prior to the battle,when in reality,they only set fire to one which was eventually extinguished.There are several other errors that a little research would have corrected.Otherwise,not a bad book on the F&I War.

All in all, Daniel Marston does a good job in summarizing this conflict. The French and Indian War was essentially the North American theater of operations for the Seven Years War between France and Great Britain. The book provides a good overview of the various campaigns during this war. In addition, Mr. Marston provides a description of the events in the Ohio River Valley that led to hostilities. In about three pages, the author is able to give the reader valuable insight as to the cause of this conflict.

The "Warring Sides" chapter gives an excellent description of the two types of tactics used in this conflict. These types were either linear formations or irregular / frontier tactics. Each side had to overcome a learning curve in determining how best employ each of these tactical formations. This chapter also discusses the differences between regular and provincial units. Often, mistrust would develop, as provincial soldiers were not subject to the same harsh discipline and regular soldiers. Thus, the regulars viewed the provincial units as unreliable and lacking discipline. In turn, the provincials looked at regular units as being ignorant of how to fight in the woods.

On a critical note, some of the maps are out of place and labeled with confusing titles. The Battle of La Belle Famille is listed with the heading of Fort Niagara and is located on page 59; two pages after the narrative of the battle itself. That said, the Quebec Campaign is listed in the middle of its description, as it should be.

The chapter titled "Portrait of a Civilian" is short but fascinating. It discusses the events surrounding two white settlers who were taken hostage by the Indians. The reader will certainly feel sympathy for the female captive, Jean Lowry. She was beaten and had her children taken away. The author then provides a comparison to Titus King, a white man who was also taken captive. Mr. King was treated much better than Mrs. Lowry. At one point, an Indian family adopted him as their grandfather.

The final chapter has a subheading of "Ramifications for the Future" and provides some interesting background information on the American Revolution. Even the most patriotic of Americans will feel some sympathy for the British. The English were essentially caught between honoring their treaty promises to the Indians and the colonist's strong desire to push westward. Clearly, the issue of taxation without representation was not the only point of contention that sparked the American Revolution.

Bottom line, this is a pretty good summary of the war. As with all Osprey books, it is full of maps and illustrations. Some maps are out of place but this is a minor inconvenience. In addition to discussing the battles, Mr. Marston does a fine job of covering military tactics, economic issues, and the rivalry between provincial and regular units. All things considered, this book is worth the time spent reading it.

This disappointing book comes from the usually reliable Osprey, but the editors and fact-checkers must have on holiday when this came through. The illustrations are muddy, and many are printed backwards! The real howler is that the author accepts at face-value the account of one of Robert Rogers' supposed Rangers, "Joshua Goodenough" (get it?), but written by artist Frederic Remington for Harper's Magazine in 1897. This is certainly NOT an "Essential History" from Osprey. Save your money for the ones that are, and there are plenty of those.