The War of Jenkins' Ear

The Forgotten Struggle for North and South America: 1739-1742

By: Robert Gaudi

Narrated by: Paul Heitsch

Length: 12 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

In the early eighteenth century, the British and Spanish Empires were fighting for economic supremacy in the Americas. Tensions between the two powers were high, and wars blossomed like violent flowers for nearly a hundred years, from the War of Spanish Succession, culminating in the War of Jenkins' Ear.

This war would lay the ground work for the French and Indian War and, eventually, the War of the American Revolution. The War of Jenkins' Ear was a world war in the truest sense, engaging the major European powers on battlefields ranging from Europe to the Americas to the Asian subcontinent.

Yet the conflict that would eventually become known as the War of Jenkins' Ear is barely known to us today. Yet it would cost fifty-thousand lives, millions in treasure, and over six hundred ships.

Even though it happened decades before American independence, The War of Jenkins' Ear reveals that this was truly an American war; a hard-fought, costly struggle that determined the fate of the Americas, and in which, for the first time, American armies participated.

In this definitive work of history, The War of Jenkins' Ear explores the war that established the future of two entire continents.

©2021 Robert Gaudi (P)2022 Tantor

Best History book of 2022

Very well done. Very entertaining. I disagree vociferously with the previous reviewer, the book doesn't meander, LIFE does

Fruit from the Poisoned Tree

I was enjoying this book, but when the author compared Spanish slave pricing to the 3/5ths compromise, I immediately thought "What else is this author ignorant of in his knowledge?" Many people who have never read or understand the 3/5ths Compromise would peddle a narrative that doesn't make sense. These people believe that it (3/5ths Compromise) was inserted into the Constitution to allow the institution of slavery to continue and to further denigrate the African slave. Those who understand both the situation in the new and fractious United States under the Articles of Confederation and the intent of the compromise know better. I would implore anyone ignorant of the words, the actual words of the article to not only read it, but to inquire about it with Constitutional scholars and historians on the subject to expand their understanding. listening to ignorant and uneducated narratives only further the divide over this contentious subject.

Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons, including those bound to Service for a term of years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three-fifths of all other Persons

Whack A Mole

Words that come to mind: Whack A Mole history and meandering. While listening to this book on Audible I found it easy to loose focus and to think of other topics. The story might or might not be accurate but I was left with the feeling of not completely trusting it’s accuracy or conclusions. Possibly other authors might provide a better focus on what is a great bit of history.

Need a new narrator

I was very excited about this book, and wanted to be very interested in this time in history but the narrator made it very difficult to listen too.