Crucible of War

The Seven Years' War and the Fate of Empire in British North America, 1754-1766

De: Fred Anderson

Narrado por: Paul Woodson

In this vivid and compelling narrative, the Seven Years' War - long seen as a mere backdrop to the American Revolution - takes on a whole new significance. Relating the history of the war as it developed, Anderson shows how the complex array of forces brought into conflict helped both to create Britain's empire and to sow the seeds of its eventual dissolution.

Beginning with a skirmish in the Pennsylvania backcountry involving an inexperienced George Washington, the Iroquois chief Tanaghrisson, and the ill-fated French emissary Jumonville, Anderson reveals a chain of events that would lead to world conflagration. Weaving together the military, economic, and political motives of the participants with unforgettable portraits of Washington, William Pitt, Montcalm, and many others, Anderson brings a fresh perspective to one of America's most important wars, demonstrating how the forces unleashed there would irrevocably change the politics of empire in North America.

©2000 Fred Anderson (P)2018 Tantor

Very well done

I was looking for a book to explain the fighting in North America primarily. As a military history buff I would of loved to learn more about battles in Europe. more on that in a bit.

The author covers the entire North American conflict including politics and culture beautifully. As you read early American history you constantly hear about Braddocks disastrous march as well as Washingtons first war experience. I wanted to learn more and Crucible was great in that respect.

The only thing lacking was details on the war in Europe. Highly recommend regardless.

Superb

The Seven Years War -French and Indian War doesn’t get enough attention except as a prelude to the American Revolution. This is a well researched, well written narrative that any history buff would love. The best book available in the subject.

Great scholarship

It's hard to imagine a more thorough history that would encompass the personages and events of this time more completely and and in such compelling style.

Rewards a Determined Listener

It's a detailed account of a truly momentous conflict that is really hard not to get into if you have any love of history at all. There are some fascinating details, and riveting turns of fortune memorably told. The book and author has a good reputation as far as I can tell, so you can let the author spin his tale and not worry so much about the trustworthiness of the information.

A few bones to chew on: the language is somewhat dated and hard to follow if you are someone who likes to listen to audiobooks casually. You will HAVE to do some outside reading and study some maps. Even after that it can be frustrating at times. For one particularly egregious example, there is Latin that was an inscription on a medallion ordered struck by a general for his men - but the Latin isn't translated!... Terms of art, some quite dated I think, used for military and diplomacy are quite regularly bandied about by the author, for example "bringing a contract to foot" and suchlike, or various terms for different types of gun or old-fashioned bullet/projectile that, I'd assume, you probably don't immediately recognize, but would be able to understand after a quick rundown. Well, you're on your own I'm afraid.

Also, a personal opinion, but I found it to be pretty heavily weighted towards the British perspective and especially light in the Indian perspective, usually favoring a French vs. British framing. The emphasis you come to expect is usually the story of a man in the prime of his life in leadership. Everything else gets a little lost in the shuffle. I can't say more than this given what little I know about history.

The reading is good overall but same minor sorts of complaints.

Don't let me dissuade you, this is a great book/audiobook! You'll probably find yourself interested in learning more about other things going on during this period.

History of Pre-US

This book mostly focuses on the events of the Seven Years War from an American and British point of view. Also, most of the focus was on events in North America. I thought it might mention more about the events of the war in Europe, and it does mention them, but those battles definitely take second stage. I started this book very curious about how 13 colonies, functioning like sudo countries, would become unified later on. I was not disappointed. I also learned a lot of things I had not expected, like how VERY difficult it was to integrate British troops with continental troops in the war, or how strange the Pennsylvania colonial government worked during the 1750-60s. I had also always heard that George Washington got his experience in this war and was surprised to hear how central he was in the beginning.

P.S. I saw some other reviews for this book talking about how terrible colonists treated the Indians or how this book is too politically correct when mentioning the Indians. I just personally wanted to know which was correct. After reading the book I think both readers were just expressing their political views in book review form. There is plenty written about interactions with the Indians here in this book, especially after the end of the invasion of Canada; the empire immediately enters into the Cherokee War, almost as a continuation of the same war. Which explains why Americans remember this as the French and Indian War. We hear about some horrible actions from both sides. Although the empire was not malicious as a policy, certain individuals definitely were. The Indian tribes were not passive recipients of aggression either and fought for the French, British, or self interests as well. But just to remind you, this book is mostly told from an American/British perspective with some French, Canadian, and Indian perspective brought up as needed