Product Description
The Battle of the Plains of Abraham is one of the pivotal events in North American and global history. This clash between British general James Wolfe and French general Louis-Joseph de Montcalm on September 13, 1759, led to the British victory in the Seven Years' War in North America, which in turn led to the creation of Canada and the United States as we know them today.
Rooted in original research, featuring quotations and images that have never appeared before, Northern Armageddon immerses the reader in the campaign, battle and siege through the eyes of dozens of participants, such as British sailor William Hunter, four Quebec residents enduring the bombing of their city and a teenage Huron warrior. Shifting from perspective to perspective, we move from the bombardment of Quebec to the field of combat, where Montcalm and Wolfe gave their orders but thousands of individual soldiers determined the outcome of the battle. In the final chapters, MacLeod traces the battle's impact on Canada, the United States, both countries' Aboriginals and the world, from 1759 into the twenty-first century.
Rooted in original research, featuring quotations and images that have never appeared before, Northern Armageddon immerses the reader in the campaign, battle and siege through the eyes of dozens of participants, such as British sailor William Hunter, four Quebec residents enduring the bombing of their city and a teenage Huron warrior. Shifting from perspective to perspective, we move from the bombardment of Quebec to the field of combat, where Montcalm and Wolfe gave their orders but thousands of individual soldiers determined the outcome of the battle. In the final chapters, MacLeod traces the battle's impact on Canada, the United States, both countries' Aboriginals and the world, from 1759 into the twenty-first century.
Reviews/Praise
“Writing with a keen eye for the dramatic, MacLeod tells this story in a big way, giving equal parts to each side . . . The events of the battle are finely rendered, and MacLeod makes a strong case for their importance as a precursor to the American Revolution.” —Publishers Weekly
“MacLeod explores the extent of Quebec’s insurmountable natural defenses and Wolfe’s inability to overcome them . . . The author’s strong knowledge of every aspect of the fight prevails to produce an intricate, enlightening account . . . Students of American history will appreciate the detail and the thoroughness of this account of what Churchill called the ‘first world war.’ ” —Kirkus
“Significantly advances our understanding of the naval role in the battle of the Plains of Abraham and excels all previous studies . . . A vibrant portrait . . . A visceral narrative . . . Persuasive.” —The Wall Street Journal
"MacLeod, a pre-Confederation historian at the Canadian War Museum, has written what is surely the definitive account of the battle" —Canadian Geographic
"Northern Armageddon is riveting, human and thoroughly engaging, a must-read for anyone hoping to understand Canada." —Ottawa Citizen