French Fortresses in North America 1535-1763: "Québec, Montréal, Louisbourg and New Orleans" [Paperback]

Rene Chartrand (Author), Alina Illustrazioni (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: Fortress | Publication Date: March 20, 2005

Following the discovery of America by Columbus in 1492, European colonists brought their system of fortification to the New World in an attempt to ensure their safety and consolidate their conquests. French and British explorers came later to North America, and thus the establishment of their sizeable settlements only got under way during the 17th century. The inhabitants of New France built elaborate fortifications to protect their towns and cities. This book provides a detailed examination of the defenses of four of them: Québec, Montréal and Louisbourg in Canada, and New Orleans in Louisiana.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

René Chartrand was born in Montréal. A senior curator with Canada's National Historic Sites for nearly three decades, he is now a freelance writer and historical consultant. He has written numerous articles and books including some 30 Osprey titles. He lives in Gatineau, Québec, with his wife and two sons.

Product Details

• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (March 20, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 184176714X
• ISBN-13: 978-1841767147
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 0.2 x 9.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,087,409 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars when the french came to New France they built to stay, April 23, 2005

By 

Michael N. Ryan (Bel AIr, Maryland USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: French Fortresses in North America 1535-1763: "Québec, Montréal, Louisbourg and New Orleans" (Paperback)

This book by Rene Chartrand is a delight read. Most informative about the fortified towns the French built in New France. I found it peticularly interesting since no other work on the subject exists. Quebec and Louisbourg being historic sights of American military history have always facinated me. Well illustrated and well detailed for the novice to read and understand.

However, no critic is truly satisfied, and I have my wants.
1. I wish the author had illustrated and detailed the cannons the French used for their fortifications.

2. I wish he had provided a map of the continent showing where the cities are.

3. The author illustrated the outlying forts of Montreal, ( fort Senneville, fort de la Montagne, and fort Longeuill), I wish he had done similar work with the Louisbourg Royal Battery and Island Battery, rather than use period illustration. Just as I wish he had detailed a few of the bastions and provided a map showing the relaiton of the fortifications to each other.

This is a must for anyone interested in this period.

Now if the author could go on and do a sequel of French forts of North America with Fort Duqusne, Fort Niagare, Fort Carrillon (Ticonderoga). Perhaps also the English forts such as Fort Pitt and Fort William Henry.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars French Fortresses in North America 1535-1763: "Québec, Montréal, Louisbourg and New Orleans", April 5, 2010

By 

Bayou City Writer (Houston, Texas USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: French Fortresses in North America 1535-1763: "Québec, Montréal, Louisbourg and New Orleans" (Paperback)

Title a bit misleading..........

When i saw the title of this book I instantly jumped for it, being a fan of french military history in the north america, especially since the title includes fortress of new orleans. Sad to say there were only six pages devoted to new orleans, with no intricate, detailed illustrations that accompanied Louisbourg, Montreal and Quebec. If you are interested in the canadian fortresses, by all means buy this title, but if you are interested in the fortifications of new orleans and louisiana, look on wikipedia instead, you will find much more detailed info.