Customer Reviews

The French and Indian War 1754-1763

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Schwartz's book "The French and Indian War" is a good, general book about what in Europe was called the Seven Years War. It provides a good foundation of the time-line of engagements, major events of the conflict, and includes numerous historical maps from the period. Overall, I enjoyed the book, but I would of liked to have had a little more detail and depth on the actions of the combats. It was an easy read (about 1 -2 hours) and easily explains the major military events of this first major warfare between European powers (and colonist) that occurred on the continent that would become the United States of America.

This is a well written, concise history of the French and Indian War. It begins with George Washington's mission (1753-1754) to tell the French to get out of the territory, which is important as that is really what starts events in motion that leads to the war. The book covers the rest of the war as well. It can be read in an hour or two. It also contains many wonderful "prints, drawings, maps and portraits." For a concise history of the war, this is an excellent book.
For those interested in a more indepth history, Wilderness Empire by Eckert (for an exciting historical narrative type of writing), Montcalm and Wolfe by Parkman, or Crucible of War by Anderson would be better choices. However, these three books are very, very long indepth hitories.
If one is looking for a well-written, concise history of the War with a multitude of visual aids, then this is THE book. A good book also for those already having a knowledge of the period, who wish to study maps concerning the war. A good book for students also, who are looking for a basic understanding of the war, its causes, and its results.
I rated this book a 3 as a book in general, but if judged as a "concise history of the war with lots of visual aids," it would be a 5. Homeschoolers rejoice!

This book has a very good summary of the French and Indian War. Almost every page is filled with etchings, drawings, or maps. The maps are mostly historical rather than computer generated maps, and it was a quick read, primarily because without the pictures it is only about 100 pages of text.
The text goes into some of the main movements of the war as well as the actual events, and it is written in a lively fashion. A good pickup.

In the intro, the author describes his enthusiasm for antique maps. The book is nothing more than an exhibit of his collection. His descriptions of events in the French & Indian Wars are cursory at best, with references to his maps on nearly every page. His 118 illustrations, nearly all maps, consume over half of the pages. A very disappointing purchase. Believe me, you won't learn a lot from this book!