The French Navy and the Seven Years' War (France Overseas: Studies in Empire and D) [Hardcover]

Jonathan R. Dull (Author)

Book Description

Series: France Overseas: Studies in Empire and D | Publication Date: May 1, 2005

The Seven Years’ War was the world’s first global conflict, spanning five continents and the critical sea lanes that connected them. This book is the fullest account ever written of the French navy’s role in the hostilities. It is also the most complete survey of both phases of the war: the French and Indian War in North America (1754–60) and the Seven Years’ War in Europe (1756–63), which are almost always treated independently. By considering both phases of the war from every angle, award-winning historian Jonathan R. Dull shows not only that the two conflicts are so interconnected that neither can be fully understood in isolation but also that traditional interpretations of the war are largely inaccurate. His work also reveals how the French navy, supposedly utterly crushed, could have figured so prominently in the War of American Independence only fifteen years later.

 

A comprehensive work integrating diplomatic, naval, military, and political history, The French Navy and the Seven Years’ War thoroughly explores the French perspective on the Seven Years’ War. It also studies British diplomacy and war strategy as well as the roles played by the American colonies, Spain, Austria, Prussia, Russia, Sweden, and Portugal. As this history unfolds, it becomes clear that French policy was more consistent, logical, and successful than has previously been acknowledged, and that King Louis XV’s conduct of the war profoundly affected the outcome of America’s subsequent Revolutionary War.

(20060301)

Editorial Reviews

Review

“A full-dress history of the Seven Years’ War as a whole, from the French perspective. . . . The focus is almost entirely upon grand strategy, diplomacy, and economics and finance; as such it is a first-rate work of serious history. . . . Any serious student of the era will find this a comprehensive history.”—Peyton Moss, ForeWord Magazine

(Jan Glete International Journal of Maritime History 20050701)

"[Dull] has produced a comprehensively researched history of the Seven Year (Lauren E. Heckler Journal of Colonialism and Colonial History 20050801)

"There are a great many books for English-speaking readers concerning the British Royal Navy in the 18th century, but not many that provide solid, well-researched material concerning its greatest rival, the French Navy. Dull helps fill in that gap and provides some much-needed balance with this work. Overall, this is a much-needed study for any scholar interested in this time period or in western naval and maritime history."—Choice

(D.M. Hall Choice 20060323)

"A full-dress history of the Seven Years’ War as a whole, from the French perspective. . . . The focus is almost entirely upon grand strategy, diplomacy, and economics and finance; as such it is a first-rate work of serious history."—Peyton Moss, ForeWord Magazine

(Peyton Moss ForeWord Magazine )

"This excellent book deserves a wide audience. It far surpasses most histories of the Seven Years'' War. . . . This book belongs on the shelf of anyone seriously interested in early American and Atlantic history, French maritime and naval history, and in the history of international relations in the eighteenth century."—James Pritchard, Journal of Military History

(James Pritchard Journal of Military History )

"Those interested in learning the inside story of how governments actually conduct war will find this a fascinating work, and a sobering reflection of how they probably still carry on today."—Robert Guttman, Military History

(Robert Guttman Military History )

"The author weaves diplomatic and strategic issues into the overall story of the naval war."—The NYMAS Review

(The NYMAS Review )

"Dull has written a magisterial history of the war and the role of the French Navy. . . . This history will long stand as the definitive work on the French Navy of the period."—Harold N. Boyer, Sea History

(Harold N. Boyer Sea History )

"An impressive and an important addition to the literature. The French Navy and the Seven Years'' War will for years to come be an essential addition to the library of specialists and students of eighteenth century naval (and diplomatic) history alike."—Olaf Uwe Janzen, Northern Mariner

(Olaf Uwe Janzen Northern Mariner )

"Illuminates the conduct of naval operations by situating them in the wider contexts of the diplomatic negotiations and the land war that were unfolding simultaneously…. A firm, carefully-argued work, which turns out to be far more than a study of the French navy."—Geoffrey Symcox, H-Net Book Reviews

(Geoffrey Symcox H-Net Book Reviews )

"A magnificent book, another tour de force in combined diplomatic, political, and naval history."—N. A. M. Rodger, author of The Safeguard of the Sea: A Naval History of Britain

(N. A. M. Rodger )

About the Author

Jonathan R. Dull is a senior associate editor of The Papers of Benjamin Franklin series and author of the award-winning history The French Navy and American Independence: A Study of Arms and Diplomacy, 1774-1787.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 445 pages
• Publisher: University of Nebraska Press; First edition (May 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803217315
• ISBN-13: 978-0803217317
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.5 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,056,328 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The historical howdunit, June 27, 2005

By 

C. Hamburger (London, England) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The French Navy and the Seven Years' War (France Overseas: Studies in Empire and D) (Hardcover)

I love mysteries, whodunits, and I was gripped by this book in the same way but by the "how" rather than the "who." How did the apparently doomed French Navy survive the Seven Years' War to be a force in the American Revolution, and how did the author combine the monumental mass of information into such a coherent and compelling book? It at first looks a bit intimidating and difficult, but I was swept along by the stunning scholarship and spellbinding story. It's economically written, with not a word wasted, but all even an untutored reader needs to know is there, helpful and fascinating tidbits tucked into parentheses just when you need them. You think the world is complicated now? It truly seems simple and straightforward compared with the middle of the 18th century, but maybe if this author were to apply his military/diplomatic/political historian's tools to produce a whydunit on today's maneuvers and intrigues we'd find it far more labyrinthine than it appears.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars More about diplomacy, July 27, 2005

By 

John Hamill (Roanoke, VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The French Navy and the Seven Years' War (France Overseas: Studies in Empire and D) (Hardcover)

The author of a widely acclaimed book on French involvement in the American Revolution, in his well researched new book, Jonathan Dull focuses more on the convoluted diplomacy of the Seven Years War than he does on the French navy. Dull gives good coverage of the effects of the War of Austrian Succession, and argues that Louis XV did not lack vision. Expansion into Pennsylvania was defensive, and Louis hoped for success in early peace negotiations but was instead rebuffed by the British. The British navy is covered almost as well as the French, but the author integrates diplomacy, land and naval warfare into a coherent year by year narrative of the war. India gets little attention, but the king's private efforts against Russia are, as is the vital importance of the fisheries off the coast of Canada, the retention of which allowed the French navy to rebuild after the war. Money, the politics of the Parlements, and public opinion in Britain all factor into the story. Post-war diplomacy is covered, and the effects of the war on the American Revolution are frequently mentioned. Although it does not match the author's excellent book on the American Revolution, this book is still an excellent addition to the library of anyone who appreciates and enjoys reading about the Seven Years War.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great addition to an interesting war, December 14, 2006

By 

Lehigh History Student (Bethlehem, PA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

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This review is from: The French Navy and the Seven Years' War (France Overseas: Studies in Empire and D) (Hardcover)

The Seven Years war was a devastating time for France and Jonathan Dull tries to explain what happened in this great addition to the literature. It is a quick read and at times gets very heavy into the statistics. The basic problem of the French is they are outgunned and towards the end of the war outmaneuvered almost everywhere. Dull does a wonderful job with clear prose of illustrating this and it is a great book for someone who wants to learn more about the Seven Years war. This is not a good intro book to the war but once you have a basic sense it is a great way to expand your knowledge. It is highly recommend for colonial students that want to learn why the colonies shaped the way they did and how the dominance of France was replaced by an empire where the sun never sets.