Guns at the Forks (Pitt Paperback ; 152) [Paperback]

Walter O'Meara (Author)

Book Description

Series: Pitt Paperback ; 152 | Publication Date: July 28, 2005

Guns at the Forks is a special reissue commemorating the 250th anniversary of the French and Indian War.  In a spirited, intelligent, and informative history, O’Meara tells the story of five successive forts, particularly Fort Duquesne and Fort Pitt, and the dramatic part they played in the war between 1750 and 1760. He describes Washington’s capitulation at Fort Necessity, Braddock’s defeat at the Monongahela, and Forbes’s successful campaign to retake Fort Duquesne.  Although most of the action in the book takes place at the strategically important forks of the Ohio, where present-day Pittsburgh stands, O’Meara’s narrative relates the two forts to the larger story of the French and Indian War and elucidates their roles in sparking a global conflict that altered the course of world events and decided the fate of empires.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“A lively account of the fighting at the forks of the Ohio River between 1750 and 1760.”
—American Historical Review

“Careful searching of source materials, judicious interpretation, and superior style have created a work of major significance for the first critical period in the history of Appalachia.”
—Appalachian Notes

From the Back Cover

"A lively account of the fighting at the forks of the Ohio River between 1750 and 1760."--American Historical Review

"Careful searching of source materials, judicious interpretation, and superior style have created a work of major significance for the first critical period in the history of Appalachia."--Appalachian Notes

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 280 pages
• Publisher: University of Pittsburgh Press; 2nd edition (July 28, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0822953099
• ISBN-13: 978-0822953098
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,440,578 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well done, May 10, 2004

By 

Peter Ingemi (Worcester County, Massachusetts United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Guns at the Forks (Pitt Paperback ; 152) (Paperback)

Excellent account of Ft. Pitt /Duquesne and its use in the French and Indian war.

Using written reports from both side and a familarity with the ground O'Meara does a fine job making a vivid picture of the English, French and the Indians (yes I said Indians) in between. You see all three sides in this quest for the control of the waterways vying for position and when possible using each other.

This book was written in the mid 60's and the total lack of political correctness shows to the joy of the reader. It is a pleasure to see an author willing to call the roasting alive of a prisoner what it was , savage! That this is a parallel to some reporting of events to day make it even more relevent.

One final note. The truth of the Fog of war is illustrated as both side seemed to have no true idea of what they were facing and were released from their ignorance only when events or luck overtook them. This is a truth of war that never ends.

Very much worth adding to your home library.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Annalysis of the Struggle for Pittsburgh, February 29, 2000

By 

texmexfla "Seeker of Truth" (Houston, Texas United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Guns at the Forks (Pitt Paperback ; 152) (Paperback)

This is a 270 page must-read history of the British, French, and Indian struggle for control of the point where the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers meet to form the Ohio River.

The book includes maps, pictures, diagrams, photos, index and bibliography. The author manages to present a balanced approach, and cuts through many long believed myths, with a rational, easy to understand style.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another great piece of history on the first frontier., February 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Guns at the Forks (Pitt Paperback ; 152) (Paperback)

This book dovetails all important historical accounts of the French & Indian war as well as the Revolution. Mr. OMeara brings great men such as, Robert Rogers, Gen. Braddock, Gen. Washington and even Benedict Arnold (when he was a good guy) into play. It is a virtual potpourri of who's who, and how they connect with the current Pittsburgh area. It brings out many small,yet certanily not insignificant, facts about these men and many others. Read about one of George Washingtons first blunders as a leader of an army, and how Gen. Braddock had marched an army in the dead of winter into the harsh wilderness to meet the Marque de Montcalm, and ultimately his fate. Again a must read for those who seek the truth about the Colonial era.