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25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Remarkable Work, October 15, 2002
This review is from: Saratoga: Turning Point of America's Revolutionary War (Paperback)
With all of the buzz in historical circles about the works of McCullough and Morris, it seems there are current authors who are not recognized for the fine work they do. Ketcham is one such author. This is a superb account of the campaign which truly broke England's hold on the American colonies. There are several distinguishing aspects in this account...one being the amount of information presented concerning the English view of the campaign. Most American historians seem to accentuate only the American side, however, the inclusiveness of Ketcham's account in terms of English plans and execution adds much to what could have been just an account from the colonial perspective. My wife and I had the opportunity to tour the battlefield this past summer and this really fleshed out what we experienced during our trip. Ketcham's account of the role played by Native Americans in this series of battles is also a revelation. This book is totally accessible to anyone regardless of their historical background. I would compare this book in quality to the recent biographies of John Adams and Theodore Roosevelt. If you are at all interested in the colonial period or the American Revolution, I would definitely commend this book to you. We are so lucky to be living in a time when so many great histories and biographies are so readily available.
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14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Historic battle come alive in this narrative...., April 9, 2000
I read this book when it first came out and was enthralled. I happen to live in the Lake Goerge/Saratoga region, and know the surroundings he describes VERY well. I have visited many of the sites mentioned in the text. Believe me, his perspective on the landscpapes, and the hardships of travel in this locality are very accurate. Like many reviewers comments, he has a way of description that brings the pages to life. The struggle and turmoil of the local people invloved and their undecided nature was well written. How the locals in the region took to this invasion from the north, and how they eventually rallied just in time to thwart their advance at (old) Saratoga was right on the money. Surprisingly, the Parks, and Historical sites that remain today, as well as some of the "areas" left somewhat untouched by history, still give one the sense of wonder. If you find it incredible how these armies could advance through some of the terrain he describes, you would be twice as surprised by actually seeing it as I have. As I read this narrative, I was fortunate that I could place myself exactly where he describes the campaign and visualize from his text and my own perspective from visits I have made. I could tell that this author had been here before. I met the author in Glens Falls, NY right in the "heart" of the region he describes, and found him to be as graceful in person as he is on the written page. A true historian. Books on the Revolutionary War are not known to be written with the "glamour" and tenacity of the Civil War, but his treatment will, and has changed that. We always read about how people in the Civil War felt from their own writings. It is true, there are MANY writings (Journals and Diaries) left from this great period in our founding. Hopefully more authors will make the concerted effort that Ketchum took to bring aspects of those writings to life in a cohesive narrrative. Many future books on the Revolutionary War could take their lead from the style with which this author has put down the written word. When I finished the book, I wanted more. This is what inspires interest, learning, and understanding. I think that no one could go wrong if this was the only book they ever read on this campaign. It would be a shame however, if it never got read at all. Read the book. You won't be disappointed.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Why the Revolution succeded; the soldier's view, September 11, 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: Saratoga: Turning Point of America's Revolutionary War (Paperback)
Ketchum writes a detailed history of Saratoga and the events leading to the battle drawing largely from the correspondence of the soldiers who fought the battle. As such, "Saratoga" gives a detailed, participants' view of the battle. At this level, the work is enthralling, tense and a book which is difficult to put down. Shortcomings exist in several areas. First, the maps are weak. The text is detailed and makes reference to many points which are difficult or impossible to discern from the maps in the test. Moreover, given a battle so dependant on terrain, terrain is poorly illustrated on most of the maps. Second, Ketchum is weak on the sumary of the battles and skirmishes. On the major actions the impacts are clear, yet on some of the minor actions, the results are less clear. Left unexplained is the success of the Indian groups fighting with the British. Indian actions against American troops seemed singularly successful. It is unexplained why the Indians were so successful as well as how the Americans countered. Finally, while it is clear that Burgoyne's failure at Saratoga may have insured the success of the Revolution, it is less than clear whether Burgoyne's success would have insured Britsh success in holding the colonies. On finishing the book one is left with something of the feeling that comes at the end of Fitgerald's "Fire in the Lake": Battles may be won by the British, but the war was lost at the start. In the end, Ketchum's greatest success lies in illustrating the committment and fervor of the individual American to obtaining independence.
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