Saratoga: Turning Point of America's Revolutionary War (Paperback)

by Richard M. Ketchum (Author) "He was bone-tired, painfully aware of his seventy years, and not at all sure he would survive the long journey that lay ahead..." (more)
Key Phrases: dragoon redoubt, advanced corps, rebel reinforcements, New York, Mount Independence, New Hampshire (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Kirkus Reviews
An exciting and richly detailed narrative history of the events leading up to the decisive battle that altered the course of the American war for independence. Distinguished historian Ketchum (The Borrowed Years: 19381941, etc.) uses a wide range of primary and secondary sources to vividly depict this extraordinary drama. When ``Gentleman Johnny'' Burgoyne's feared army of British and German veterans invaded New York, intending to meet up with General Howe's forces, they seemed at first unstoppable. Burgoyne's fierce (and uncontrollable) Indian allies terrorized the countryside, killing civilians and burning and looting outlying settlements. The settlers (some of them previously lukewarm about the revolution) were forced to unite to defend their lives, families, and homes. The Americans soundly defeated the forces of the king at the fierce battles of Bennington and Fort Stanwix. At the same time, a merciless civil war between loyalists and rebels was being fought out in a series of small, vicious engagements. Burgoyne's logistical problems (he was compelled to drag mountains of equipment and supplies over narrow, primitive roads in unfamiliar country) and constant casualties served to weaken his seemingly invincible army. His exhausted forces were finally surrounded at Saratoga, and in the ensuing battle the Americans won a great victory under the courageous leadership of Benedict Arnold, Dan Morgan, and John Glover. Burgoyne's stunning surrender of his 6,000-man army brought a reassured France into the war on the side of the Americans, a move that would prove decisive. With clear, vigorous prose and well-drawn portraits of famous and obscure personalities, Ketchum captures a stirring time in American history, producing what should be the definitive study of Burgoyne's defeat for many years to come. (8 pages b&w illustrations, not seen) (History Book Club alternate selection) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review
"This is superbly researched, full-scale narrative history at its best." (David McCullough)

“More than a brilliant, gripping account of one of history’s most important battles; it is a vivid, needed reminder of how hard-fought, gritty, sweat-soaked, god-awful, heroic, and all-important was the American War. Like Shelby Foote unfolding the drama of the Civil War, Richard M. Ketchum writes of the Revolution as if he had been there . . . No novelist could create characters more memorable than the protagonists on both the American and British sides . . . This is superbly researched, full-scale narrative history at its best.”—David McCullough, author of John Adams
-- Review

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Product Details

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Holt Paperbacks (May 15, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805061231
• ISBN-13: 978-0805061239
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #168,328 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Remarkable Work, October 15, 2002

By	David H. Schmick (Salisbury, MD United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Historic battle come alive in this narrative...., April 9, 2000

By	J. Scott Langworthy "Woofgeed" (Queensbury, New York USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Saratoga: Turning Point of America's Revolutionary War (Hardcover)

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.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A gem, May 31, 2000

By	Karl (An American patriot in Switzerland) - See all my reviews

Excellent book, trust me! ... Someday, after a long lifetime of mostly nonfiction reading, I'll look back on this one and say Ketchum's Saratoga is one of the gems I would really regret having missed ... If any of you readers out there knows of any other such treasures in this topic (American Revolution) as this one, please let me know. [e-mail]