Quebec, 1759: The Siege and the BattleThe capture of Quebec by British forces under James Wolfe in 1759 brought about the ultimate British victory in the contest with France for dominance in North America. Ending the threat presented by France opened the door to the independence on the 13 English colonies some 20 years later, and the brief dramatic battle on the Plains of Abraham outside the walls of Quebec set the course for the future Canada. C.P. Stacey's book has long been regarded as the best on the siege and the battle and the events that preceded them. The drama and significance of the battle, and the lionization of Wolfe, have diverted attention from the pertinent and intriguing questions that the historian must ask, and which Stacey was one of the first and most astute to answer. Who made the plans? When were the critical decisions taken? Why did they succeed and how nearly did they fail? What sort of man was General Wolfe? Was Montcalm a good or better soldier? Stacey's text offers important new evidence and discussion of these and other questions in an approach that is even-handed, knowledgeable and wonderful reading. In this handsome new edition, Stacey's text appears in its entirety. Editor Donald E. Graves has, however, added many new picture essays and maps, as well as new appendices and updated references and bibliography, making this the most complete, attractive and authoritative book available on the subject. |
From inside the book
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... Wolfe's three brigadiers , Robert Monckton ( the senior and second in com- mand ) , James Murray and George Townshend , were all very competent soldiers , and Wolfe had apparently asked for the first two . All were somewhat older than Wolfe ...
... Wolfe's Second Plan , contemplated between 5 and 10 July 1759 ( see pp . 71 , 74 ) was to land at St. Michel above Quebec and force Montcalm to attack to preserve his line of commu- nication . This plan was abandoned as too risky . The ...
... Wolfe's and Bell's journals , there is much barbed criticism of the Royal Navy . The writer gives no full account of the changes in Wolfe's plans , and it would appear that he was probably not completely informed of them ; in particular ...
Contents
Charles P Stacey and the Siege | 7 |
Dramatis Personae | 21 |
The Fortress | 43 |
Copyright | |
7 other sections not shown