The months-long 1777 Saratoga campaign was one of the most decisive of the entire Revolutionary War. The crushing British defeat prompted France to recognize the American colonies as an independent nation; declare war on England; and commit money; ships; arms; and men to the rebellion. John Luzader’s impressive Saratoga: A Military History of the Decisive Campaign of the American Revolution is the first all-encompassing objective account of these pivotal months in American history.British General John Burgoyne assembled his command at St. Johns in June 1777. His force consisted of numerous warships; more than 130 pieces of artillery; and 7;800 men including two large divisions of rested veteran British Regulars. Burgoyne intended to capture Albany; New York; wrest control of the vital Hudson River Valley from the colonists; and divide the Northern American colonies in half. Initial colonial opposition included widely separated fixed positions; small garrisons and commands; and feuding American commanders. Burgoyne’s primary opponent was General Horatio Gates; a haughty and divisive leader whose 8;000 men included several capable field commanders; including Benedict Arnold and Daniel Morgan. The series of battles large and small these men would engineer stunned the world and spun the colonial rebellion in an entirely different direction.The British offensive kicked off with a stunning victory at Fort Ticonderoga; followed by a sharp successful engagement at Hubbardton. Other actions erupted at Fort Stanwix; Oriskany; and Bennington. However; serious supply problems dogged Burgoyne’s column and; assistance from General William Howe failed to materialize. Faced with hungry troops and a powerful gathering of American troops; Burgoyne decided to take the offensive by crossing the Hudson River and moving against Gates. The complicated maneuvers and command frictions that followed sparked two major battles; one at Freeman’s Farm (September 19) and the second at Bemis Heights (October 7). Seared into the public consciousness as “the battle of Saratoga;†the engagements resulted in the humiliating defeat and ultimately the surrender of Burgoyne’s entire army.Decades in the making; former National Park Service staff historian John Luzader’s Saratoga combines strategic; political; and tactical history into a compelling portrait of this decisive campaign. His sweeping prose relies heavily upon original archival research and the author’s personal expertise with the challenging terrain. Complete with stunning original maps and photos; Saratoga will take its place as one of the important and illuminating campaign studies ever written.FINALIST / RUNNER-UP: The Army Historical Foundation Distinguished Writing Award for Operational / Battle History; 2008
#835891 in Books 2014-04-09Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.40 x .60 x 5.50l; .50 #File Name: 1930004834160 pages
Review
12 of 15 people found the following review helpful. I highly recommend that EVERY TRUE BELIEVER read this bookBy SandyBy reading this book; it made some of the questions that I had about Gog/Magog fall PERFECTLY into place; according to Bible prophecy. Many; many people have to stretch and bend scripture to try to "make it fit" what they have been taught by the "experts"!! What if the experts are wrong?? (they are) Are you being set up for the "strong delusion"; which will befall most so-called Christians; just as 2 Thes. chapter two says? In order to "love the truth"; first; we have to KNOW what the truth is; and it's NOT what we've been told!!! I highly recommend that EVERY TRUE BELIEVER read this book!2 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Three StarsBy CustomerA little confusing; several points need clarification.1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Very interesting book.By L. whitesellVery interesting.