Waterways of War
The Struggle for Empire 1754 -1763
Authors: Steve Benson & Ron Toelke
Publisher: Seaway Trail Inc.
What a book!
In August of 2012,
Deb Marvin and I took a short vacation/research trip to Sacket’s Harbor, N.Y. to
glean information, visit museums and see reenactments for the War of 1812, and
to brainstorm ideas for books set in that time period. When we stopped into one
of the beautiful museum homes in the village, I’d wandered into the gift shop and
the cover of this book caught my eye. I don’t know why
I’m drawn to this particular time period—but I suspect it has something to do
with Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper, a book I read as a child, and
seeing the movie of the same name with Daniel Day Lewis ;).
I’d always
enjoyed reading about the powerful and well-documented American Revolution, but I sought an earlier time; something more rugged and mysterious. The
French and Indian War (considered the Seven Years War in Europe) seemed more deeply shrouded in the mists of time, much like the mists
rising above the waters on the book’s cover painting, Departure at Daybreak by Robert Griffing (Fort Niagara 1769).
This book takes us
down three paths to meet with exciting events in the War. The Great Lakes Seaway Trail, which
hi-lights battles, and people of note, by way of Fort de la Presentation, Old Fort Niagara, Fort
de la Presque Isle (Pennsylvania) and more. Don’t you love the French names?
From there we
swing through central New York along the Revolutionary Byway (a tip of the hat to
the American Revolution), to visit Fort
Stanwix of the battle of Oriskany
fame, near Rome, N.Y., further along, the home of Sir William
Johnson, Johnson Hall State Historic site, and finally the beautiful
Schenectady Stockade Historic District.
In the Lakes to Locks Passage chapters you’ll
discover fascinating details about such places as Fort
Edward and Rogers’
Island, where Rogers’
Rangers, the King’s Special Forces, whose guerrilla war tactics are practiced
by our military’s special forces today, were stationed. Visit Fort William
Henry of Last of the Mohicans fame, the Lake George
shipwrecks, Crown Point Historic Site and much more.
Generously
illustrated by Don Troiani (an illustrator who accurately depicts people from
the early American time period) and other artists, you’ll find prints, maps and
paintings of figures wearing authentically detailed period clothing and
uniforms.
I’ve only reviewed non-fiction books I felt deserved between four and five star ratings (five being the best). Hopefully they will take you to places you’d like to visit, and are historically accurate, enjoyable and beneficial for any research you might need. My rating for this book: Five Stars
 |
| New Jersey Blues - Private, 1758 by Don Troiani |
