Crucible of War: The Seven Years' War and the Fate of Empire in British North America, 1754 - 1766

fred anderson

In this vivid and compelling narrative, the Seven Years' War–long seen as a mere backdrop to the American Revolution–takes on a whole new significance. Relating the history of the war as it developed, Anderson shows how the complex array of forces brought into conflict helped both to create Britain’s empire and to sow the seeds of its eventual dissolution.

Beginning with a skirmish in the Pennsylvania backcountry involving an inexperienced George Washington, the Iroquois chief Tanaghrisson, and the ill-fated French emissary Jumonville, Anderson reveals a chain of events that would lead to world conflagration. Weaving together the military, economic, and political motives of the participants with unforgettable portraits of Washington, William Pitt, Montcalm, and many others, Anderson brings a fresh perspective to one of America’s most important wars, demonstrating how the forces unleashed there would irrevocably change the politics of empire in North America.

Genres historyamerican historynonfictionwarmilitary historymilitary fictionamerican revolution18th centuryworld historyeuropean history

912 pages, Paperback

First published February 15,2000

Literary awards

francis parkman prize, mark lynton history prize, colorado book award, national book critics circle award,

Places

north america, british empire,

This edition

Format: 912 pages, Paperback
Published: January 23, 2001 by Vintage
ISBN: 9780375706363
ASIN: 0375706364
Language: English

Characters More characters

William Pitt 1st Earl Of Chatham

William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham PC (15 November 1708–11 May 1778) was a British Whig statesman who led the government of Great Britain during the Seven Years War (known as the French and Indian War in North America). He again led the ministry, hol...
Thomas Pelham-holles 1st Duke Of Newcastle

Thomas Pelham-Holles, 1st Duke of Newcastle upon Tyne and 1st Duke of Newcastle-under-Lyne, KG, PC, FRS (1693 – 1768) was an English Whig statesman, whose official life extended throughout the Whig supremacy of the 18th century. He is commonly known as th...
Jeffery Amherst 1st Baron Amherst

Field Marshal Jeffery Amherst, 1st Baron Amherst, KB (1717 – 1797) served as an officer in the British Army and as Commander-in-Chief of the Forces.Amherst is best known as the architect of Britains successful campaign to conquer the territory of Ne...
Edward Braddock

Major General Edward Braddock (1695 – 1755) was a British officer and commander-in-chief for the Thirteen Colonies during the actions at the start of the French and Indian War (1754 – 1763), which is also known in Europe and Canada as the Seven Years&apos...
Louis-joseph De Montcalm

Louis-Joseph de Montcalm-Grozon, marquis de Montcalm de Saint-Veran (1712 – 1759) was a French soldier best known as the commander of the forces in North America during the Seven Years War (whose North American theatre is called the French and India...
James Wolfe

Major General James Wolfe (1727 - 1759) was a British Army officer, known for his training reforms but remembered chiefly for his victory over the French at the Battle of the Plains of Abraham in Canada in 1759....