Choice Reviews : Choice Reviews 2007 November The victor at Quebec in 1759, General James Wolfe has been the subject of innumerable books. First his reputation soared: Wolfe as indomitable hero. Then it was trounced: Wolfe as incompetent commander and closet homosexual. Brumwell has set out to be fair, and he is, but he comes down foursquare for Wolfe as a good, competent commander with some luck on his side--if a general killed in action at age 32 can be lucky, that is. Wolfe was brave in action, took care of his soldiers, was a good trainer, and worked at pleasing his superiors and mobilizing them on his behalf. At Quebec, his soldiers seemed happy enough under his command, but his brigadiers, a quarrelsome lot, were not. But by finding a way up the cliff to the Plains of Abraham (a move of desperation, for sure), Wolfe put his army in front of the walls of Quebec. Montcalm, the French commander, decided to fight, and the battle was bloody and brief. The fate of New France was sealed. Wolfe deserves the credit, and Brumwell makes sure he gets it. Interestingly, the author also analyzes portraits of Wolfe, and this adds extra interest to a well-researched, splendidly written book. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All levels/libraries. Copyright 2007 American Library Association.
Book
