Dan Snow is a household name and combines scholarly insight with an ability to engage a wide audience of readers and viewers. His natural and easy going style in front of the camera in the BBC series Twentieth Century Battlefields and Battlefield Britain, with his father Peter Snow, has contributed to his popularity. The release of this book is timed to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the battle for Quebec.

The British campaign in Canada is perhaps less well known than the American war of Independence. The global pre-dominance of American culture, particularly through television, today make it no surprise that the events surrounding 4th July 1776, has some resonance in the popular imagination. However, it can be argued that the establishment of the United States is a direct result of the British victory in Canada and the defeat of France in the Seven Years war.

The seven years war, essentially European, was fought across the world. The victory in Quebec was partly due to the ability of the British to establish naval superiority, and to cut French communications with her colonies. In addition a weak French king and a financial system unable to fund the war contributed to the British victory.
 
At the heart of this book is the story is of two commanders: Major General James Wolfe and the Marquis de Montcalm, the French commander. Both anticipated fighting a formal European style of war. Neither seemed able to adjust their plans, attitudes and thinking to take advantage of the Native American and Canadian irregulars’ guerrilla tactics. Indeed Montcalm openly expressed his disdain for the local forces and New France’s Governor General Vaudreuil. Snow postulates that the French Commander’s prejudices robbed the French of considerable advantage that could have been decisive. At the same time Wolfe seems to have been racked with indecision, which ironically kept the French forces utterly bewildered and unsure of British plans, which ultimately helped the decisive move north of Quebec.

Wolfe was scathing of the Navy; which Snow suggests was undeserved. Wolfe blamed many of his commanders for the lack of progress in the campaign. Snow conveys the palpable sense of frustration the British felt as the summer drew on. The conventions of European war were left behind as the British tactics descended into terror and brutality towards the local inhabitants.

Wolfe is remembered as a great British hero, and Snow records the eulogising of the victory in Britain and America at the time. What is less clear from the evidence of this book is whether Wolfe is deserving of this praise. Indeed the decision to cross to L’Anse au Foulon and establish a position on the Heights of Abraham came from Wolfe’s subordinates in a letter sent to the General during August. 

This book balances context and detail, with a fascinating narrative underlined with a range of sources. Not only a great military story, it was a turning point in the emergence of Britain as global super power. 

Death or Victory – The Battle of Quebec and the Birth of Empire is published byHarperCollins on 17th September.

Pre Order Now from HistoryDirect.co.uk for only £15.00 (RRP £25.00)

About the Author

Huw Bement loves to contribute unique perspectives on world history, a love of which he developed whilst a schoolboy in Hong Kong. He is happily married with six children and lives in Portsmouth.

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