Guns at the Forks

Guns At The Forks tells the story of the five forts that were built at the forks of the Ohio River (modern Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) - Fort Prince George, Fort Duquesne, Mercer's Fort, Fort Pitt and Fort Fayette, and the struggle to control this key bit of real estate that was crucial to the control of the whole inner continent. It keeps a tight focus on the story line of the struggle for this bit of land, and relates only the details of The French and Indian War and Pontiacs Uprising that bear directly on the fate of the forts at the fork. The fascinating events that surrounded this struggle include George Washington's first entrance onto the world stage as a young man sent on a dangerous winter mission, and the following year bungling his first military mission and precipitating the start of the French and Indian War. Braddock's Massacre, the greatest British military defeat up to that point in history, happened while attempting to wrest the forks from the control of the French and capture Fort Duquesne. The subsequent years of Indian raids that terrorized the Pennsylvanian and Virginian frontiers were all launch from Fort Duquesne, until the relentlessly plodding Forbes expedition finally put an end to French power at the forks. The English then built their greatest North American fortress, Fort Pitt, at the forks, which was one of the only forts on the frontier to withstand the native attacks during Pontiac's Uprising, with an assist from Colonel Bouquet and his highlanders at the Battle of Bushy Run. The book relates all of these riveting stories in fascinating detail. If you have an interest in The French and Indian War, Pontiac's Uprising, Pennsylvanian regional history, or the colonial frontier, consider this book a must read. It is extremely well written, and reads smoothly while weaving its history as a riveting tale - highly recommended. Theo Logos

Excellent account of Ft. Pitt /Duquesne and its use in the French and Indian war.Using written reports from both side and a familarity with the ground O'Meara does a fine job making a vivid picture of the English, French and the Indians (yes I said Indians) in between. You see all three sides in this quest for the control of the waterways vying for position and when possible using each other.This book was written in the mid 60's and the total lack of political correctness shows to the joy of the reader. It is a pleasure to see an author willing to call the roasting alive of a prisoner what it was , savage! That this is a parallel to some reporting of events to day make it even more relevent.One final note. The truth of the Fog of war is illustrated as both side seemed to have no true idea of what they were facing and were released from their ignorance only when events or luck overtook them. This is a truth of war that never ends.Very much worth adding to your home library.

It is a good read, though people looking for a more scholarly, documented, well-researched study of the campaigns of Braddock and Forbes should use Fred Anderson's Crucible of War.

This is a 270 page must-read history of the British, French, and Indian struggle for control of the point where the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers meet to form the Ohio River. The book includes maps, pictures, diagrams, photos, index and bibliography. The author manages to present a balanced approach, and cuts through many long believed myths, with a rational, easy to understand style.

This book dovetails all important historical accounts of the French & Indian war as well as the Revolution. Mr. OMeara brings great men such as, Robert Rogers, Gen. Braddock, Gen. Washington and even Benedict Arnold (when he was a good guy) into play. It is a virtual potpourri of who's who, and how they connect with the current Pittsburgh area. It brings out many small,yet certanily not insignificant, facts about these men and many others. Read about one of George Washingtons first blunders as a leader of an army, and how Gen. Braddock had marched an army in the dead of winter into the harsh wilderness to meet the Marque de Montcalm, and ultimately his fate. Again a must read for those who seek the truth about the Colonial era.