Saratoga

Richard M. Ketchum is as good a writer as there is. This account of the Battle of Saratoga during the American Revolution could just be THE definitive work on this subject. As the preface to this book states, at Saratoga the British campaign that was supposed to crush America's rebellion ended instead in a surrender that changed the history of the world. Those 24 words are as succinct as it gets. Who could have guessed that those ragged farmers could have at first cut off and then captured a complete British army in the field? Yet that is exactly what occurred. Along with Yorktown and Cowpens this was one of the few times American forces faced English regulars in a stand up, toe to toe fight and won.Saratoga signaled the ability of American arms and the ferociousness of the American spirit. It destroyed an intricate British campaign to separate New England from the rest of the States and ultimately secured French recognition of American Independence.This is one richly detailed literary effort that truly does describe the turning point of America's Revolutionary War.

With all of the buzz in historical circles about the works of McCullough and Morris, it seems there are current authors who are not recognized for the fine work they do. Ketcham is one such author.This is a superb account of the campaign which truly broke England's hold on the American colonies. There are several distinguishing aspects in this account...one being the amount of information presented concerning the English view of the campaign. Most American historians seem to accentuate only the American side, however, the inclusiveness of Ketcham's account in terms of English plans and execution adds much to what could have been just an account from the colonial perspective. My wife and I had the opportunity to tour the battlefield this past summer and this really fleshed out what we experienced during our trip.Ketcham's account of the role played by Native Americans in this series of battles is also a revelation. This book is totally accessible to anyone regardless of their historical background. I would compare this book in quality to the recent biographies of John Adams and Theodore Roosevelt. If you are at all interested in the colonial period or the American Revolution, I would definitely commend this book to you. We are so lucky to be living in a time when so many great histories and biographies are so readily available.

This is a relatively new book, and it is an excellent history of the series of battles, the campaign, that was the turning point of the American Revolution. Seldom does a British armed force surrender; in the Revolution two did-at Yorktown and at Saratoga. This prompted the French to weigh in as allies and send aid, as well as a fleet and an army, to support the Americans against Britain. Ketchum, who was an editor at American Heritage and responsible for some of their better publications, including one on the Revolution, has told his tale with verve, wit, and accuracy. His character sketches are colorful and right on target. The author's treatment of both sides is even-handed, and the bitter fighting at both Freeman's Farm and Bemis Heights is painted with a wide, colorful brush, not leaving out the sheer horror and brutality that was 18th century warfare. This book is highly recommended. Although I believe John Elting's The Battles of Saratoga to be better, this volume belongs in every collection on the Revolution.

Excellent book, trust me! ... Someday, after a long lifetime of mostly nonfiction reading, I'll look back on this one and say Ketchum's Saratoga is one of the gems I would really regret having missed ... If any of you readers out there knows of any other such treasures in this topic (American Revolution) as this one, please let me know. [email protected]

I read this book when it first came out and was enthralled. I happen to live in the Lake Goerge/Saratoga region, and know the surroundings he describes VERY well. I have visited many of the sites mentioned in the text. Believe me, his perspective on the landscpapes, and the hardships of travel in this locality are very accurate. Like many reviewers comments, he has a way of description that brings the pages to life. The struggle and turmoil of the local people invloved and their undecided nature was well written. How the locals in the region took to this invasion from the north, and how they eventually rallied just in time to thwart their advance at (old) Saratoga was right on the money. Surprisingly, the Parks, and Historical sites that remain today, as well as some of the "areas" left somewhat untouched by history, still give one the sense of wonder. If you find it incredible how these armies could advance through some of the terrain he describes, you would be twice as surprised by actually seeing it as I have. As I read this narrative, I was fortunate that I could place myself exactly where he describes the campaign and visualize from his text and my own perspective from visits I have made. I could tell that this author had been here before. I met the author in Glens Falls, NY right in the "heart" of the region he describes, and found him to be as graceful in person as he is on the written page. A true historian. Books on the Revolutionary War are not known to be written with the "glamour" and tenacity of the Civil War, but his treatment will, and has changed that. We always read about how people in the Civil War felt from their own writings. It is true, there are MANY writings (Journals and Diaries) left from this great period in our founding. Hopefully more authors will make the concerted effort that Ketchum took to bring aspects of those writings to life in a cohesive narrrative. Many future books on the Revolutionary War could take their lead from the style with which this author has put down the written word. When I finished the book, I wanted more. This is what inspires interest, learning, and understanding. I think that no one could go wrong if this was the only book they ever read on this campaign. It would be a shame however, if it never got read at all. Read the book. You won't be disappointed.