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Saratoga: Turning Point of America's Revolutionary War
A New York Times Notable Book
545 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1997
106 people are currently reading
1857 people want to read
About the author
Richard M. Ketchum
38 books42 followersA graduate of Yale, Richard Ketchum was a writer and editor who worked for the American Heritage Publishing Company from 1956 until 1974.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
April 12, 2016
I don't think much more can be added to the previous reviews of this excellent book. The author has produced a well written and researched account of this great and interesting period of history. At times I felt for the British and wanted them to win and at other times I felt for the American forces.
It's a great book if you can see both sides of the story and come away impressed with both points of view. I thoroughly loved reading this book, at no time did it get bogged down or boring. The use of first hand accounts from participants on both sides were well placed and utilised. As usual I would have liked more maps but those provided were OK.
For a person like myself who does not have much knowledge of the American Revolution this is a great book. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys general history or who wants to learn about America's past. Well done to the author!
It's a great book if you can see both sides of the story and come away impressed with both points of view. I thoroughly loved reading this book, at no time did it get bogged down or boring. The use of first hand accounts from participants on both sides were well placed and utilised. As usual I would have liked more maps but those provided were OK.
For a person like myself who does not have much knowledge of the American Revolution this is a great book. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys general history or who wants to learn about America's past. Well done to the author!
June 15, 2021
Spectacular epic history of the greatest battle of the American Revolution. Countless colorful characters, gallant heroes and despicable villains.
September 29, 2014
This book came highly recommended from a historical reenactor on a Revolutionary War battlefield. This past July my wife and I were visiting Hubbardtown, Vermont, site of a notable American defeat in 1777. A reenactor representing a British soldier enthusiastically praised Richard Ketchum's account of the Saratoga campaign, in which Hubbardtown played a part.
And the book is a treat. Ketchum does a marvelous job of telling the story of "Gentleman Johnny" Burgoyne's bold attempt to win the Revolutionary War for Britain, from its inception through the British catastrophe and American triumph. The book is fine narrative, relying on nicely realized historical characters, from snarling John Stark to manic Benedict Arnold. Both British (plus loyalists) and American (colonial) sides are well represented through well-chosen primary source excerpts.
Parts of the Saratoga campaign are difficult to follow, especially the battles, and I commend Ketchum for presenting them clearly. The text does an excellent job of laying out operations in space and time. I don't mean this to suggest the book is cold or clinical - far from it. Saratoga is filled with emotional range. We get to see both sides' increasingly desperate circumstances. Burgoyne's tragic arc is well told.
Ketchum is especially good at offering little vignettes. For example, a sad one:
The last page offers a moving glimpse of a different American struggle, as Ketchum concludes by noting American scouts capturing, then freeing a black slave and her child.
What keeps me from awarding this brave veteran five stars? A series of weaknesses. First, it's hard to follow British general Howe's decision-making. His refusal to act or communicate effectively doomed the northern expedition, but Ketchum never really explains Howe's silent sojourn. Second, while Ketchum does a good job of representing Loyalist through quotations, he skips too quickly over the bitter struggles between them and their rebellious neighbors. A few glimpses (like two neighbors trying to kill each other on 312, or a mass grave of executed Tories (!) on 325) tantalize.
Third, while the several maps are elegantly drawn, they don't satisfy this reader. We needed a map showing the Champlain and upper Hudson River valleys, since that's where most of the book takes place, and the overall campaign map must squash them into too small a place. Battlefield maps lack details which the text describes as vital, from a river bridge at Bennington to terrain at Saratoga's two battlefields. For example, note how this military map includes a key piece of the American left flank, missing from Saratoga's two maps of the battles. Or this one, zeroing in on one key segment of the battlefield for a specific time of day.
A fine quote for me:
And the book is a treat. Ketchum does a marvelous job of telling the story of "Gentleman Johnny" Burgoyne's bold attempt to win the Revolutionary War for Britain, from its inception through the British catastrophe and American triumph. The book is fine narrative, relying on nicely realized historical characters, from snarling John Stark to manic Benedict Arnold. Both British (plus loyalists) and American (colonial) sides are well represented through well-chosen primary source excerpts.
Parts of the Saratoga campaign are difficult to follow, especially the battles, and I commend Ketchum for presenting them clearly. The text does an excellent job of laying out operations in space and time. I don't mean this to suggest the book is cold or clinical - far from it. Saratoga is filled with emotional range. We get to see both sides' increasingly desperate circumstances. Burgoyne's tragic arc is well told.
Ketchum is especially good at offering little vignettes. For example, a sad one:
a third man who carried a message concealed in a silver ball swallowed it when he was captured, was forced to drink an emetic, and when he coughed up the ball and the note was read, was tried and hanged. (384)
The last page offers a moving glimpse of a different American struggle, as Ketchum concludes by noting American scouts capturing, then freeing a black slave and her child.
What keeps me from awarding this brave veteran five stars? A series of weaknesses. First, it's hard to follow British general Howe's decision-making. His refusal to act or communicate effectively doomed the northern expedition, but Ketchum never really explains Howe's silent sojourn. Second, while Ketchum does a good job of representing Loyalist through quotations, he skips too quickly over the bitter struggles between them and their rebellious neighbors. A few glimpses (like two neighbors trying to kill each other on 312, or a mass grave of executed Tories (!) on 325) tantalize.
Third, while the several maps are elegantly drawn, they don't satisfy this reader. We needed a map showing the Champlain and upper Hudson River valleys, since that's where most of the book takes place, and the overall campaign map must squash them into too small a place. Battlefield maps lack details which the text describes as vital, from a river bridge at Bennington to terrain at Saratoga's two battlefields. For example, note how this military map includes a key piece of the American left flank, missing from Saratoga's two maps of the battles. Or this one, zeroing in on one key segment of the battlefield for a specific time of day.
A fine quote for me:
Vermont... now "abounds in the most active and most rebellious race of the continent"
-Burgoyne (330)
June 10, 2023
A vivid, well-written and well-researched history of the campaign.
The book moves along at a fast-pace, Ketchum’s writing is clear, and he does a great job conveying the battlefield’s terrain and weather and how it affected the fighting, as well as the logistics (at least on the British side) He provides great portraits of the battle’s commanders and combatants, and fleshes out the human dimension of their experiences. His portrait of Burgoyne is pretty good. He also does a great job describing the story of the Hessians, and the impact of Indian allies on Burgoyne’s decisions.
The narrative is engaging, balanced, comprehensive and very readable. There could have been more detail on the Americans’ logistics and on St. Leger’s army, and some might find the tactical picture a little unclear, while others may wish for more analysis. The level of detail can get a little confusing at times.The picture of the Indians’ motives is incomplete, for example, and when they show up in the book they’re usually just caricatures. George III is dismissed as “not very bright.” There’s also a lack of detailed maps. Ketchum assumes that the reader can understand French.
Also, when covering the fall of Breymann’s redoubt, Ketchum seems convinced that Burgoyne should have abandoned his artillery and retreated across the Hudson afterwards. Ketchum reports the opinion of von Riedesel’s wife, who claimed that Burgoyne wanted a peerage so badly that he couldn’t bring himself to withdraw. However, there is no evidence that George III or his government had promised Burgoyne a peerage. The retreat would also have been harder than the Baroness thought.
A rich, lucid and insightful work.
The book moves along at a fast-pace, Ketchum’s writing is clear, and he does a great job conveying the battlefield’s terrain and weather and how it affected the fighting, as well as the logistics (at least on the British side) He provides great portraits of the battle’s commanders and combatants, and fleshes out the human dimension of their experiences. His portrait of Burgoyne is pretty good. He also does a great job describing the story of the Hessians, and the impact of Indian allies on Burgoyne’s decisions.
The narrative is engaging, balanced, comprehensive and very readable. There could have been more detail on the Americans’ logistics and on St. Leger’s army, and some might find the tactical picture a little unclear, while others may wish for more analysis. The level of detail can get a little confusing at times.The picture of the Indians’ motives is incomplete, for example, and when they show up in the book they’re usually just caricatures. George III is dismissed as “not very bright.” There’s also a lack of detailed maps. Ketchum assumes that the reader can understand French.
Also, when covering the fall of Breymann’s redoubt, Ketchum seems convinced that Burgoyne should have abandoned his artillery and retreated across the Hudson afterwards. Ketchum reports the opinion of von Riedesel’s wife, who claimed that Burgoyne wanted a peerage so badly that he couldn’t bring himself to withdraw. However, there is no evidence that George III or his government had promised Burgoyne a peerage. The retreat would also have been harder than the Baroness thought.
A rich, lucid and insightful work.
February 3, 2013
Edited 2/3/13:
Third time through this book. One thing that was obvious but not stated outright is that Burgoyne's defeat was as much caused by his own hubris as well as the American dispositions. Furthermore, although General Horatio Gates was in command of the American forces at Freeman's Farm, the background for the victory was laid on a foundation of support by the then-deposed general Philip Schuyler, the decision to evacuate Fort Ticonderoga by General St. Clair, and the American victory at the Battle of Bennington.
An excellent and well-researched overview of the important Saratoga Campaign of 1777 when British, German, Loyalist and Indian troops under the command of General John "Gentleman Johnny" Burgoyne invaded south from Canada along the Lake Champlain-Hudson River waterway in an attempt to split the rebellious colonies in half.
(Re-read in December 2011)
(Read third time January-February 2013)
Third time through this book. One thing that was obvious but not stated outright is that Burgoyne's defeat was as much caused by his own hubris as well as the American dispositions. Furthermore, although General Horatio Gates was in command of the American forces at Freeman's Farm, the background for the victory was laid on a foundation of support by the then-deposed general Philip Schuyler, the decision to evacuate Fort Ticonderoga by General St. Clair, and the American victory at the Battle of Bennington.
An excellent and well-researched overview of the important Saratoga Campaign of 1777 when British, German, Loyalist and Indian troops under the command of General John "Gentleman Johnny" Burgoyne invaded south from Canada along the Lake Champlain-Hudson River waterway in an attempt to split the rebellious colonies in half.
(Re-read in December 2011)
(Read third time January-February 2013)
January 22, 2009
One of the very best books on a military campaign I have ever read. And believe me, I've read a LOT of them. Makes you all wistful about Benedict Arnold.
March 2, 2014
The late Richard M. Ketchum's book is about the British army's summer 1777 offensive against the rebellious American Colonies. General John Burgoyne led a force consisting of regular army units, German mercenaries, Indians, loyalists and Canadians South into New York from Canada, in an amphibious operation which intended to span Lake Champlain and Lake George, then onto the Hudson River and into Albany, where a link-up would occur with another British force under General William Howe. The colonies would then be split in half, and the rebellion would be strangled.
Crossing Champlain required some logistical planning with so large a force in those days, but was easily accomplished. Even though moving an army and its equipment across land between bodies of water was no doubt very strenuous, we get the impression from Ketchum's description that Gentleman Johnny Burgoune and his retinue, including his traveling mistress, were having a lark of it at first. This impression would have been reinforced by the effective capture of the once-touted Fortress of the North, Fort Ticonderoga, and the resulting high-tailing of any Americans lucky enough to avoid capture throughout the woods, toward the Hudson River.
The Americans didn't have an armed force capable of going up directly against the British, so they relied on fighting the British on favorable ground in numerous actions which, with the rough terrain of the wilderness of Northern New York, effectively slowed down Burgoyne's advance considerably. Much credit went to the effective war planning of a former British general now commanding the American forces, Horatio Gates. He was great at moving forces around the chess board of war, but he didn't have the charismatic attraction of a commander who puts his physical presence in front of his men while risking everything in battle. Gates' subordinate commander, General Benedict Arnold, did have this talent for rousing his fighters into action, and his brashness was not appreciated by his boss.
In the end, Arnold would save the day at Saratoga by disobeying Gates' orders and successfully confronting the British. The complete victory of the Americans, as told by Ketchum, was one of the great epic moments in America's history. Arnold's later treacherous behavior no doubt has kept generations from appreciating what he did for his country at Saratoga, although who knows how much Gates' claim of credit for the victory contributed to Arnolds' growing resentments over not being appreciated for his genius and the spilling of his own blood in battle. Already wounded in a previous action, Arnold was seriously injured at Saratoga.
Ketchum shows how this British offensive turned against its planners. The news of the American victory created a sensation when it reached France. Ironically, the monarchy that would later be toppled by revolution was gaga for the American rebellion (no doubt largely because it was a thorn in the side of France's British enemies) and the American diplomats Benjamin Franklin, Silas Deane and Arthur Lee finally enjoyed the success of getting France to provide military and financial aid to their cause.
Crossing Champlain required some logistical planning with so large a force in those days, but was easily accomplished. Even though moving an army and its equipment across land between bodies of water was no doubt very strenuous, we get the impression from Ketchum's description that Gentleman Johnny Burgoune and his retinue, including his traveling mistress, were having a lark of it at first. This impression would have been reinforced by the effective capture of the once-touted Fortress of the North, Fort Ticonderoga, and the resulting high-tailing of any Americans lucky enough to avoid capture throughout the woods, toward the Hudson River.
The Americans didn't have an armed force capable of going up directly against the British, so they relied on fighting the British on favorable ground in numerous actions which, with the rough terrain of the wilderness of Northern New York, effectively slowed down Burgoyne's advance considerably. Much credit went to the effective war planning of a former British general now commanding the American forces, Horatio Gates. He was great at moving forces around the chess board of war, but he didn't have the charismatic attraction of a commander who puts his physical presence in front of his men while risking everything in battle. Gates' subordinate commander, General Benedict Arnold, did have this talent for rousing his fighters into action, and his brashness was not appreciated by his boss.
In the end, Arnold would save the day at Saratoga by disobeying Gates' orders and successfully confronting the British. The complete victory of the Americans, as told by Ketchum, was one of the great epic moments in America's history. Arnold's later treacherous behavior no doubt has kept generations from appreciating what he did for his country at Saratoga, although who knows how much Gates' claim of credit for the victory contributed to Arnolds' growing resentments over not being appreciated for his genius and the spilling of his own blood in battle. Already wounded in a previous action, Arnold was seriously injured at Saratoga.
Ketchum shows how this British offensive turned against its planners. The news of the American victory created a sensation when it reached France. Ironically, the monarchy that would later be toppled by revolution was gaga for the American rebellion (no doubt largely because it was a thorn in the side of France's British enemies) and the American diplomats Benjamin Franklin, Silas Deane and Arthur Lee finally enjoyed the success of getting France to provide military and financial aid to their cause.
January 15, 2020
A panoramic and dramatic depiction of the most impactful battle of the american revolution. Ketchum using all available sources , including first hand accounts by the participants gives us a vivid look on what it was like to live during these trying but momentous times. A stirring and throughly engrossing read !
Read
May 14, 2017Very informative account of the battle which changed the course of the Revolutionary War. Strongly recommended for those interested in early U.S. history, particularly in this pivotal battle. -- Terrence A.
September 19, 2014
Excellent!
December 31, 2023
History as a page turner!
July 22, 2010
I picked up this book at the Saratoga Battlefield park when it was recommended by several of the Park Rangers. They are right. It is indeed a wonderful read. I stayed up very late four nights running because I couldn't put the book down.
Ketchum covers the entire campaign, from it's inception in Canada and London, down to the disposition of the pow's and the Courts Maritial for Schuyler and St. Clair. (Courts Maritial in those days were a combination of peer review, after action review, and military justice with ability to levy sanctions or absolve the participants. Many times a commander would specifically demand one. Both Schuyler and St Clair were absolved of any wrongdoing. English politics prevented Burgoyne from getting one.)
Ketchum's technique is to describe what individual participants saw or heard at key points during the campaign. He selects these very wisely and cements them together with an excellent, if somewhat informal, writing style. I also appreciated his approach on notes. Rather than give a formal and very dry note, he describes the sources he used, why he used them, and, very importantly, what he thought about the quality of each source. An informal approach, and perhaps not sufficiently academically rigorous, but one that reached out and dragged me into the story.
The Campaign itself was a fiasco for the English. Burgoyne moved from Canada down Lakes Champlain and George, quickly overrunning American military posts there. New York Colony resources were clearly insufficient to halt him and a secondary attack by St. Leger along the Mohawk Valley.. Burgoyne then transferred to land travel marching towards Albany, his movements threatened New England which caused those states to mobilize and send military support to the American Army. At the same time the English armies along the coastal plain declined to support Burgoyne, allowing Washington to send a significant part of his army in support. This and the long supply line to Canada changed the balance of forces from the English outnumbering the Americans 2 or 3 to one, to teh Americans outnumbering the English 2 or 3 to one. The English Army finally ran out steam just north of the strategic town of Albany. They were stopped at the Battle of Saratoga and then surrounded and forced to surrender as they tried to retreat to Lake George.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the Saratoga Battle and Campaign, the Revolutionary War, Military History, or even curious about who the folks who lived and participated in the Revolution; New Yorker, New Englander, British or German.
Ketchum covers the entire campaign, from it's inception in Canada and London, down to the disposition of the pow's and the Courts Maritial for Schuyler and St. Clair. (Courts Maritial in those days were a combination of peer review, after action review, and military justice with ability to levy sanctions or absolve the participants. Many times a commander would specifically demand one. Both Schuyler and St Clair were absolved of any wrongdoing. English politics prevented Burgoyne from getting one.)
Ketchum's technique is to describe what individual participants saw or heard at key points during the campaign. He selects these very wisely and cements them together with an excellent, if somewhat informal, writing style. I also appreciated his approach on notes. Rather than give a formal and very dry note, he describes the sources he used, why he used them, and, very importantly, what he thought about the quality of each source. An informal approach, and perhaps not sufficiently academically rigorous, but one that reached out and dragged me into the story.
The Campaign itself was a fiasco for the English. Burgoyne moved from Canada down Lakes Champlain and George, quickly overrunning American military posts there. New York Colony resources were clearly insufficient to halt him and a secondary attack by St. Leger along the Mohawk Valley.. Burgoyne then transferred to land travel marching towards Albany, his movements threatened New England which caused those states to mobilize and send military support to the American Army. At the same time the English armies along the coastal plain declined to support Burgoyne, allowing Washington to send a significant part of his army in support. This and the long supply line to Canada changed the balance of forces from the English outnumbering the Americans 2 or 3 to one, to teh Americans outnumbering the English 2 or 3 to one. The English Army finally ran out steam just north of the strategic town of Albany. They were stopped at the Battle of Saratoga and then surrounded and forced to surrender as they tried to retreat to Lake George.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the Saratoga Battle and Campaign, the Revolutionary War, Military History, or even curious about who the folks who lived and participated in the Revolution; New Yorker, New Englander, British or German.
August 17, 2009
"Gentleman Johnny" Burgoyne presented a plan to end the Revolutionary War and stifle the American colonists' bid for independence. It would involve a three-pronged campaign, with Burgoyne leading a contingent from Canada down to Albany, NY. The end result, he believes, would be the destruction of the Revolution itself.
However, as the Preface notes at the outset, "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." This book examines the campaign conceptualized by Burgoyne and the factors that led to his crushing defeat--and the entry of France as an ally of the colonial rebellion.
The story of Saratoga is also a story of English ineptitude. General Howe was to send troops northward toward Albany; General St. Leger was to lead a contingent from the west toward the east. The result would be a devastating defeat of the colonials. However, Howe did nothing; St. Leger was unable to make the rendezvous and turned back at Fort Stanwix. That left Burgoyne alone against the American forces.
And never did a Yankee general get so much credit for so little merit as Horatio Gates. He commanded the motley American army facing off against Burgoyne. The book well illustrates that others, such as Benedict Arnold, had a much more critical role in victory.
But the heart of the book is the factors leading up to the defeat of the British army at Saratoga. Great detail, a well portrayed narrative arc, from Burgoyne's optimistic start of the campaign to the lugubrious end. Well portrayed are the battles at Fort Ticonderoga, the disaster at Bennington, and the final denouement at Saratoga.
This is a nice portrayal of the campaign that changed the course of the war, well written and with enough detail to understand what was happening. Well worth looking at for those interested in this battle and the Revolutionary War.
However, as the Preface notes at the outset, "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." This book examines the campaign conceptualized by Burgoyne and the factors that led to his crushing defeat--and the entry of France as an ally of the colonial rebellion.
The story of Saratoga is also a story of English ineptitude. General Howe was to send troops northward toward Albany; General St. Leger was to lead a contingent from the west toward the east. The result would be a devastating defeat of the colonials. However, Howe did nothing; St. Leger was unable to make the rendezvous and turned back at Fort Stanwix. That left Burgoyne alone against the American forces.
And never did a Yankee general get so much credit for so little merit as Horatio Gates. He commanded the motley American army facing off against Burgoyne. The book well illustrates that others, such as Benedict Arnold, had a much more critical role in victory.
But the heart of the book is the factors leading up to the defeat of the British army at Saratoga. Great detail, a well portrayed narrative arc, from Burgoyne's optimistic start of the campaign to the lugubrious end. Well portrayed are the battles at Fort Ticonderoga, the disaster at Bennington, and the final denouement at Saratoga.
This is a nice portrayal of the campaign that changed the course of the war, well written and with enough detail to understand what was happening. Well worth looking at for those interested in this battle and the Revolutionary War.
May 26, 2020
This is a truly excellent book. Written in a crisp, clean style with rich attention to detail that does not ever slow the narrative, it provides a vivid picture of the crucial turning point of the American Revolution--the Northern Campaign--from General St. Clair's wise retreat from Ticonderoga to the demise of General Burgoyne's campaign and the humbling surrender of his shattered army at Saratoga. Compared with many other military histories I've read, Ketchum (himself a Navy officer in WW II) presents arresting descriptions of the battles, helped by useful diagrams of troop movements and encounters. Drawing from original sources, he also gives the reader telling insights into the backgrounds and thinking of the main actors, which enhance understanding of the whys and wherefores behind the actions and decisions of the commanding officers and their troops. I learned about this book from a list of the best books on the American Revolution published by The Journal of the American Revolution. I certainly see why this book made the list.
July 1, 2017
Quite an interesting read with lots of detail which really helps me better understand 1) the importance of this battle to the overall outcome of the American Revolution, and 2) how serious the privations suffered by the army during the course of the war really were. I am now in complete awe of those who put their all on the line for the cause of independence. Now, having finished the book, I am looking forward to my NEH teachers workshop at Fort Ticonderoga next week.
June 5, 2015
A very readable, well-researched study of one of the pivotal battles of the American Revolution. It gives the reader a good understanding of the political infighting on both sides, and the tremendous efforts of the soldiers involved.
August 8, 2011
This is one of the best historical books I have ever read. Ketchum tells the story of the Saratoga campaign from start to finish like he was there.
September 23, 2015
Highly readable account, a bit short on details, but long on fair analysis. Introduction is geography heavy, which is apparently a pet interest of Ketchum's.
January 1, 2021
Ketchum's work here is a sparkling lesson in scholarly research synthesized into a highly readable narrative on this important northern campaign of The American Revolution. As the subtitle correctly states, the American victory turned the tide in what could be described up until then as desperate and discouraging times for the insurgency. Much changed after Burgoyne's surrender. Ketchum meticulously takes the reader into the woods of northern New York, Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut. He paints a breathtaking picture of the New York deciduous forest in almost other worldly terms -- of course it was just that to the British. But it was home to many of the American warriors. They knew this land and how to use it to their advantage. Ketchum, in his explanation on notes, explains that much of the narrative came from the journals and papers of the common soldier -- both British and American and German. That's another plus for this book: Ketchum doesn't just tell the American side of the battle. He thoroughly gives the British and Germans a fine accounting. I thought perhaps his inclusion of Riedesel's wife's recollections would be an intrusion on the narrative, but it provided a different set of eyes on the situation.
Ketchum does a fine job of capturing the personality of Arnold and an exploration of his many grievances -- some legitimate, while many others were so contorted it made me feel sorry for him in a way. Clearly he had many demons that he battled. I also felt like I got to know Burgoyne quite well and Ketchum does a masterful job of explaining Burgoyne's decisions and his own battles with mental and physical fatigue.
My criticisms are minimal. I'm a visional learner and I rely on maps to understand troop movements and this book cries out for more maps. My other criticism is that like many books of this length, it needed a stronger editor to trim some of the more trivial recollections and the repetition of such threads as the British Army's supply line troubles.
Ketchum does a fine job of capturing the personality of Arnold and an exploration of his many grievances -- some legitimate, while many others were so contorted it made me feel sorry for him in a way. Clearly he had many demons that he battled. I also felt like I got to know Burgoyne quite well and Ketchum does a masterful job of explaining Burgoyne's decisions and his own battles with mental and physical fatigue.
My criticisms are minimal. I'm a visional learner and I rely on maps to understand troop movements and this book cries out for more maps. My other criticism is that like many books of this length, it needed a stronger editor to trim some of the more trivial recollections and the repetition of such threads as the British Army's supply line troubles.
December 3, 2024
This is a Revolutionary War battle that has interested me for a long time. Yet I have never read any histories about this particular event during the War for Independence. I’m not sure why but I was happy to run across this title. Plus I have read other books by this author so I had reasonable expectations that I would enjoy it.
I must admit I was a little disappointed, but only a little. The research was more than thorough and it is a very informative volume. The campaign that began with the retreat from Fort Ticonderoga and ended with the British surrender at Saratoga was covered in great detail. The author more than filled in the gaps in my knowledge of this battle.
What disappointed me was that perhaps too much information was provided. As a result the story tended to get bogged down at times. The first forty pages covered a peace commission to Canada that virtually went nowhere. And the author seemed a little obsessed with some of the ladies following the campaign as well as the number of people scalped along the way. Still, a very good source of information about the battle of Saratoga.
I must admit I was a little disappointed, but only a little. The research was more than thorough and it is a very informative volume. The campaign that began with the retreat from Fort Ticonderoga and ended with the British surrender at Saratoga was covered in great detail. The author more than filled in the gaps in my knowledge of this battle.
What disappointed me was that perhaps too much information was provided. As a result the story tended to get bogged down at times. The first forty pages covered a peace commission to Canada that virtually went nowhere. And the author seemed a little obsessed with some of the ladies following the campaign as well as the number of people scalped along the way. Still, a very good source of information about the battle of Saratoga.
June 1, 2023
Upon a recent visit to Saratoga battlefield I asked an employee for a book recommendation that would give me a greater understanding of the areas history in the revolutionary war. He had high praises for this title and said they use it as their “field guide” for tours.
As someone who has never shown a great interest in history, I found this book hard to put down. It is clear the author put a great deal of time and research into this book since he thoroughly described both the British and American perils and successes of this war. There were times I felt sympathetic not only for the Americans but the British as well. The author combines descriptive story telling with journal entries from this period.
I highly recommend this book for those who are seasoned history buffs or those wanting to become one like myself.
As someone who has never shown a great interest in history, I found this book hard to put down. It is clear the author put a great deal of time and research into this book since he thoroughly described both the British and American perils and successes of this war. There were times I felt sympathetic not only for the Americans but the British as well. The author combines descriptive story telling with journal entries from this period.
I highly recommend this book for those who are seasoned history buffs or those wanting to become one like myself.
January 16, 2024
My Amazon review on July 26, 2015: Superb Account!
I read Ketchum's book 'The Winter Soldiers' years ago and was highly impressed. 'Saratoga' is equally well-done. I only wish I could have visited some of the sites this summer but it was not to be. I did go to the Saratoga battlefield as a little child and probably saw my first cannon there, perhaps igniting a lifelong interest in military history. This is a highly readable account and very well researched and documented. Yet his writing is excellent and really brings the period and characters to life. You get a fine appreciation of how difficult the wilderness of the northern theater was to operate an army in. And the compressed time available for campaigning is really palpable as the days between spring and fall disappear. Yes, the maps could have been better, the only minor quibble.
I read Ketchum's book 'The Winter Soldiers' years ago and was highly impressed. 'Saratoga' is equally well-done. I only wish I could have visited some of the sites this summer but it was not to be. I did go to the Saratoga battlefield as a little child and probably saw my first cannon there, perhaps igniting a lifelong interest in military history. This is a highly readable account and very well researched and documented. Yet his writing is excellent and really brings the period and characters to life. You get a fine appreciation of how difficult the wilderness of the northern theater was to operate an army in. And the compressed time available for campaigning is really palpable as the days between spring and fall disappear. Yes, the maps could have been better, the only minor quibble.
July 10, 2017
Excellent account of a pivotal campaign that too often gets a brief mention in other books about the Revolutionary period. People who are tempted by big talk about a second American revolution would do well to read this. Ketchum does a good job portraying not just the rebel viewpoint, but also the views of the loyalists, the British, the Germans, and the Indians. A little more on the Oswego/Ft. Stanwix/Oriskany arena would have been good. Book does a commendable job showing how miserable things could get in the war zone.
May 5, 2025
This is an excellent account of the Battle of Saratoga and the events leading up to it. It was a big win for the Continental Army and the turning point in the war. Previously the Americans had only won a vistory at Trenton and a snall one at Princeton. It would prove decisive in France's deecision to enter the war. Until then the Continental Army was more noted for the deftness of their retreats more than any military wins, but here after many misteps by both sides the Americans gained a victory that changed their fortues,
October 10, 2017
I have never read a book more in need of editor. Not every bit of research one has done needs to end up in the book. One does not need to spend 5 pages on peripheral characters especially ones already commonly know like Ben Franklin. The book also has a lot of historical fiction elements to the writing that undercut what might be actual historical record in the book. A good editor could solve most of these issues and one would probably end up with a good book.
May 11, 2022
This book has an exceptional mix of military history as well as american political history. Ketchum seamlessly interpolates the lives and character studies of iconic american and british heros with poignant and detailed depictions of military action. This book covers some of the most important early historical events in American history and is a must read for anyone who wants to know more about the legacy of the men who fought and died to create the greatest country the world has ever known.
March 3, 2018
Excellent historical account of the action and pre-action at. Saratoga which truly turned the tide of the Revoultionary war
Excellent historical account of the action and pre-action at Saratoga which truly turned the tide of the Revoultionary war and encouraged the French to take up arms on the side of the Americans.
Excellent historical account of the action and pre-action at Saratoga which truly turned the tide of the Revoultionary war and encouraged the French to take up arms on the side of the Americans.
September 14, 2018
It's a wonder either side could have won this battle. Internal politics, jealousy, ambition, and outright animosity among some of the key players sure surprised me. This book gives great insight to those feelings, and does an even better job of describing the whole Albany campaign of the British, and how it was foiled by the "rebels". Great book.
June 26, 2020
Well written and researched account of this key series of events in the Revolutionary War. The book provides the story from both the British and American perspectives. Excellent use of primary sources that put a human face on the battles and the effects of war. Highly recommended for those interested in the Revolutionary War.
April 10, 2023
Fortune Smiles on Our Rebellion
A very authoritative history of how our freedom was won. A bit hard to follow the minutia of so many actions and people involved, but the point is thereby made that sometimes fortune does arise without direct control of mankind. A great read for those wishing to understand how we gained independence.
A very authoritative history of how our freedom was won. A bit hard to follow the minutia of so many actions and people involved, but the point is thereby made that sometimes fortune does arise without direct control of mankind. A great read for those wishing to understand how we gained independence.
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