The History of Canada Series: Death or Victory: The Battle For Quebec And The Birth Of An Empire

by Dan Snow

Perched atop a tall promontory and surrounded on three sides by the treacherous St. Lawrence River, Quebec City forms an almost impregnable natural fortress. But in 1759, with the Seven Years War raging around the globe, the capital city of New France came under attack. With the irascible British general James Wolfe in command, a force of more than 100 ships carrying nearly 9,000 men navigated the river, scaled the cliffs, and laid siege to the town in an audacious attempt to expel the French from North America forever.

It would be a brutal battle, with British soldiers confronting the troops commanded by the French general, the marquis de Montcalm. They were on unfamiliar terrain and facing extreme weather, a colonial militia, and experienced First Nations warriors.

Using original research and multiple perspectives, Dan Snow grippingly describes the events that would reshape North America and, eventually, change the British Empire forever. Death or Victory is history—military, political and human history—told on an epic and thrilling scale.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Military History, Canada, War, Military Fiction, Historical

560 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2009

About the author

Daniel Robert Snow MBE is an English popular historian and television presenter.

Reviews

['Aussie Rick' · Rating 4 out of 5]

This first book by Dan Snow offers an in-depth account of the fighting for Quebec as part of the British campaign to wrest Canada from the French Empire in 1759. Overall it’s a very good account, well researched and nicely presented. The author provides a 'warts-and-all' view of all the main characters, British, French & Canadian and offers a non-biased view of the events. He also goes into some detail in setting the scene for the climatic battle on the Plains of Abraham under the walls of Quebec.

If you have no previous exposure to this battle or this period of history the author provides some interesting information on how soldiers and sailors moved, drilled, ate, fought and died. The level of detail is not excessive and does not detract from the story nor distract the reader from the narrative unless you already have some prior knowledge of this period.

Four maps are provided at the start of the book although I think more detailed maps could have been provided. There are a number of nice colour plates (33) that add to the narrative and some that I have not seen before. So in just over 420 pages of text you come away from this book with a better understanding of the events leading up to this famous battle, what happened on the Plains of Abraham and what happened after the smoke cleared.

Overall it’s a good story, well told by the author, and I would heartily recommend it to anyone who hasn’t previously read anything about this battle. Having said that, to me, it doesn’t appear to add anything new to my understanding of the events of 1759.

'I remember/That born under the lily/I grew under the rose'

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent, well researched, book about the siege and fall of Quebec in 1759. It is heavily based on primary sources, the diaries and letters of the main commanders and some of the soldiers involved. The insight into the views and moods of the commanders on both sides are fascinating. On the French side there were significant differences between Montcalm, of the regular army, and Vaudreuil, Governor of Quebec, who expoused the value of the Canadian Militia and Native Americans. This had to be sorted out in Paris, where Montcalm was given overall control, but Vaudreuil had to be consulted on all decisions. In concern not to injure pride and hurt feelings, it resolved nothing.

On the British side Wolfe is shown to be brilliant in his interactions with and care for the ordinary soldier, but indecisive and unable to relate with his subordinates. He disparaged the navy. Yet Saunder's passage up the St. Lawrence and through the narrows, regarded as impassable by the French, is probably one of the most impressive naval feats of the Seven Years War. The final decision to attack using the Plains of Abraham was reached by Wolfe's three brigadiers and Saunders while Wolfe was incapacitated by fever.

But it is the descriptions of the soldiers and inhabitamts of Quebec, which make this book so readable for the non-historian. Quebec was an awful place to live in during the winters of 1758/9 and 1759/60.

[Ming Wei · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is huge on detail and information, a fantastic historical book, people interested in the war and history will love this book, so much information provided, but done in a way that is both interesting and not over saturating for the reader. Would be useful for historical students, really worth reading, no editorial errors, well produced, quality feel to the pages, nice book cover.

[Alan Camrose · Rating 5 out of 5]

If any book about the horrors of war in the eighteenth century can be viewed as enjoyable, then this was, for me, an enjoyable read.

Written in clear prose, providing a raft of contemporaneous quotes from figures art the centre of or close to the action, Dan Snow creates a tense atmosphere, even though many readers will know what is coming...

The clock ticks ominously quickly through the pages from the early part of the summer of 1759 to the iconic conclusion and beyond.

I found the book to be well balanced between the people and the military history. Not too much loving recounting of the hardware and the marches; plenty of commentary on the fears, the uncertainties and the pride of those in the thick of it, and the excitement of what might have been at great turning points in the siege..

Sometimes, there was some repetition of facts and background, but not too much, and somewhat understandable given the twists and turns of the campaign. The strengths and weaknesses of the main protagonists are nicely observed, to the extent that the levels of chance, brilliance and incompetence are laid bare in front of the reader. The sections detailing the rats-in-a-sack behaviour of the higher ranks on both sides are especially compelling.

Happily, this is a non-gooey-eyed look at the creation of an iconic man at a pivotal historical moment.

[Brandon Rock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dan Snow weaves an extraordinary account of the events and individuals involved in the battle for Quebec.

Through included maps, illustrations and personal accounts of the combatants and civilians; a well laid-out chain events is portrayed.

With the advantage of hindsight, Snow has created a well-balanced narrative that promotes an in-depth understanding of the conflict. More importantly, the wider impacts of the siege are well considered in how it shaped the British Empire.

What did get my back up as a reader when at first, was Snow's 'grand' claim of the impact of the siege to begin with; and then not reinforcing until his conclusion. In all honestly, Snow being a historical presenter would produce these 'cons' for me and his comments are not unfounded.

Ultimately, its a great read that intrigues the reader as a narrative unfolds before your eyes. The global perspective Snow accounts for, provides a well-informed chronicle of the conflict and the impact it made upon the World.

[Patricia Hansen-Vosberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have French Quebecois ancestors and I was halfway through this book before I was stuck with the realization that my ancestors lived through this event. I've never read a history book before where I can for sure say that I know they were not near the events of the book but very much in the middle of those events. It becomes a strange thing to read a book like that. But this book was deeply engaging long before that realization. The detailed explanation of both sides strategies, tactics, peoples, and histories leads to characters that are profoundly *human* and incredibly relatable. I felt connected from the beginning and I had trouble making myself stop reading to do things like sleep and work. Many times we can forget how jarring an event like waking up a French citizen but ending the day as a British one can actually be. This book reminds us that history is unfolding in front of us constantly and no one is immune to its effects.

[Bill Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author draws mostly on the journals of British and French military officers to present an orderly account of the Battle of Quebec that, decided what nation would control of North America. Somewhat ho hum reading until British forces under the command of James Wolfe’s finally scale the cliff above the St. Lawrence River, and gave the French Army a good shellacking.

[Garry Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, well written and researched book on the Battle of Quebec and the end of New France.

I thought it was a pretty even telling of the tale, giving equal weight to both the English and French side of events.

[Ballerina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, very informative and clearly written. The full description of the causes and subsequent events of this important historical event are covered very well and really gives the reader an excellent understanding. Worth reading.

[Nathaniel Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like immersive narrative history from a decidedly Anglophile perspective, you’ll have no issue with this book; on the contrary, you will find it a true delight.

[Jerome Otte · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent history of the battle for Québec, although it doesn’t add anything new. Snow draws heavily on journals and diaries of the era, and he does a great job showing how this pivotal event of the war was actually a pivotal part of world history. Also interesting is how France’s defeat led to further British imperial expansion.

Snow argues that James Wolfe was not a brilliant commander by any means and shows how the battle on the Plains of Abraham was just one in a series of clashes, and that the British won only barely. As usual in an age where “military professionalism” was more or less non-existent (at least in a modern sense) there was a good deal of incompetence and ego-clashing on both sides.

Overall, this is a great history of the campaign and has much to commend it. Snow’s poor attempts at humor can be a little distracting, though: "[Guy Carleton]’s career had been blighted by some indiscreet remarks he had made about the quality of George II’s troops from his cherished native Electorate of Hanover. George had come to hear of these jibes and hell hath no fury like an elector scorned.” Seriously?

Snow has a good command of the subject matter and a firm grasp of all the details. A well-researched, balanced history of the battle.

[Robert Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books on the famous battle with the Author providing new research on the role of the Royal Navy who provided the essential logistics for Wolfe and his troops under very trying conditions. A certain Captain Cook was kept very busy making charts to enable the Ships to navigate the upper St.Lawrence which the French Commanders knew was very difficult. After weeks of feints,fire ships and ambushes the Navy put the Army ashore and so the future of Canada was decided by a relatively small Battle.

[Rod · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent account of the siege of Quebec; the personalities and times. Compare with Northern Armageddon, it akes side excursions to give atmosphere and provide further details on such things as the state of the Royal Navy. If you're looking for a quicker account of the campaign, Northern Armageddon may be the better choice. Personally, I enjoyed the flavour brought be the additional details,

[Daryl Nichols · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book. Easy read. The chapters on how the British moved a sailing fleet up the river and into position was totally fascinating. If you have an interest in the period, I recommend this book.

[Mark Carlen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible detail of the Battle for Quebec that I have not seen before. Wonderful filler and make me want to go back to Quebec to see the sights again.

[Pete · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the turning points of the Britsh Empire and a balanced view of Wolfe and how it could easily have gone either way.

[David Leivesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent and well researched account of the siege of Quebec in which Dan Snow argues was pivotal in ensuring Britain's dominance for the ensuing 200 years