Quebec, 1759: The Siege and the Battle

by C.P. Stacey

The fall of Quebec in 1759 to British forces under James Wolfe led to the ultimate defeat of the French empire in North America. The dramatic battle on the Plains of Abraham not only set the course for the future of Canada; it opened the door to the independence of the American colonies some 20 years later. Stacey's account is regarded as the best ever written. This new edition contains all the text and the pictures of the previous edition, in a smart and generous new format.

Genres: History, Military History, France, Canada, 18th Century, Nonfiction

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1959

Reviews

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A detailed analysis of the pivotal battle in which the English captured the capital of New France--Quebec. Stacey focuses on the two opposing generals--James Wolfe and the Marquis de Montcalm. Both of them were killed in the climactic battle on the Plains of Abraham, west of the city.
Stacy points out that neither man was a military genius and that both generals made major mistakes in the 1759 campaign. It seems to have come down to a stroke of good luck, that Wolfe landed his forces on the right point on the St. Lawrence River, to the west of the city. It was a place uncovered by French forces, as Montcalm expected his enemy to attack elsewhere. In the clash of the English and French near the city walls, it came down to a matter of moments as the volleys of the well-disciplined redcoats decimated their foe.
Thus, the French empire in North America fell to those well-trained regulars who, in a later war, were considered "the scum of the earth" ( by Wellington).

[Ian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Long considered one of the essential works on the battle that determined the course of Canada for the next two centuries. Written by the top military historian of the time (official Canadian Army historian of World War Two). Not an easy style to follow, very 30's and 40's but Stacey does manage to paint clear portraits of the opposing generals, Wolfe and Montcalm and of the situations they found themselves in.

[Muaz Jalil · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great military history book by Oxford educated celebrated Canadian military historian C P Stacey. I bought the version edited by Donald Graves, which is available in the Citadel Musee in Quebec. Provides a very balanced picture of Wolfe and Montcalm, and the overall battle plan that took place in the plains of Abraham. It is interesting to note that some argue that because French lost to British in Canada that the 13 US colonies realised they no longer needed British military protection resulting in their independence. The US independence in turn made UK more open to Quebec's autonomy, leading to Quebec Act. Stacy discusses how originally it was planned to attack via Beauport and montmorency fall, how it was stupid of French not to fortify Levis and how bombing of lower Quebec from Levis was similar to RAf bombing in Germany. Wolfe was helped by luck when he attacked in plains of Abraham, Montcalm was premature in attacking, and by mixing regular with Canadiens, greatly reduced effectiveness of his troops. Reminded me of Normandy landing and how allies made Germans think they would land elsewhere, here it is Beauport. Very good and accessible book

[The Master · Rating 5 out of 5]

A triumphalist take on the Battle of the Plains of Abraham, first published in 1959. To be fair, Stacey points out the strategic shortcomings of both Wolfe and Montcalm, one of whom seemed to spend the entire summer of 1759 wondering what the hell to do, the other of whom seemed to spend the entire summer of 1759 wondering what the hell to do in response. Still, the author's sentiments lean unabashedly towards the redcoats. This is one for the "Rule Britannia" crowd.

[Paul Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written military and social history; immensely detailed but always human.