Boone Ayala’s Reviews > Flintlock and Tomahawk: New England in King Philip's War > Status Update

Leach sees Philip as conspiring against the English (29) but unready in June 1675. Instead, “the war came before Philip really wanted it, as the circumstances of the Sassamon case and the ardor of his hot-blooded young braves forced his hand” (49).

A both-sides narrative of KPW that nonetheless gives the English the benefit of the doubt every time. Leach clearly sees the English as more civilized and destined to civilize the Natives, who engage in acts of “defiance” to righteous English authority. The both sides narrative breaks down - the English wanted to destroy the Native way of life and dominate them; the Natives didn’t want this. “Both sides.”