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Note: We have just published a reformatted editon of this book, March 2007.
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Quebec, 1759The Siege and the Battleby C.P. StaceyEdited and with new material by Donald E. GravesA superb account of the Battle
of the Plains of Abraham --
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The capture of the town of Quebec by British forces under James Wolfe in 1759 brought about the ultimate British victory in the contest with France for dominance in North America. It opened the door to the independence of the thirteen English colonies some twenty years later, and the brief dramatic battle outside the walls of Quebec set the course for the future Canada. C.P. Stacey's book has long been regarded as the best on the siege and the battle and the events that preceded them. The drama and significance of the battle, and the lionization of Wolfe, have diverted attention from the pertinent and intriguing questions that the historian must ask, and which Stacey was one of the first and most astute to answer. Who made the plans? When were the critical decisions taken? Why did they succeed and how nearly did they fail? What sort of man was General Wolfe? Was Montcalm a good or better soldier? Stacey's text offers important new evidence and discussion of these and other questions in an approach that is even-handed, knowledgeable and wonderful reading. In this handsome new edition, Stacey's text appears in its entirety. Editor Donald E. Graves has, however, added many new picture essays and maps, as well as new appendices and updated references and bibliography, making this the most complete, attractive and authoritative book available on the subject. Cover painting The spectacular cover painting is by Peter Rindlisbacher,
noted marine artist. Quebec, 1759: The Siege and the Battle was first published in hardcover in 1959 by Macmillan of Canada and subsequently appeared as a Pan paperback and a Laurentian Library paperback. |
About the author Charles P. Stacey (19061989) served as the Canadian army's historical officer in London during the Second World War and was the chief army historian 1945-59. He completed the book on Quebec as "a fascinating avocation" while he was working on his account of army operations in World War II. He subsequently joined the History Department of the University of Toronto (1959-76). Among his well known books are Six Years of War: The Canadian Army in Canada, Britain and the Pacific and A Very Double Life: The Private World of Mackenzie King. About the editor Donald E. Graves has been called "Canada's most reliable and readable military historian" and a "master of the battlefield narrative." A graduate in history of the University of Saskatchewan, he has written, co-written or edited nearly a dozen books and served as an historical consultant for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's People's History of Canada. Donald Graves is perhaps best known for his popular series Forgotten Soldiers: The War of 1812 in the North: (Field of Glory: The Battle of Crysler's Farm, 1813, and Where Right and Glory Lead: The Battle of Lundy's Lane, 1814, with a third volume forthcoming) but he is also the author of South Albertas: A Canadian Regiment at War, regarded by many as one of the best unit histories of the Canadian army in the Second World War, and the editor of Fighting for Canada: Seven Battles, 1758-1945. His most recent book as author is Guns Across the River: The Battle of the Windmill, 1838. One of his current research projects
is a study of the tactical battle to close the Falaise Gap in
August 1944. For a complete list of works by Donald E. Graves, go to Books by Donald E. Graves. To visit the website of Donald E. Graves, go to Sword and Pen. |
The details (reformatted edition of March 2007) 320 pages, 6.75 x 9.75 inches, paperback More than 100 illustrations and maps Detailed appendices, notes and bibliography, index |
Publication: First RBS edition May 2002. Reformatted edition March 2007 ISBN 978-1-896941-50-9 $29.95 |
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