Synopses & Reviews
In a work The New Statesman called a stylish and fascinating account of the first global struggle, Frank McLynn, author of Wagons West, retells the riveting story of the deadly duel between Britain and France. Called the Year of Victories, 1759 was the fourth year of the Seven Years' War, also called the French-and-Indian War, and crucial victories in this two-front conflict laid the foundations of British supremacy throughout the world for the next one hundred years. Guiding us through England's conquests (and often extremely narrow victories) in India, North America, and the Caribbean, McLynn controversially suggests that the birth of the great British Empire was more a result of luck than of rigorous planning. Along with stirring depictions of colorful, daring generals and key battles, McLynn also prefaces each chapter with an essay on some intellectual or literary achievement. 1759 was the year Candide was published, as was Tristam Shandy, and these lucid prefatory essays are alone worth the price of the book (The Guardian).
Synopsis
If not for the events of 1759, the entire history of the world would have been different. Called the "Year of Victories," 1759 was the fourth year of the Seven Years, or the French-and-Indian War and defeat of the French paved the way for the global hegemony of the English language. Guiding us through England's conquests (and often extremely narrow victories), Frank McLynn (Wagons West) brilliantly interweaves primary sources, ranging from material in the Vatican archives to oral histories of Native Americans. In a stunning chronicle of a pivotal year in world history, he controversially concludes that the birth of the great British Empire was more a result of luck than of rigorous planning.
Synopsis
Frank McLynn makes the case that 1759 is the most significant year in British history since 1066, as a result of the two great battles that year whereby Britain effectively beat France for global supremacy and founded the first British Empire.