From Our Editors
During the War of 1812, some said Canada was let down by poor
leadership. British Generals in the War of
1812 examines the questionable leadership of five
generals in particular: Sir George Prevost, Isaac Brock, Roger
Sheaffe, Baron Francis de Rottenburg and George Drummond. According
to Wesley B. Turner, the background of these
generals did nothing to prepare them for the war. Each general's
military work is critiqued while the author asks why all of these
men, except for Brock, are now forgotten.
From the Publisher
In British Generals in the War of 1812 Wesley Turner takes a
fresh look at five British Generals - Sir George Prevost, Isaac
Brock, Roger Sheaffe, Baron Francis de Rottenburg, and Gordon
Drummond - who held the highest civil and military command in the
Canadas. He considers their formative experiences in the British
Army and on active service in European and West Indian theatres and
evaluates their roles in the context of North American conditions,
which were very different from those of Europe. Wesley Turner
answers questions about the quality of each general''s leadership,
particularly that of Isaac Brock, the best known of these five
generals. He argues that Brock''s charge up Queenston Heights - the
basis for his heroic stature - was brave but hardly a demonstration
of competent leadership. Turner also shows us that while the other
generals displayed courage in combat, they had to face problems
raised by American military successes and by the strains of warfare
on the civilian population. British Generals in the War of 1812
explores why these commanders succeeded or failed and why, except
for Brock, they are all but forgotten.
About the Author
Wesley B. Turner has recently retired from the history
department at Brock University.
About the Book
The Canadian people have faced crises of leadership, but never more seriously than during the War of 1812. Despite the many studies of this turbulent time, there are still controversies over traditional issues, one being the quality of leadership on both sides.
Format: Hardcover
Published: June 4, 1999
Publisher: McGill-Queen's University Press
Language: English
The following ISBNs are associated with this title:
ISBN - 10: 0773518320
ISBN - 13: 9780773518322