British Generals in the War of 1812: High Command in the Canadas

British Generals in the War of 1812: High Command in the Canadas

by Wesley B. Turner

McGill-Queen's University Press | June 4, 1999 | Hardcover

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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.
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British Generals in the War of 1812: High Command in the Canadas

British Generals in the War of 1812: High Command in the Canadas

by Wesley B. Turner

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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

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