📖 Overview
Valcour: The 1776 Campaign That Saved the Cause of Liberty recounts a naval battle on Lake Champlain that proved crucial to the American Revolution. Author Jack Kelly reconstructs the events leading up to this confrontation between British and American forces in October 1776.
The narrative follows Benedict Arnold before his infamous betrayal, as he oversees the construction and command of an American fleet built from scratch in just months. Kelly details the logistics, strategy, and personalities involved in this race against time to prevent the British from splitting the colonies in two via the lake route from Canada.
The book draws from primary sources to present the perspective of both sides - from colonial shipwrights and sailors to British commanders and Native American scouts. Military movements and tactical decisions are explained within the broader context of the Revolutionary War's early stages.
Through this focused examination of a lesser-known campaign, Kelly illuminates how seemingly minor engagements could determine the fate of nations. The story demonstrates the role of preparation, innovation and sheer determination in the face of overwhelming odds.
👀 Reviews
Readers highlight Kelly's ability to bring this lesser-known Revolutionary War battle into focus with clear narrative pacing and attention to detail. Many note they had never heard of Valcour Island before reading the book.
Readers appreciated:
- Clear explanations of naval terminology and warfare
- Balanced coverage of both American and British perspectives
- Integration of primary sources and firsthand accounts
- Maps and illustrations that aid understanding
Common criticisms:
- First third moves slowly with extensive background setup
- Some repetition in battle descriptions
- Limited coverage of Native American involvement
Ratings:
Goodreads: 4.2/5 (141 ratings)
Amazon: 4.6/5 (164 ratings)
Notable reader comments:
"Made a complex naval campaign understandable for land-lubbers" - Goodreads reviewer
"Too much focus on Benedict Arnold's later treason when discussing his role" - Amazon reviewer
"Maps could have been more detailed and numerous" - LibraryThing reviewer
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Washington's Crossing by David Hackett Fischer The story of Washington's Delaware crossing and the subsequent battles of Trenton and Princeton demonstrates how these engagements changed the course of the Revolutionary War.
The Battle for New York by Barnet Schecter A military history of the 1776 New York campaign chronicles the British invasion and Americans' escape from destruction that preserved their army for future victories.
Revolutionary Summer by Joseph Ellis An examination of the summer of 1776 interweaves military and political events to show how the Americans withstood British military might while declaring independence.
In the Hurricane's Eye by Nathaniel Philbrick The naval story of the American Revolution culminates in the 1781 Battle of the Chesapeake, demonstrating how sea power proved decisive in winning American independence.
🤔 Interesting facts
🌟 Benedict Arnold personally led the American naval force at Valcour Island, demonstrating brilliant tactical leadership years before his infamous betrayal.
⚔️ The naval battle on Lake Champlain helped prevent a British invasion force of 8,000 men from reaching Albany and splitting the colonies in two.
🚢 Americans built their entire fleet for the battle in just 75 days, constructing ships from green timber while battling shortages of everything from nails to skilled workers.
🗺️ Author Jack Kelly spent years retracing the routes of both armies and navies, walking the grounds of old fortifications, and consulting previously untapped primary sources to create this detailed account.
🏆 The book won the American Revolution Round Table of Philadelphia's Book Award and was named one of the Best Books of 2021 by the Journal of the American Revolution.