📖 Overview
The Conquest of New France chronicles the struggle between Britain and France for control of North America in the 18th century. The narrative spans from the early French settlements through the French and Indian War.
Wrong details the key military campaigns, political maneuvering, and colonial developments that shaped this pivotal period of North American history. The text covers major figures like Montcalm, Wolfe, and colonial governors while examining the complex relationships between European powers, colonists, and Native American nations.
The book explores the strategic importance of territories like Quebec, the Great Lakes region, and the Ohio Valley in determining control of the continent. The role of geography, naval power, and frontier warfare receives particular focus in explaining how events unfolded.
This historical account reveals broader themes about empire-building, the clash of European colonial ambitions, and the transformation of North America through imperial conquest. The consequences of this conflict continue to influence Canadian and American society today.
👀 Reviews
Readers report this book provides a straightforward chronological account of the French-British struggle for North America. Many find it serves as a basic introduction to the period, though note it reflects early 20th century historical perspectives.
Liked:
- Clear narrative flow
- Focus on military campaigns and political maneuvering
- Inclusion of primary source quotes
- Detailed battle descriptions
Disliked:
- Dated colonial viewpoint and bias against French/Native peoples
- Limited coverage of social/economic factors
- Dry academic writing style
- Lack of maps and illustrations
Review Stats:
Goodreads: 3.4/5 (48 ratings)
Amazon: 3.7/5 (12 ratings)
Internet Archive: 3/5 (8 ratings)
Common reader comment: "Informative but shows its age in both style and perspective" - Goodreads reviewer
The book receives more attention from academic historians than general readers, with most viewing it as a product of its time rather than a current authoritative source.
📚 Similar books
The French and Indian War by John R. Cuneo
This book details France's final struggle to maintain control of North America through military campaigns, native alliances, and colonial settlements from 1754-1763.
Crucible of War: The Seven Years' War by Fred Anderson The text examines how Britain's victory over France in North America reshaped colonial relationships and set the stage for the American Revolution.
Montcalm and Wolfe by Francis Parkman This historical account follows the parallel lives of French General Montcalm and British General Wolfe through their final confrontation at Quebec in 1759.
Empire of Fortune by Francis Jennings The book chronicles the complex web of alliances between European powers and Native American nations during the struggle for control of North America.
The French in Early America by William J. Eccles This work traces French colonization efforts in North America from the first settlements through the loss of New France to Britain.
Crucible of War: The Seven Years' War by Fred Anderson The text examines how Britain's victory over France in North America reshaped colonial relationships and set the stage for the American Revolution.
Montcalm and Wolfe by Francis Parkman This historical account follows the parallel lives of French General Montcalm and British General Wolfe through their final confrontation at Quebec in 1759.
Empire of Fortune by Francis Jennings The book chronicles the complex web of alliances between European powers and Native American nations during the struggle for control of North America.
The French in Early America by William J. Eccles This work traces French colonization efforts in North America from the first settlements through the loss of New France to Britain.
🤔 Interesting facts
🗺️ George M. Wrong was a Professor of History at the University of Toronto for over 30 years and helped establish the Department of History there.
🏰 The book covers nearly 150 years of French colonial history in North America, from the early 1600s to the British conquest in 1760.
⚔️ The text details how the relatively small French population (about 70,000) managed to control vast territories and challenge the much larger British colonies (over 1 million colonists) for decades.
🌿 Wrong's narrative includes fascinating details about the relationship between French colonists and Native American tribes, particularly the complex alliance system developed by Samuel de Champlain.
📚 Published in 1918 as part of the "Chronicles of America" series by Yale University Press, the book was one of 50 volumes designed to create a comprehensive narrative of American history.