Author Description

An epic drama with a host of actors, Amerindians, Vikings, Basques, French, English…. Seven centuries of stirring adventure played out both at sea and on a continent whose vastness beggared the imagination of the Europeans who had come here. A common destiny pursued at Versailles, Quebec, Louisburg, Boston and Niagara. The author, who is Chief Curator of Historic Sites with the Canadian Parks Service, drew much of his inspiration from elements of the material culture, forts and barracks, uniforms, weapons and archeological remains to bring military operations in North America to life and foster a better understanding of how they were conducted. He devotes much of his book to the daily routine of soldiers and officers in New France and the often-misunderstood role that they played, not only in developing our society, but also in revolutionizing military tactics. It is a history book, reference work and art book all in one.