Rating: 
Summary: Priming the pump for the American Revolution
Review: "Few reveries haunt history professors more insistently than the dream of writing a book accessible to general readers that will also satisfy their fellow historians' scholarly expectations ... I must admit that I wrote this book because of it." Thus begins Fred Anderson's prodigious study of the effects of the Seven Years' War, and its immediate aftermath, on the prospects for the British Empire in North America.Roughly the first half deals mainly with the military conflicts of the Seven Years' War that involved Great Britain, Spain, Austria, Prussia and Russia, and focuses primarily (because the title says "British North America") on the French and Indian War, which is the term used in United States history to differentiate the North American theater of the conflict from the whole. Anderson never states the obvious, which is the fact that, compared to the size of the European battles measured by numbers of deaths and troops involved, the North American "battles" were hardly more than mere scuffles. However, while the European clashes resulted in nothing more than a maintenance of the continental pre-war status quo, those across the Pond cost France her North American holdings, and transformed Britain into the world-class empire that the term "Britannia" brings to mind. In describing the North American confrontations, Anderson spans the period from 1754, when an inexperienced Lieutenant Colonel George Washington got ensnared in a massacre of French regulars at Jumonville's Glen, to 1760, when Anglo and Colonial forces captured Quebec and Montreal. Perspective is maintained with frequent digressions to the seesaw war in Europe and the policy endeavors of kings George II and III and their chief ministers, among whom William Pitt and George Grenville predominated. I particularly enjoyed Anderson's perspective of General Wolfe's startling conquest of Quebec. Some might criticize this as unsupported revisionism. However, in the absence of any conclusive facts to indicate the contrary, a certain zest is added to the military debate. And, in the final reckoning, what difference does it make? Beginning the volume's second half, it's 1763, the war has ended, the treaties of Paris and Hubertusburg have been signed, and the British government is casting about for ways to make its new empire, and especially the American colonies, pay for the mother country's support. Thus, Parliament commences passing those measures that put the unrepresented colonists in a snit, and which are the starting point for most literary examinations of the Revolutionary Period: the American Duties (Sugar) Act, the Stamp Act, the Currency Act, and the Quartering Act. Anderson's well taken point - indeed, the working hypothesis of his whole book - is that the Colonies' ultimate ungrateful, Bad Attitude had its genesis not beginning in 1763, but in 1754. Simply put, the Seven Years' War forced the Colonies and the Mother Country to make common cause, and this familiarity became the breeding ground for future disenchantments. To achieve the author's intent quoted at the beginning of this review, it's almost a given that his narrative would have to be a relative overview uncluttered by the detailed minutiae demanded by some hardboiled historians. Perhaps the two goals are incompatible. Indeed, I may have learned more than I ever wanted to know about the disastrous Stamp Act. However, while the author could have paraphrased with more brevity this and certain other aspects of the North American historical record - the activities of individual Indian chiefs, the internal squabbles of the various colonial governments, the greedy plots of land speculators - he did, in my opinion, admirably achieve his design. Certainly, THE CRUCIBLE OF WAR is long enough. Indeed, because it's a sober work based on extensive research and not a thriller, it took me almost eight weeks of evening reading on the couch to digest its 746 pages. However, I remained interested from beginning to end, and never got bogged down. Anderson's book is a fine historical composition for anyone interested in the period. Lastly, I want to quote Anderson's delightful characterization of the sixty-year old Benjamin Franklin when the latter testified before the British Parliament in 1766 against the Stamp Act: "... he danced through the interrogation like a cocky teenager waltzing down Philadelphia's Market Street with a Dutch dollar in his pocket and a great puffy roll tucked under each arm." I loved it!
Rating: 
Summary: British glory shared
Review: Highly readable and highly recommended account of the Seven Years' War in the crucible of North America, involving the brutal and exhausting confrontations between the British Redcoats, French troops de la marine and the American Indian. However, this book is not your typical and, I have to admit perennially enjoyable account of British Glory and Empire Building at the expense of France. No. Read the title and I can tell you this is most definitely an American academic writing an American history of what is argued by this author as an essentially American war. In its favour this makes for both a revealing and detailed account upon the pretty much indispensable role the Indians and colonials had upon the successful British prosecution of the war. If perhaps not winning the war for Britain then surely preventing it's defeat, the author puts emphasis on factors such as the Indian nations siding with the British and the massive manpower contributed from the often reluctant colonies. Whether intentional or not Fred Anderson puts the colonialist's support for Britain in a bad light. The colonial assemblies' willingness or lack of, to either provide provincial troops or support British troops in the first half of the war, a war that was being fought on their behalf against a confident and bellicose enemy puts the war effort into a hew that never really changes into a favourable one, despite the best efforts of the author to beef up their importance. Indeed, that their contributions had to be financially guaranteed by William Pitt before they would cough up any sort of significant contribution to their own defence staggers belief and casts a long shadow upon the story of Britain and her American colonies fighting a war against the French enemy- together. The often cited intransigence of the "Americans" or British colonials, depending on the author's retelling of failings or successes tells us that a revolution of sorts had already occurred between the mother country and its American children, years before that schism was forcefully brought into view in the American War of Independence. So, there's lots to ponder over then, especially for us Brits! Anderson rifles through every conceivable detail of the story and rarely leaves a stone unturned in the examination of the war's cause, length, and reasons for victory and defeat on both sides, thorough evaluations from colonial taxation to the enthralling fall of Quebec. For British readers it is worth mentioning that in all areas Anderson tries to give an American side to the war, which can seem strange to those brought up on General Wolfe and the Thin Red Line, not the seemingly unheroic and ill-disciplined colonial militias. The sheer intensity of the war and its importance to the development of a global empire for Britain are slightly overshadowed by this American point of view. It can also be slightly irritating to find traditional British titles of rank such as Duke and Earl spelt in the lower case together with Britain's empire. I wonder if historians of Rome commit to the same protocol? Mute points perhaps for a book that paints the fullest picture possible of the French and Indian War, portraying all aspects of the British, French, American and Indian point of view, and thus does exactly what it says on the tin. A triumph of engaging history and a triumph for a history that needed to be told in its fullest light.
Rating:
Summary: Maybe this was the original World War
Review: Crucible of War, by Fred Anderson, is an all-encompassing analysis of the Seven Years war and its effect on North American politics in the post war era. It is this matter of "post war" that makes up the main thesis of the book. Anderson argues that all those things we learned about in grade school social studies about the pre-revolutionary years (stamp act...) are properly considered part of the post-war years of the Seven Years war, and that way that war unfolded in North America and elsewhere led to the breach between England and its colonies. Most of the book, though, is a traditional survey of the war, primarily in North America. Anderson shows how the war started up, and covers the events in as much detail as anyone other than a specialist could want. It's a rather exciting story, actually. One could easily refer to this war as the first truly "world war". It was, after all, fought on several continents, and involved a number of countries. Equal attention is paid to the military and political aspects of the war, particularly to English politics and not so much to the French. We see how the colonial attitude changed over time as policy towards the colonies changed during the conflict. As the war ends in North America and eventually everywhere, we move entirely into the political situation as England attempts to pay for the war. Also covered are the always-delicate relations between colonists, English, and the Indian population, both those allied with England and with France. On the whole, it was a very complicated situation, and Anderson covers it clearly. In the end, we do see that North America was a crucible of war, both the Seven Years war, and the Revolution as a natural response to that war.
Rating:
Summary: The Title Says it All
Review: This title is an extremely detailed account of the French and Indian War in North America, with background on the Seven Years' War in Europe. The interweaving stories and abundance of historical British, American, Indian and European characters can be dizzying sometimes, but never boring. Especially well written chapters include those on the fall of Canada (esp. Montreal), Fort Ticonderoga, and the British involvement on the Continent in the German states. Also, a very interesting collection of plates created from artwork done by British officers during the war is included as a chapter entitled "Scenographia Americana". Finally, the real draw is Fred Anderson's tilt as a professor: the war is shown in the larger context of how the British first struggled to gain supremecy in North America and western Europe, and then how they struggled to maintain it. Although it may be a little difficult to digest at times, this book will be very rewarding for people who love both colonial and 18th century European history, and those who want a detailed interpretation of events that led to the American Revolution. Just be prepared to invest some time.
Rating:
Summary: Colonial/Imperial History Alive and Well in "Crucible"
Review: In this book on colonial and imperial history, 1754-1766, Fred Anderson sweeps the Seven Years War out of the periphery of our historical memory and revitalizes it through new insights with this comprehensive tale. Namely, that this conflict led to changes in the structures of the British and French Empires which in turn led to the American War of Independence. He shows how the British policy was changed in its attitude toward the colonies throughout the war and how the colonists themselves were changed in the aftermath of the war by those policies as they were implemented. With these goals stated he leaps into some of the most engaging history that I have read. Anderson has captured the epic feel of that era by bringing the main actors to life, and not limiting the history to a series of military campaigns. There are economic, diplomatic and cultural considerations that Anderson takes time to address. All actors on the stage of this conflict are portrayed to the exclusion of none. The aftermath of the war is included, ending with the colonial tax acts that are often portrayed as the cause of an 'inevitable' American revolution. Crucible offers a valuable reassessment of their place in history, making them the product of the Seven Years War and not a prelude to revolution. Anderson's writing style is well suited to both the part time historian and a student majoring in history (undoubtedly professors as well). I would not be surprised if it became a common text in classes covering colonial or imperial history. This is a big, thick and juicy piece of history that will keep you up during the night reading. Enjoy it, for the Crucible is a rare find!
Rating:
Summary: Well written history
Review: Most people who are not history aficionados find such tomes to be boring and bland reading, useful primarily for falling asleep. Even an objective historian will admit that most history books tend to be dry and uninspiring. Dr. Anderson's work is a rare and welcome departure. It is one of the most well written histories I have ever encountered. Prior to its release, other histories of the French & Indian War tended toward being narrow, incomplete or seen as at best a precursor to what in American eyes is the more important American Revolution. Anderson's effort puts this pre-Revolution era in its proper perspective, and accurately elevates it to its more vital significance in the global perspective. Instead of being the backwater trial run leading up to the supposedly more important Revolution, it was really part of a world war; and the Revolution more an aftermath than the main event. It is a balanced narrative. Anderson explains the unfolding events both from the American and British point of view. This makes it easier for the reader to understand the gradual polarization on each side of the Atlantic that led inexorably to Revolution later. He also endeavors to present the French perspective as well as that of the various Indian nations. What brings the story to life, though, is his skill in blending the strategic events with colorful rendition of individual people and events. As an historian, he is blessed with a 'zoom lens' that equally sees both the little guy and the big picture. His detailed account of Washington's folly in the Ohio wilderness that became the matchstick to ignite world war is particularly poignant. Along with A Peace to End All Peace by David Fromkin, Anderson's book is one of the two best histories I have read. I highly recommend both to everyone, even those who seldom delve into history.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding!
Review: By far the finest, most incredibly complete account of the Seven Years War I have read todate, treating England's conflict and awesome achievement as a massive global effort, as opposed to just our North American version, The French and Indian War. I better understand the role of this intense event in the slow formation of colonial American resistance to Britain. Independance took almost 30 years to occur and the subject matter, (the pros and the cons, the rights and the wrongs (pun intended)) is dealt with impecably. As you read this excellent work, you can almost tick off on your fingertips the incredible British blunders which had to eventually result in and force American independance. The American Revolution did not occur because colonial Americans did not support their King, but rather, because their King failed his colonists so very, very miserably.
Rating:
Summary: a long book, detailed honorable
Review: Interested in the birth of the American psyche? Before the revolution the American colonies were driven into a viscous war with their northern and western neighboors, the french and indians. Forced to learn the art of colonianal combat and deep forest fighting in a hostile climate the colonies earned a sense of independence. This war was also dotted with the interested personalities of General Pitt and Montcalm. THis book fills an essential gap in American history. A great read for the military scholar and the political historian.
Rating:
Summary: American History as Grand Strategy
Review: Few American history students will readily relate the French and Indian War to worldwide events, let alone the struggle on the European continent in the Seven Years War. Anderson masterfully weaves a highly readable, very well-researched tale that presents the reader with the complex components of the war: attitudes of the colonists toward self-government, England; British policies concerning their American possessions and subjects; Indian relations with the colonial governments and merchants. Moreover, the Crucible of War superbly translates the maneuverings and machinations of colonial, Briton, Frenchman and Indian into international grand strategy, and argues that the French and Indian War represented the culmination of British empire on the North American continent. Anderson's book is a boon for the novice as well as well-versed historian, amatuer or otherwise, in this period. It is an easy read and his endnotes are a valuable resource for the more serious. Also, Crucible of War is replete with maps, a seeming requirement for any history book to be widely popular. It is somewhat rare that a contemporary work will quickly earn the moniker 'classic,' but it would not be surprising if Crucible of War is placed on that level soon, if it is not already. An indispensible book for one's library.
Rating: 
Summary: Good But Not Great
Review: Overall, Crucible of War is a pretty good but not a great read. At times it is riveting. But other times it bogs down in too much detail, especially political detail. The major weakness of the book is the author's bias. The overall tone is decidedly anti-British/American. He also has an anachronistic, politically correct view of Indians, which makes large parts of the book all but unbearable to knowledgeable readers. (Read Allan W. Eckert's "Wilderness Empire" for a more reasonable treatment of the Indians during this war.)
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