[.ca] Wolfe and Montcalm: Their Lives, Their Times, and the ... (ISBN 1552979059)

Entertaining but Lacks Accuracy:
Despite being a labour of love, 'Wolfe and Montcalm,' recently published by Firefly Books, has its noticeable downfalls. The main errors lie within the historical description. For example, Carroll states throughout the text that Major-General Wolfe was thirty-one years of age during the Seige. This is more of a simple math problem than anything else. Wolfe was born January 2, 1727 and died September 13, 1759, making him thirty-two rather than thirty-one. Additionally, in the preface, Carroll remarks on the dress of the two generals at the Plains of Abraham. She incorrectly presumes that "Wolfe wouldn't be caught dead in gaiters" (p. 8) whereupon close examination of the sketch made by Captain Hervey Smyth (Wolfe's aide-de-camp) during the Seige clearly shows him wearing the above-mentioned articles with the tops turned down. The book, in its entirety, is readable and entertaining, but as a work of non-fiction it lacks the accuracy and depth of research required. For those interested in the lives of the two commanders, 'Le Marquis de Montcalm' by Thomas Chapais is the primary work regarding the career of Louis-Joseph de Montcalm. 'General Wolfe' by Richard Garrett provides a concise, to-the-point account of his subject, while Robert Wright's 'Life of Major-General James Wolfe' published in 1864 remains the definitive Wolfe biography.

Good for those who would just like to get a feel for history:
While not the best book to use for research, Wolfe and Montcalm is a good read for those who would like to get a general feel for these two gentlemen and the Seven Years War in Canada. There are indeed several factual mistakes in the book (ie: Wolfe was 32, not 31 during the Battle of the Plains of Abraham) but none of these really take away from the overall picture. The book reads more like a novel than a textbook and is relatively short; perfect for those who just want to get a feel for the subject.

good Book:
I enjoyed reading this book as it was fairly short and easily read quickly. It gave a brief history of most of the characters in war. I will persue futher to read more about the war but would recommend people reading it.

Fascinating:
Excellent, entertaining account of two complex characters who were pivotal in the history of North America. Ms Carroll is an wonderful writer: it's a gripping story, and very well told.