Alan Taylor (1) (1955–)

Pre-1770s history of ferment across the continent--not just the parts that became the 13 rebel colonies--focused on the interaction and conflict of cultures, emphasizing how Europeans and indigenous groups used each other to gain advantage over their neighbors—and how the latter were repeatedly disadvantaged by diseases brought by Europeans, or by their own neighbors who were reacting to European predations.

Important historical work that adds to the perspective of American history, especially the War of 1812, in which enslaved people fought for the British to earn their freedom.

Important historical work that adds to the perspective of American history, especially the War of 1812, in which enslaved people fought for the British to earn their freedom.

Intriguing subject matter on a comparatively obscure angle of history, quite revelatory, but the history itself is somewhat repetitive in the telling. It's not a failure of the book, it's a quality of the story being told. But it is a very enlightening examination of the surprising facts behind a war most Americans think they know a little about, but know less than they realize.