1759: The Year Britain Became Master of the World

Description

A remarkable new book on a crucial moment in British and world history. Although 1759 is not a date as well known in British history as 1215, 1588, or 1688, there is a strong case to be made that it is the most significant year since 1066. In 1759 - the fourth year of the Seven Years War - the British defeated the French in arduous campaigns on four continents and also achieved absolute mastery of the seas. Drawing on a mass of primary materials - from texts in the Vatican archives to oral histories of the North American Indians - Frank McLynn shows how the conflict between Brtiain and France triggered the first 'world war', raging from Europe to Africa; the Caribbean to the Pacific; the plains of the Ganges to the Great Lakes of North America. It also brought about the War of Independence, the acquisition by Britain of the Falkland Islands and, ultimately, the French Revolution.

Frank McLynn is a highly regarded historian, who specializes in biographies and military history. He has written over 20 books, including critically acclaimed biographies of Napoleon and Richard the Lionheart. Other books include 1066, Stanley, Marcus Aurelius and The Road Not Taken. He is a graduate of Wadham College, Oxford, and London University, where he obtained his doctorate.

A marvellous book: elegantly written, convincingly argued and packed with fascinating detail... it will do much to restore 1759 to its rightful place among the great years of British history -- Saul David * Sunday Times * An erudite and delightful literary and philosophical romp * Herald * McLynn's feisty and highly personal take on the pivot point of the Seven Years War adds fresh perspectives to the old story -- Stephen Brumwell * Times Literary Supplement * A stylish and fascinating account of the first global struggle * New Statesman * Splendid * Guardian *