Saratoga: Turning Point of Americas
Revolutionary War by Richard M.
Ketchum
Detailed Work On A Turning Point In The Revolutionary War
In the summer of 1777 (twelve months after the Declaration of Indepence)
the British launched an invasion from Canada under General John
Burgoyne. It was the campaign that was supposed to the rebellion, but it
resulted in a series of battles that changed Americas history and that of the
world. Stirring narrative history, skillfully told through the perspective of
those who fought in the campaign, Saratoga brings to life as never before
the inspiring story of Americans who did their utmost in what seemed a lost
cause, achieving what proved to be the crucial victory of the Revolution.
A New York Times Notable Book, 1997
Winner of the Fraunces Tavern Museum Award, 1997

Personal Review: Saratoga: Turning Point of Americas
Revolutionary War by Richard M. Ketchum
"Gentleman Johnny" Burgoyne presented a plan to end the Revolutionary
War and stifle the American colonists' bid for independence. It would
involve a three-pronged campaign, with Burgoyne leading a contingent
from Canada down to Albany, NY. The end result, he believes, would be
the destruction of the Revolution itself.
However, as the Preface notes at the outset, "At Saratoga, the British
campaign that was supposed to crush America's rebellion ended instead in
a surrender that changed the history of the world." This book examines the
campaign conceptualized by Burgoyne and the factors that led to his
crushing defeat--and the entry of France as an ally of the colonial rebellion.
The story of Saratoga is also a story of English ineptitude. General Howe
was to send troops northward toward Albany; General St. Leger was to
lead a contingent from the west toward the east. The result would be a
devastating defeat of the colonials. However, Howe did nothing; St. Leger
was unable to make the rendezvous and turned back at Fort Stanwix.
That left Burgoyne alone against the American forces.
And never did a Yankee general get so much credit for so little merit as
Horatio Gates. He commanded the motley American army facing off
against Burgoyne. The book well illustrates that others, such as Benedict
Arnold, had a much more critical role in victory.
But the heart of the book is the factors leading up to the defeat of the
British army at Saratoga. Great detail, a well portrayed narrative arc, from
Burgoyne's optimistic start of the campaign to the lugubrious end. Well
portrayed are the battles at Fort Ticonderoga, the disaster at Bennington,
and the final denouement at Saratoga.
This is a nice portrayal of the campaign that changed the course of the
war, well written and with enough detail to understand what was
happening. Well worth looking at for those interested in this battle and the
Revolutionary War.
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