Ethan Allen & the Capture of Fort Ticonderoga: America's First Victory (Military)

This is a great travel guide. The writing is breezy and the story telling dramatic. Lots of maps and GPS coordinates for major locations makes self-guided touring very convenient. I can just imagine a navigator reading from the book while a driver heads to the next place mentioned. And I think that's exactly how the author intends his book to be used. Historical touring is his business and the book uses heavy stock so it won't fall apart under the rougher handling of a road trip.Unfortunately, the Amazon description wasn't clear on that, at least to me. I bought the book as a historical and genealogical reference.The book doesn't use citations or number references, although there's a lengthy bibliography. (Confusingly, there's at least one source mentioned in the text that's not in the bibliography, although loosely referenced as a "general note.") The lack of specific references means that there's no guidance for additional research. And while not all popular history writing includes citations/references, this book has a number of minor errors, which don't detract from a tour book, but raise doubts about a history. I was also frustrated to discover that many (most?) of the names in the book aren’t in the index, including people mentioned often and throughout the story.Additionally, the history isn't nuanced. The very complex Ethan Allen is all-good, Vermont is good and NY is bad, and all the action was about fighting tyranny. The simplicity makes for a more exciting story, which is fitting for a travel book (or a high school history book). But it doesn’t allow for more than a superficial understanding of history.

This book contains fantastic information. I am so glad to have this book. Chronicles The mustering of men on the way to take Fort Ticonderoga at the beginning of the Revolutionary War.

I am not a fan of this author's writing style. It's written for ease of reading at the Middle School level. It also drips with unnecessary patriotism and "rah rah rah!" for a history book. Avoid it and read other books on the topic. I'd highly recommend "Those Turbulent Sons of Freedom" instead of this novel if you need to scratch your Green Mountain Boys itch.

Adds info to what I've been studying, well presented.

Very interesting history

very pleased

Satisfied

Think you know the full story of how a brave band of men captured Fort Ticonderoga in 1775? Think again! In his new book, "Ethan Allen and the Capture of Fort Ticonderoga", author Dick Smith delves deeply into the origins of the patriots who quietly but determinedly marched north from Connecticut, recruiting all the way up what is now Rte 7, to deliver the vital fort into American hands. It was America's first victory, and Dick tells the tale well. Though we know the outcome, his writing keeps us in suspense. His use of detailed, yet easy-to-read maps helps us on the journey. His photographs of landmarks, some still extant, add to the pleasure of the read. His appendices, notes and bibliography contribute immeasurably to one's knowledge of American history. You'll bust your buttons with pride over what our forebears did during a few weeks in a long-ago April. Don't miss this book!