For anyone interested in history, this is one of the most compelling kinds of reads. Specifically, “turning points” in a war: a battle or season of war that, had it gone horribly wrong, would have proved a tipping point toward the loss of the war that could not have been reversed. Or alternatively, a success that directly affected, long-term, the outcome of the war. Though the core of the book consists of five events, there are also good reflections at the beginning and end of what constitutes a turning point. An added plus is a number of perspectives and dynamics that make for interesting reading. For example, the value of planned retreat and avoidance of full-scale conflict. Or how the British officers, soldiers, or political leaders in England viewed the campaign in discussion. Opinions of that day, from both sides, can tend toward either understatement or hyperbole. But this is often due to either bias (personal or political), or simply the genre/conventions of letters written to appeal for support. Maass expertly parses these opinions, as well as other data, to put all the puzzle pieces together.

Yet another very well researched and informative book from Mr. Maass. This book was straight to the point and had a lot of detailed content.

This detailed account of the pivotal moments of the American Revolutionary War lays open the risks that were taken on both sides that should they have gone wrong, would have spelt disaster for the American Rebels. As it turned out, the risks taken by the British Commanders did not work in their favour and gave benefit to the Revolutionary forces. The account also brings to light the impact that the French recognition of American Independence had on the final outcome of the war as British resources were transferred from the American uprising to protect British Caribbean assets from French aggression. This, combined with the support of French forces directly into conflict, led to the inevitable result of the British surrender at Yorktown in1783.