Monday, September 28, 2020

The Compleat Victory: Saratoga and the American Revolution (Kevin Weddle)

Kevin Weddle’s account of the American Revolution’s Saratoga Campaign, The Compleat Victory, is a well-written chronicle of what is arguably the turning point of the American Revolution.

Weddle walks readers through the British and American perspectives of the battles, the early struggles the Americans had in fighting back British advances from Canada, and the series of strategic miscues made by British leadership and field commanders which paved the way for the surrender of British forces in October 1777. The author then discusses the subsequent turn of events after the American victory, which included not only France’s support of the American cause but also the potential power play to usurp George Washington’s command.

Most of us are aware that the Saratoga battles mark the point when America’s fight for independence went from fighting chance to legitimately possible. Weddle takes our basic knowledge of the campaign and adds the strategic moves and tactics throughout the events of the Saratoga campaign, tying them to create the inside information on how the Americans won in Upstate New York. The Compleat Victory is well worth your time if you have an interest in historical battles and the American Revolution.

MY RATING - 4

 

Thursday, September 3, 2020

Singular Sensation: The Triumph of Broadway (Michael Riedel)

In Singular Sensation: The Triumph of Broadway, journalist and theatre critic Michael Riedel takes readers into one of the most transformative decades in Broadway history -- the 1990s. In addition to British musicals like Les Miserables and The Phantom of the Opera staying fan favorites, musicals like Rent, The Lion King, and The Producers made their wildly popular debuts.

But lest you think everything was covered in roses in the '90s, Riedel also takes us behind-the-scenes of Broadway's total flops, shocking downfalls, and bitter disputes. He also goes beyond the '90s to September 11, 2001, sharing how New York mayor Rudy Giuliani asked Broadway to reopen just two days later to allow people to come together and boost morale.

The weakness of The Truimph of Broadway? Many fans probably know some of these stories already. However, whether you know them or not, The Triumph of Broadway is still an enjoyable walk down memory lane.

MY RATING - 3.5

Available November 10, 2020