Valcour

The 1776 Campaign that Saved the Cause of Liberty

By: Jack Kelly

Narrated by: David Colacci

During the summer of 1776, a British incursion from Canada loomed. In response, citizen soldiers of the newly independent nation mounted a heroic defense. Patriots constructed a small fleet of gunboats on Lake Champlain in northern New York and confronted the Royal Navy in a desperate three-day battle near Valcour Island. Their effort surprised the arrogant British and forced the enemy to call off their invasion.

Jack Kelly's Valcour is a story of people. The northern campaign of 1776 was led by the underrated general Philip Schuyler (Hamilton's father-in-law), the ambitious former British officer Horatio Gates, and the notorious Benedict Arnold. An experienced sea captain, Arnold devised a brilliant strategy that confounded his slow-witted opponents.

America's independence hung in the balance during 1776. Patriots endured one defeat after another. But two events turned the tide: Washington's bold attack on Trenton and the equally audacious fight at Valcour Island. Together, they stunned the enemy and helped preserve the cause of liberty.

©2021 Jack Kelly (P)2021 Tantor

Fantastic work of nonfiction!

Amazing work can’t wait to listen to this one again soon! Love this narrator as well!

Great story about little known key Revolutionary Battle

Outstandingly researched monograph that hits the highs of generals and politicians’ thinking during the war, but also willing to uncover journals and other primary sources to discuss everyday soldiers, sailors, and families’ view points on the war and the Battle at Valcour.
Also, a fantastic review of Benedict Arnold’s story and fall from grace, which makes his story all the more tragic given his boldness and competence for the rebel cause initially.
Must read for any US military historian and hobbyists.

Have a Map When Listening

See how Lake Champlaine could become a dagger thrust into the New York heartland and you will appreciate the importance of keeping it out of enemy hands. In a time of poorly developed roads, waterways were superhighways... and efficient paths for invasion and logistic support. This work does a good job of clarifying the capabilities and limitations of ships and cannons abailable in 1776.

Too bad the rebels didnt have catamarans-- they would have sailed high speed circles around the best British battleship and been much harder targets to hit.

As for the British, they went on to brutalize India, Ireland, and other countries, but worst of all their own working men who were not Baron von Munchausen, Lord of Flies, Count of Monte Crisco, Duke of Earl, or other titled aristocracy (a problem the French solved temporarily in 1789-1793).

Dinged the otherwise excellent narrator a point for more than one reference to the year 1977 instead of 1777.

The too little told history of the northern campaigns and the disparate men who led those fights.

I especially liked the on depth knowledge of the people involved. Gates the Politician, Styles the Laird, Arnold the slighted Commander. All with huge egos.

Exceptional Historical information

One of the best historical summaries of a part of the revolution rarely mentioned in histories. Personalities and details fantastic and never mere boring fact recital. Cogent and relevant summaries of importance of decisions and actions