Guns at the Forks (Pitt Paperback ; 152)

By Walter O'Meara

Book Overview

Guns at the Forks is a special reissue commemorating the 250th anniversary of the French and Indian War. In a spirited, intelligent, and informative history, O'Meara tells the story of five successive forts, particularly Fort Duquesne and Fort Pitt, and the dramatic part they played in the war between 1750 and 1760. He describes Washington's capitulation at Fort Necessity, Braddock's defeat at the Monongahela, and Forbes's successful campaign to retake Fort Duquesne. Although most of the action in the book takes place at the strategically important forks of the Ohio, where present-day Pittsburgh stands, O'Meara's narrative relates the two forts to the larger story of the French and Indian War and elucidates their roles in sparking a global conflict that altered the course of world events and decided the fate of empires.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0822953099
• ISBN13: 9780822953098
• Release Date: July 2005
• Publisher: University of Pittsburgh Press
• Length: 280 Pages
• Weight: 0.97 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.1" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Wilderness Battles for a Continent

Guns At The Forks tells the story of the five forts that were built at the forks of the Ohio River (modern Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) - Fort Prince George, Fort Duquesne, Mercer's Fort, Fort Pitt and Fort Fayette, and the struggle to control this key bit of real estate that was crucial to the control of the whole inner continent. It keeps a tight focus on the story line of the struggle for this bit of land, and relates only the details of The French and Indian War and Pontiacs Uprising that bear directly on the fate of the forts at the fork. The fascinating events that surrounded this struggle include George Washington's first entrance onto the world stage as a young man sent on a dangerous winter mission, and the following year bungling his first military mission and precipitating the start of the French and Indian War. Braddock's Massacre, the greatest British military defeat up to that point in history, happened while attempting to wrest the forks from the control of the French and capture Fort Duquesne. The subsequent years of Indian raids that terrorized the Pennsylvanian and Virginian frontiers were all launch from Fort Duquesne, until the relentlessly plodding Forbes expedition finally put an end to French power at the forks. The English then built their greatest North American fortress, Fort Pitt, at the forks, which was one of the only forts on the frontier to withstand the native attacks during Pontiac's Uprising, with an assist from Colonel Bouquet and his highlanders at the Battle of Bushy Run. The book relates all of these riveting stories in fascinating detail. If you have an interest in The French and Indian War, Pontiac's Uprising, Pennsylvanian regional history, or the colonial frontier, consider this book a must read. It is extremely well written, and reads smoothly while weaving its history as a riveting tale - highly recommended. Theo Logos

Well done

Excellent account of Ft. Pitt /Duquesne and its use in the French and Indian war.Using written reports from both side and a familarity with the ground O'Meara does a fine job making a vivid picture of the English, French and the Indians (yes I said Indians) in between. You see all three sides in this quest for the control of the waterways vying for position and when possible using each other.This book was written in the mid 60's and the total lack of political correctness shows to the joy of the reader. It is a pleasure to see an author willing to call the roasting alive of a prisoner what it was , savage! That this is a parallel to some reporting of events to day make it even more relevent.One final note. The truth of the Fog of war is illustrated as both side seemed to have no true idea of what they were facing and were released from their ignorance only when events or luck overtook them. This is a truth of war that never ends.Very much worth adding to your home library.

Good narrative

It is a good read, though people looking for a more scholarly, documented, well-researched study of the campaigns of Braddock and Forbes should use Fred Anderson's Crucible of War.

Excellent Annalysis of the Struggle for Pittsburgh

This is a 270 page must-read history of the British, French, and Indian struggle for control of the point where the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers meet to form the Ohio River. The book includes maps, pictures, diagrams, photos, index and bibliography. The author manages to present a balanced approach, and cuts through many long believed myths, with a rational, easy to understand style.

Another great piece of history on the first frontier.

This book dovetails all important historical accounts of the French & Indian war as well as the Revolution. Mr. OMeara brings great men such as, Robert Rogers, Gen. Braddock, Gen. Washington and even Benedict Arnold (when he was a good guy) into play. It is a virtual potpourri of who's who, and how they connect with the current Pittsburgh area. It brings out many small,yet certanily not insignificant, facts about these men and many others. Read about one of George Washingtons first blunders as a leader of an army, and how Gen. Braddock had marched an army in the dead of winter into the harsh wilderness to meet the Marque de Montcalm, and ultimately his fate. Again a must read for those who seek the truth about the Colonial era.