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15th out of 95 books
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7 voters
The Scratch of a Pen: 1763 and the Transformation of North America (Pivotal Moments in American History)
In this superb volume in Oxford's acclaimed Pivotal Moments series, Colin Calloway reveals how the Treaty of Paris of 1763 had a profound effect on American history, setting in motion a cascade of unexpected consequences, as Indians and Europeans, settlers and frontiersmen, all struggled to adapt to new boundaries, new alignments, and new relationships.
Britain now possess...more
Britain now possess...more
hardcover, 224 pages
Published
May 1st 2006
by Oxford University Press, USA
(first published January 1st 2006)
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Not as well written as other books by professional historians aimed at the general public that I have recently read. However, the author provides a detailed picture of the changes to the North American continent that resulted from the 1763 Peace of Paris treaty than ended the momentous Seven Years War (usually called the French and Indian War in America). The treaty ended the French presence on the continent that dated back two centuries and included a huge amount of territory from the St. Lawre...more
Calloway's book looks at the demographic shake-up that the Treaty of Paris of 1763, after the French & Indian War (Seven Years' War), afforded upon the North American continent.
Throughout the book, it also makes clear that in the treaty itself, where Britain inherited most of North America, were the seeds of the it's undoing. An expensive world war to be paid for, in part, by Americans; restrictive land use by those whom won the war, the Anglo-Americans; usurpation of native Indian land by...more
Throughout the book, it also makes clear that in the treaty itself, where Britain inherited most of North America, were the seeds of the it's undoing. An expensive world war to be paid for, in part, by Americans; restrictive land use by those whom won the war, the Anglo-Americans; usurpation of native Indian land by...more
My city, St. Louis, was founded as a trading post in 1763. (Well, that's when Pierre Laclede and his stepson Auguste Chouteau came up the river from New Orleans and chose the site. They came back in February of the next year to start building.) I did know a lot else was happening on the continent that year, but never so well as Calloway tells it. Incidentally the Epilogue, the last seven pages of the book, is an excellent capsule "look ahead" discussion of the far-reaching influence this year an...more
I didn't hate this book, but I was certainly disappointed by it. It has all the flaws of modern academic history: too much emphasis on other historians and primary sources at the expense of narrative, a somewhat monotonous emphasis on Indian agency that stopped adding rhetorical power after the first few times, and-- most of all-- a refusal to aim high. The books goals are small-bore and the narrative stays with simple social change that doesn't really aim for finding the biggest causal forces....more
Short, basic overview of a somewhat neglected area of history: how the end of the French & Indian War affected the peoples of North America geographically, culturally and politically. Calloway demonstrates how the foundation for the American Revolution was already being laid thirteen years before it began. He especially focuses on how the war's outcome affected various Native American tribes and their relationships with the colonists.
First class diplomatic and Social History Show how the terms of the Peace of Paris of 1763 played havoc with most of the organized socio-ehtnic groups living in North America. It set in motion a collision between British and colonist; colonist and native Americans; and native Americans and blacks. Diplomats in Paris played fruitbasket turnover or 52 card pickup with large groups of people 5000 miles away.
This book is another in the series of American history books I have read in the last two years that turn the received wisdom of the early years of our country on its head. If I were a more creative person, this book would provide the underlying plot of any number of wonderful historical novels or alternative histories. One could imagine a sweeping Margaret Mitchell-esque story of the serial evacuation and repatriation of first the Spanish and then the English in pre-Revolutionary Florida. One co...more
I thought this was a good book. I sometime felt like I got lost on the many places and people. It was somewhat difficult to all the connections that he was hoping to draw in the book. There was just a lot of countries and people to keep straight. I do see how 1763 was such a huge year in the history of our country.
It definitely makes me feel sorry for way the British, French and Spanish treated Indians. wow.
It definitely makes me feel sorry for way the British, French and Spanish treated Indians. wow.
A fascinating examination of a period of North American history of which I knew very little. I highly recommend it if you are interested in reasons for the American Revolution, history of Quebecoises and Acadians, and inter- and intra- First Nations interactions with and as a result of European imperial powers.
Calloway provides an excellent and brief description of the state of British North America in the crucial year of 1763, right at the end of the Seven Years War. This was a required text for a course I took on the American Revolution in the Spring of 2010 at Temple University - Ambler.
You wouldn't think that one year in history could have much affect on the years that followed it. But this book makes very clear how critical 1763 was to North America, even more than 200 years later. Great book.
A fantastic historical look at North American before and after the signing of the Declaration. I great book for any revolution and founding fathers lover out there.
Loved this history book. It gives you a view of the Native Americans that you did not know existed.
Very interesting insight into the real causes behind the American Revolution
A detailed, if uneven look at an often overlooked aspect -- and yes, determinant of the American experience. There is a lot of good information and background here, although it does not flow particularly well. What does flow well is the introduction and the epilogue. The epilogue, in fact IS the story, and the author does an excellent job of putting the spolis of the war into context and how the parties involved never overcame the die that was cast with all that was the 1763 Treaty of Paris.
Worked with Dr. Calloway this past July at Dartmouth College. Wasn't into it as I would have liked, my fault not the author's. Plenty of interesting information.
Colin Calloway deftly lays out the impact of the Paris Treaty of 1763 on the North American continent. He does an excellent job of capturing the diversity and complexity of peoples that were affected by this monumental treaty that reshaped the political and cultural geography, set in motion a revolution, and resulted in the ultimate defeat of Native American land rights’. It is on the short list for anybody interested in learning more about early North American history.
I really liked this book because it made me think about American history from a different perspective. It amazed me to find that the French signed away a huge tract of North America in exchange for a few islands--and they may have gotten the better part of the deal. It was also interesting to read that England gaining control of this region actually destabilized its hold on the continent.
I like reading about history, but this was the most boring, nonsensically organized book I've ever read.
BORING, but there were some interesting facts to be taken away. It reminded me of some of my least favorite books I had to read in my college history classes. Do not read this book if you do not absolutely love history. It is probably one of the reasons there are people who claim to hate history out there.
I mean, it's a textbook for my history class. Though, it WAS much better than most history books I've had used in classes.
Seems to be a great, consice book on the time around and during the French and Indian War. Focuses on the feelings generated during the era that led to the American Revolution.
Thank god he gave us the questions from each chapter and I just had to skim. I can't imagine reading this whole book word for word.
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Sep 26, 2008
Mary Brinkman
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This book was so fascinating, it sent me to the library to read much, much more about this period in our continent's early history.
A Chaotic attempt to (yet again) paint America as an evil fascist tyranny--even before there was an America.
Interesting book, but it's bogged down in minutiae.
Informative
Apr 29, 2013
Sarah Disantis
added it
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