In "The Fort", Bernard Cornwell dramatizes the disasterous (for the Americans) attack on the British garrison at the Loyalist stronghold of Penobscot, Massachusetts (later Maine). Cornwell has upped his considerable game in this volume by interspersing selections from primary sources related to the doomed expedition. These, plus his stronger than usual historical note at the end of the novel, provide vital historical context as well as support for his narrative choices. Cornwell has written many series of novels, but this is a stand-alone tale that will appeal to anyone with an interest in the American Revolution or of military history in general. The political and tactical mistakes of the American force (consisting of the Mass. militia & navy, and elements of the Continental Navy) foreshadow the mission's failure- considered by many historians to be the US's worst naval disaster before Pearl Harbor. As always, Cornwell seamlessly weaves together the lives of real historical figures with invented characters. In this tale, we see a side of Paul Revere not often glimpsed, and learn of the early exploits of British Army legend John Moore.