Kevin J. Weddle

Saratoga was the "compleat" victory, and this is the "compleat" history of the campaign. Magnificent and definitive, with a smooth narrative. Weddle covers everything from macro to micro, from strategy councils in London to first person battle narratives of the combat. You feel like you can completely understand the flow of the campaign, strategically, operationally and tactically. Excellent maps. Especially effective is Weddle's analysis of the many personality conflicts that were central to the events: Gates/Schuyler, Gates/Arnold, Carleton/Germain, Gates/Washington, Clinton/Howe, Carleton/Burgoyne, etc each one is presented impartially. Command lessons are explicated throughout with outstanding cogency. Exceptional military history.… (mere)

While the title suffers from a touch of hyperbole ("Lincoln's Sacrificial Admiral" would have been a better choice), Weddle gives a good sense of Du Pont's personal contributions to his service and the nation as an administrative reformer, a strategist, a diplomat, and as a combat leader. As for the ill-fated assault on Charleston that led to Du Pont's downfall, Weddle does note that while too much was expected from Du Pont's command, it cannot be said that the man addressed the challenge with the all the vigor and attention to detail he might have been expected to display as the USN's preeminent sailor.… (mere)