The Astonishing General: The Life and Legacy of Sir Isaac Brock (Google eBook)

Wesley B. Turner

Dundurn, Jun 16, 2011 - Biography & Autobiography - 376 pages

This book is about Major General Sir Isaac Brock (1769 - October 13, 1812). It tells of his life, his career and legacy, particularly in the Canadas, and of the context within which he lived. One of the most enduring legacies of the War of 1812 on both the United States and Canadian sides was the creation of heroes and heroines. The earliest of those heroic individuals was Isaac Brock who in some ways was the most unlikely of heroes. For one thing, he was admired by his American foes almost as much as by his own people. Even more striking is how a British general whose military role in that two-and-a-half-year war lasted less than five months became the best known hero and one revered far and wide. Wesley B. Turner finds this outcome astonishing and approaches the subject from that point of view.

What people are saying

Review: The Astonishing General: The Life and Legacy of Sir Isaac Brock

User Review  - Hypatia - Goodreads

I have mixed feeling about this book. It was very interesting, but I feel like it was not very well written. I think the author tried too hard to remain neutral (hoping to sell both sides of the ...

Review: The Astonishing General: The Life and Legacy of Sir Isaac Brock

User Review  - Shonna Froebel - Goodreads

This book is an account of Isaac Brock, focusing on his time in Canada. Very little is here about his life before coming to Canada, and most of this book is limited to external views on his life. The ...

Contents

• Preface: 9
• The World of Isaac Brock: 15
• Isaac Brock Joins the Army: 25
• Early Years in the Canadas 180207 From Regimental Commander to Commander of the Forces: 33
• Brock An Officer with Many Roles 180810: 49
• Brock in Upper Canada 181011: 55
• 1812 Preparations for War: 79
• War Breaks Out in the North and West: 107
• Brock Goes to War: 129
• Brocks Last Battle: 155
• Sheaffes Day: 189
• The War Continues: 207
• The Making of a Hero Reflections on Brock: 221
• Timeline of Brocks Life: 241
• Brocks Speeches to the Legislature: 245
• Proclamations: 255
• Biographies of Significant Individuals: 263
• Inventory of Brocks Estate and Purchasers: 279
• Notes: 285
• Bibiliography: 347
• Acknowledgements: 361
• Index: 363
• By the Same Author: 371
• BACK COVER: 377

About the author

Wesley B. Turner earned his Honours BA and MA from the University of Toronto and a PhD from Duke University. He taught history in high schools and at Brock University for thirty-one years before retiring. Author of five books, seven biographies in the DCB, articles, and book reviews, Wesley is also a member of many historical societies. He lives in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Bibliographic information

• Title: The Astonishing General: The Life and Legacy of Sir Isaac Brock
• Author: Wesley B. Turner
• Edition: illustrated
• Publisher: Dundurn, 2011
• ISBN: 1459700074, 9781459700079
• Length: 376 pages
• Subjects: Biography & Autobiography / Historical; Biography & Autobiography / Military; History / Military / General