King William's War

The First Contest for North America, 1689-1697

De: Michael G. Laramie

Narrado por: Chris Monteiro

King William’s War actually encompassed several proxy wars being fought by the English and the French through their native allies. The Beaver Wars was a long-running feud between the Iroquois Confederacy, New France, and New France’s native allies over control of the lucrative fur trade. Fueled by English guns and money, the Iroquois attempted to divert the French fur trade toward their English trading partners in Albany and in the process gain control over other Indian tribes. To the east the pro-French Wabanaki of Maine, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick had earlier fought a war with New England, but English expansion and French urgings, aided by foolish moves and political blunders on the part of New England, erupted into a second Wabanaki War on the eve of King William’s War. Thus, these two conflicts officially became one with the arrival of news of a declaration of war between France and England in 1689. The next nine years saw coordinated attacks, including French assaults on Schenectady, New York, and Massachusetts, and English attacks around Montreal and on Nova Scotia. The war ended diplomatically but started again five years later in Queen Anne’s War.

King William’s War: The First Contest for North America, 1689-1697 by Michael G. Laramie is the first book-length treatment of a war that proved crucial to the future of North America.

The book is published by Westholme Publishing. The audiobook is published by University Press Audiobooks.

“The only modern study of King William’s War...written in a clear narrative style.” (Army History)

“Comprehensively researched.... The author’s precise writing style provides important contextual background.” (Choice)

“Straightforward, well-organized effort.” (Publishers Weekly)

©2017 Michael G. Laramie (P)2022 Redwood Audiobooks

very good

Loved it !! this story. the narrator is so fantastic it's like your really there!! good overall

Very Interesting

I didn’t know much about this time period and found this very informative. Narrator was fantastic!

Great bridge

Excellent fills in a lot of info between king Phillip and French and Indian 1754 - can’t wait for a Queen Anne’s war volume

Historical Framing of a Dark Corner of North American History

Being aware of Massacre of the Dutch in Schenectady, the ruthlessness of Colonial France was not foreign to me. However, the intentional barbarism of the French Imperial ambition was contextualized by the wider 17th century campaign depicted in King William's War.

An enjoyable listen about an obscure war.

I listened to this book in the car, walking my dogs, cooking or any chance I got. Even as a history buff a good book on the King William’s War is hard to find. Laramie’s book provides a detailed survey of the war and its participants. Though it did slow down in parts the descriptions of vessels, negotiations and battles brought certain moments to life. The narration showed care in the source material with their abilities to alternate between Algonquin, French and Early Modern English pronunciation in a sentence. Far from making history dry, the narrator also gives the wide assortment of voices speaking accents that make it clear who is speaking to you. Overall, an enjoyable book that a history reader/listener who likes unfamiliar conflicts that influence European settlement in N. American will benefit from listening to this book.