The Man Who Lost America

The remarkable life of the British general who was decisively defeated and surrendered to his American Revolutionary opponents at the Battle of Saratoga. A perfect book for readers who wish to learn more about his extraordinary life and for those who like the works of Nathaniel Philbrick, Jon Meacham, and Ron Chernow.

In the summer of 1777, Lieutenant General John Burgoyne led a force of eight thousand men southwards from Quebec with the aim of joining two other British forces from New York City and Lake Ontario to reach Albany, New York. The two supporting British forces never arrived, and Burgoyne was surrounded by American forces. After winning an initial battle near Saratoga he was met by an even larger force in the same location and was overwhelmed.

Historian Edmund Morgan states that Burgoyne's surrender was "a great turning point of the war, because it won for Americans the foreign assistance which was the element needed for victory."

Yet, was General Burgoyne solely to blame for the British tactical mistakes? And who was this man entrusted to put a halt to the American Revolution?

Noel B. Gerson sheds light on the life of John Burgoyne, not simply on his military career through the Seven Years War and the American Revolutionary War, but also on his political career as a member of the House of Commons, as well as his somewhat surprising achievements as a playwright in Georgian England.

Gerson's work draws from numerous primary sources, including a number written by Burgoyne himself, to present a fascinating reassessment of the soldier, dramatist, and politician who became known as "The Man Who Lost America." It deserves to be read by all interested in this thrilling period of history.