The Seminole Wars 1818-58

Description

The Seminole of Florida were one of five so-called 'Civilized Tribes' who for many years lived in peace with the settlers. However, by 1815, frontier Americans had grown increasingly envious of their relative wealth and land, and resentful of their harbouring of former slaves. This book reveals the dramatic stories behind the ensuing Seminole wars, examining the dogged resistance displayed by the Seminole as they endured three drawn-out campaigns. Illustrated with careful reconstructions of the colourful and varied clothing and uniforms worn by both sides, the author discusses the organization and history of a tribe that refused to give in, until the sheer weight of the opposing forces ultimately led to their defeat.

Until his retirement in 2007, Ron Field was Head of History at the Cotswold School in Bourton-on-the-Water. He was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship in 1982 and taught history at Piedmont High School in California from 1982 to 1983. He was associate editor of the Confederate Historical Society of Great Britain, from 1983 to 1992. He is an internationally acknowledged expert on US military history, and was elected a Fellow of the Company of Military Historians, based in Washington, DC, in 2005.

"The campaigns make for dramatic reading, through Field resists the temptation to embellish with colorful language. Instead, he lets the combatants' actions speak for themselves (literally, in some cases, as Field makes excellent use of primary documents penned by American soldiers). Careful attention is paid not only to what happened, but why. Despite the slim dimension of the book--48 pages--there is a surprising depth of information here. Brilliantly rendered color plates, contemporary prints, and early photographs perfectly complement the text... The Seminole Wars 1818-58 is a concise but invaluable look at three poorly remembered wars that tested the endurance of combatants on both sides and ultimately shaped modern Florida." --Andrew Hind, Muzzleloader "American history holdings will welcome Ron Field's The Seminole Wars: 1818-58, a survey of the equipment, history and organization of the world's military forces. It packs in campaigns and details on the fighting men of both sides." --The Bookwatch (December 2009)