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Essay / American History in the White Devil Book - 1239
Brumwell, Stephen. White Devil: A True Story of War, Savagery, and Vengeance in Colonial America. Da Capo Press Inc. March 2005. The book opens with "Nous sont tours Sauvages", which translates to "We are all savages". It's a fitting way to begin a book telling the story of Major Robert Rogers and his ranger journey, massacre of Native Americans, and return home. In White Devil: A True Story of War, Savagery, and Vengeance in Colonial America, author Stephen Brumwell paints an unbiased and well-researched picture of: war, hardship, courage, savagery, revenge, and survival. Brumwell wants to show his readers a picture of the true nature of war and all the trimmings that come with it. There has never been a war without atrocities being committed. Furthermore, there has never been a war where atrocities were not committed by all sides, to one degree or another. This war was no different. This fascinating read draws on a wide range of primary sources, including Rogers' journals, contemporary newspaper articles, letters and recollections of Rogers' surviving Rangers, and several generations of Abenaki oral history. The book is organized into a well-detailed and precise story. story of Rogers' journey. It recounts the massacre at Fort William Henry that led to everything. Rogers' journey to Canada to the village of St. Francis. His vengeful massacre of the village in retaliation. Then the consequences and the perilous journey home. Research from numerous primary sources gives it a historical tone. Abenaki oral traditions themselves play a role on the other side of the conflict. Summarizing the book in a few paragraphs does not do it the justice it deserves. The beginning details the French and the Indians......the middle of the article......h and the French and the Indians, but shows some of the ironic nature of this conflict: due to the kidnappings and tribal adoption, some Abenaki Indians probably had almost as many English ancestors as the pioneers they opposed. The English frontiersmen could be as “savage” as the Indians. Brumwell does a great job of dispelling the clichés and stereotypes that many have become accustomed to. It uses the archives of the oral tradition of the Abenaki Indians to give voice to both sides. This is an excellent book from start to finish. It is a true companion for history buffs and a great addition to any library. The book is as complex in its knowledge as it is simplistic and detailed in its images. As a result, this book can be read by specialists as well as general readers and can be compared to almost any text highlighting the French and Indian War or its aftermath..