Rating: 
Summary: Excellent account of "the turning point of the Revolution."
Review: "Saratoga" is the third book written by historian Richard M. Ketchum on major battles of the American Revolution. Using letters and other first-hand accounts from both American and British sources, Ketchum skillfully, impartially, and with great detail narrates the events which occurred in upstate New York during the spring, summer and autumn of 1777. These included the early British victories at Fort Ticonderoga and Hubbardton; the later American victories at Bennington and Freeman's Farm; and the surrender of all British forces by their commander, Lieutenant General John Burgoyne, at Saratoga, New York, on October 17, 1777. For me, this was a fairly well written account of the battle commonly described as "the turning point of the American Revolution." Ketchum's descriptions of the various personalities and battles are vivid and colorful, and almost transported me to the battlefield. However, "Saratoga" is not as good as his earlier works "Decisive Day" and "The Winter Soldiers." The pace of the narrative is slower, especially at the beginning. Here Ketchum seems to go into too much detail setting the stage for battles to come. (For instance, I kept wondering why so many pages were devoted to the author's description of the Franklin-Carroll mission to persuade Canada to join the rebellion.) "Saratoga" could also have benefited from more maps and illustrations of better quality. These are, however, relatively minor reservations about an overall excellent book, one which I heartily recommend to anyone seeking a greater understanding of one of the most important battles ever fought on North American soil.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent account of "the turning point of the Revolution."
Review: "Saratoga" is the third book written by historian Richard M. Ketchum on major battles of the American Revolution. Using letters and other first-hand accounts from both American and British sources, Ketchum skillfully, impartially, and with great detail narrates the events which occurred in upstate New York during the spring, summer and autumn of 1777. These included the early British victories at Fort Ticonderoga and Hubbardton; the later American victories at Bennington and Freeman's Farm; and the surrender of all British forces by their commander, Lieutenant General John Burgoyne, at Saratoga, New York, on October 17, 1777. For me, this was a fairly well written account of the battle commonly described as "the turning point of the American Revolution." Ketchum's descriptions of the various personalities and battles are vivid and colorful, and almost transported me to the battlefield. However, "Saratoga" is not as good as his earlier works "Decisive Day" and "The Winter Soldiers." The pace of the narrative is slower, especially at the beginning. Here Ketchum seems to go into too much detail setting the stage for battles to come. (For instance, I kept wondering why so many pages were devoted to the author's description of the Franklin-Carroll mission to persuade Canada to join the rebellion.) "Saratoga" could also have benefited from more maps and illustrations of better quality. These are, however, relatively minor reservations about an overall excellent book, one which I heartily recommend to anyone seeking a greater understanding of one of the most important battles ever fought on North American soil.
Rating: 
Summary: A splendid , splendid narrative.
Review: A splendid, splendid narrative, intricately crafted and extremely readable.Mr. Ketchum has captured the grand panorama of the politicians' and generals' war, and overlayed it with the sufferings and emotions of the individual soldier. With words drawn from contemporary letters and diaries, the author has succeeded in infusing the narrative with the flavor and character of the era , such that the complete package plays out like a finely crafted symphony. "Saratoga-Turning Point of the Revolutionary War" should be read for its clarity, its history and its prose, and should satisfy both the history lover and the general reader.
Rating:
Summary: Fabulous
Review: A terrific book, and the best one on the battle of Saratoga that you'll ever read.
Rating:
Summary: A gem
Review: Excellent book, trust me! ... Someday, after a long lifetime of mostly nonfiction reading, I'll look back on this one and say Ketchum's Saratoga is one of the gems I would really regret having missed ... If any of you readers out there knows of any other such treasures in this topic (American Revolution) as this one, please let me know. americanrevolution@kovac.ch
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: I like this work almost as much as I did The Winter Soldiers. Ketchum is an excellent author. I would recomend this work to any fan of Revolutionary War history. I would have liked to have seen a little more analysis of the impact of the battle politically. Saratoga was an essential turning point in gaining the full support of the French. Ketchum provides less than one chapter on this aspect of the battle. I found Ketchum's dicussions of the difficulties with clothing and travel and provisions very interesting. I also found Ketchum's discusssions of the personalities very interesting.
Rating:
Summary: A terrific history
Review: I picked up this book after having read Ketchum's brilliant "Divided Loyalties: How the American Revolution Came to New York". I was just as impressed with this marvelous text, "Saratoga: Turning Point of America's Revolutionary War". I think that Richard Ketchum has become as important to recounting the critical events of the Revolutionary War as John Keenan has been with World Wars I and II. What impresses me most is his persuasive argument. Any pivotal moment during the Revolution could have been termed a "turning point". But after conveying the details of the battle, the struggles of the terrain and weather, the torturous communications, the events that led to the battle and those that came later, I cannot argue against his case. Like most historians, Ketchum has that ability to bring the moments back to life, to convery that sense of urgency of the event: and he does it by using primary sources as well as his own research. But beyond that, he uses the language in a way that is easily understandable without talking down to the reader. I wish that could be said of other historians! Pick up this book.
Rating:
Summary: Historic battle come alive in this narrative....
Review: I read this book when it first came out and was enthralled. I happen to live in the Lake Goerge/Saratoga region, and know the surroundings he describes VERY well. I have visited many of the sites mentioned in the text. Believe me, his perspective on the landscpapes, and the hardships of travel in this locality are very accurate. Like many reviewers comments, he has a way of description that brings the pages to life. The struggle and turmoil of the local people invloved and their undecided nature was well written. How the locals in the region took to this invasion from the north, and how they eventually rallied just in time to thwart their advance at (old) Saratoga was right on the money. Surprisingly, the Parks, and Historical sites that remain today, as well as some of the "areas" left somewhat untouched by history, still give one the sense of wonder. If you find it incredible how these armies could advance through some of the terrain he describes, you would be twice as surprised by actually seeing it as I have. As I read this narrative, I was fortunate that I could place myself exactly where he describes the campaign and visualize from his text and my own perspective from visits I have made. I could tell that this author had been here before. I met the author in Glens Falls, NY right in the "heart" of the region he decribes, and found him to be as graceful in person as he is on the written page. A true historian. Books on the Revolutionary War are not known to be written with the "glamour" and tenacity of the Civil War, but his treatment will, and has changed that. We always read about how people in the Civil War felt from their own writings. It is true, there are MANY writings (Journals and Diaries) left from this great period in our founding. Hopefully more authors will make the concerted effort that Ketchum took to bring aspects of those writings to life in a cohesive narrrative. Many future books on the Revolutionary War could take their lead from the style with which this author has put down the written word. When I finished the book, I wanted more. This is what inspires interest, learning, and understanding. I think that no one could go wrong if this was the only book they ever read on this campaign. It would be a shame however, if it never got read at all. Read the book. You won't be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent reading with sound content
Review: I recommend this book to anyone who, like me, is a little shy of information on the atmosphere and circumstances of the American Revolutionary War. Perhaps the most useful contribution for me was the portrayal of the participants (Colonials, English, and Germans) and their attitudes to the whole war. Like many things, it was not as clear cut as our school history books have presented it. Even if you are looking for nothing more than a good read, this is a good book. The biliography is long and detailed and demonstrates a solid fact base. CONGRATUATIONS to the author for a great book!
Rating:
Summary: Could be better titled......
Review: I specifically bought this book to gain more information on Benedict Arnold's role in this battle. Ketchum did not disappoint in this regard. The details Ketchum provided prior to the battle, although extremely poignant, became almost lengthy. So much so, I was nearly 300 pages into this book before the battle began. I though the book would have been better titled "Gentleman Johnny, the Northern Campaign, and Saratoga."
All in all, I would certainly recommend this for someone looking for a definitive work on Saratoga.
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