Osprey Essential Histories 6 : The Seven Years' War

The Seven Years' War could be considered as the first World War, with campaigns fought in North America, Europe, the Caribbean, and India, and with major consequences for all parties involved. It was the closest thing to Total War before World War I. Although much has been written about the Seven Years' War in the last two hundred years, this is the first study that truly reviews the grand strategies of the combatants and examines the range of styles that emerged. The large-scale battles and sieges of the European front can be starkly contrasted to the ambush and skirmish tactics of forest warfare in North America. Daniel Marston's narrative is supported by official war papers, personal diaries and memoirs, and official reports.

Contents

• Introduction
• Chronology
• Background to War
• Warring Sides
• Outbreak
• The Fighting
• Portrait of a Soldier
• The World around War
• Portrait of a Civilian
• How the War Ended
• Conclusion and Consequences