This was published in 1901. It details Braddock's blunders in the opening years of the French and Indian war, but that story is wrapped up in two other threads. One is the protagonist's agonizing and pining over the object of his affection. The other is the mythology of George Washington, who is practically beatified here. GW was in his early 20s at the time, but is venerated as though he were already president. There are some scholars who have criticized his actions leading up to this battle, but in this reading he could do no wrong. This short book illuminates more about how late nineteenth century writers idealized the past. Other than that, this is a poor waste of a read. ( )