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The War of 1812 revealed many heroes and heroines from both Canada and the United States, and Major-General Sir Isaac Brock (1769–1812) was one of them.
The Astonishing General tells of Brock's life, his career, and his legacy, particularly in the Canadas, and of the context in which he lived. Despite his success in capturing Detroit, Brock was, in some ways, the most unlikely of heroes. He was admired by his American foes almost as much as by his own people and he was revered far and wide. This reputation was furthered by his success in winning Tecumseh’s trust and ensuring that the great leader’s formidable army was loyal to the British. Even more striking is how a British general whose military role lasted less than five months became the best-known hero of that two-and-a-half-year war.
The Astonishing General is Wesley B. Turner’s exploration of this unlikely hero and his astounding legacy.
Winner of the 2011 Ontario Historical Society Donald Grant Creighton Award
The Astonishing General tells of Brock's life, his career, and his legacy, particularly in the Canadas, and of the context in which he lived. Despite his success in capturing Detroit, Brock was, in some ways, the most unlikely of heroes. He was admired by his American foes almost as much as by his own people and he was revered far and wide. This reputation was furthered by his success in winning Tecumseh’s trust and ensuring that the great leader’s formidable army was loyal to the British. Even more striking is how a British general whose military role lasted less than five months became the best-known hero of that two-and-a-half-year war.
The Astonishing General is Wesley B. Turner’s exploration of this unlikely hero and his astounding legacy.
Winner of the 2011 Ontario Historical Society Donald Grant Creighton Award
Price: $22.99
Pages: 370
Publisher: Dundurn Press
Imprint: Dundurn Press
Publication Date:
14 April 2026
Trim Size: 9.00 X 6.00 in
ISBN: 9781459758155
Format: Paperback
BISACs:
BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Military, Biography: historical, political and military, HISTORY / Wars & Conflicts / War of 1812, HISTORY / Canada / Post-Confederation (1867-), History of the Americas
Wesley B. Turner earned his Honours BA and MA from the University of Toronto and a PhD from Duke University. He taught history in high schools and at Brock University for thirty-one years before retiring. Author of five books, seven biographies in the DCB, articles, and book reviews, Wesley is also a member of many historical societies. He lives in Niagara-on-the-Lake.