From the Battlefield to the Stage
The Many Lives of General John Burgoyne
The remarkable life of an ambitious and controversial soldier, successful playwright, reforming politician, and popular man about town.
Description
Known today chiefly for his surrender to the American forces at Saratoga, New York, in 1777, General John Burgoyne was one of the most interesting – and extraordinary – figures of the eighteenth century.
In From the Battlefield to the Stage Norman Poser provides a rounded biography, covering not only the Saratoga campaign but also elements of Burgoyne’s eventful life that have never been adequately explored. At the age of twenty-eight, Burgoyne eloped with Charlotte Stanley, the daughter of the immensely wealthy and influential Earl of Derby. Though initially furious, the earl, convinced of the young officer’s good character, eventually forgave the couple, and the Stanley family became a major influence in Burgoyne’s life and career. He was a socialite, welcome in London’s fashionable drawing rooms, a high-stakes gambler in its elite clubs, and a playwright whose social comedies were successfully performed on the London stage. As a member of Parliament for thirty years, Burgoyne supported the rule of law, fought the corruption of the East India Company, and advocated religious tolerance.
From the Battlefield to the Stage paints a vivid portrait of General John Burgoyne, remembering him not only for his role in one of Britain’s worst military disasters but also as a brave, talented, humane man.
Reviews
“From the Battlefield to the Stage has the merit of brevity, clear writing, and rich contextualization based on Poser’s admirable knowledge of the culture and politics of eighteenth-century Britain. This is a fresh account of Burgoyne, and the first major biography of the enigmatic general in decades.” Andrew J. O’Shaughnessy, author of The Men Who Lost America: British Leadership, the American Revolution, and the Fate of the Empire
“The greatest strength of this book is how much time Poser devotes to Burgoyne’s life before and after the thunderclap of Saratoga. Clearly an engaging man (he won over the father of the woman he eloped with) the impression created is of a character whose company was very agreeable. For students of the War of Independence, From the Battlefield to the Stage is essential reading, but it will also appeal to anyone with a wider interest in 18th century cultural history.” History of War
"A welcome contextualization of a multifaceted and previously misunderstood man. In this new work, Poser snatches the general off the battlefield at Saratoga and removes him from the confines of military history. Poser's From the Battlefield to the Stage adds depth and truth to 'Gentleman Johnny,' by filling in the gaps of previous biographies to do justice to a figure who is more than his failures." American History Magazine
"From the Battlefield to the Stage looks beyond Burgoyne’s military service, casting him as an enlightened participant in the cultural and political spheres of eighteenth century Britain. Poser argues convincingly that Burgoyne deserves to be remembered for much more than Saratoga ... ." Times Literary Supplement