The fascinating true tale of seven decades of brutal warfare and dogged Colonial determination follows France's and England's struggle to control "a few acres of snow," or the American continent. Reprint. "Leckie is a gifted writer with the ability to explain complicated military matters in layperson's terms, while sustaining the drama involved in a life-and-death struggle. His portraits of the key players in that struggle... are seamlessly interwoven with his exciting narrative. Part I A Continent Is Discovered Christopher Columbus 3(18) ¡Tierra! ¡Tierra! Land! Land! 21(12) The Colonizing Contest Begins 33(10) Part II Prelude to Wars Samuel de Champlain 43(8) War in the Wilderness 51(12) Champlain Founds New France 63(16) King Louis XIV of France 79(8) The Kingdoms and Their Colonies 87(12) Iroquois Revenge and King Philip's War 99(16) Part III War of the Grand Alliance, 1688-1697 (King William's War) Count Frontenac 115(8) Frontenac and the Fur Trade 123(12) James II, King; William III, Usurper 135(10) The Martyrs of New France 145(18) Canada the Quarrelsome 163(10) The Sun King and the War of the Grand Alliance 173(4) Frontenac Returns---Renews Border War 177(18) Heroines of Both Frontiers 195(8) Sir William Phips Wins and Loses 203(16) Part IV War of the Spanish Succession, 1701-1714 (Queen Anne's War) Anne Succeeds William 219(10) Borders Aflame Again---Quebec Debacle 229(14) Part V War of the Austrian Succession, 1740-1748 (King George's War) The ``Milishy'' Take Louisbourg 243(12) George II---British Colonies Explode 255(10) Part VI Seven Years' War, 1756-1763 (French and Indian War) George Washington 265(8) Defeat and Death of Braddock 273(14) Acadian Agony---Western Slaughter 287(10) Pitt Takes Charge---Montcalm Arrives---Lord Howe Killed 297(18) Washington: Patriot, Planter, Politician 315(4) ``Clip and Cut, and Rob the King'' 319(14) Quebec I: Before the Battle 333(10) Quebec II: The Battle and Betrayal 343(24) Retribution 367(2) Selected Bibliography 369(4) Index 373