Other Reviews & Praise

....................................................................................

"Elliott relates the details of this little-known but thrilling nighttime clash with the panache of a good novelist.  Strange Fatality is history, to be sure, but it's also a page turner." 

~ Dan Morley, Erie Times News, 28 March, 2010

....................................................................................

"Detailed battle accounts are notoriously difficult to write.  Elliott is thorough, accurate, evenhanded and vivid. Strange Fatality reads like a novel ... good, gory, realistic stuff which accurately depicts the most unpopular conflict in U.S. history before Vietnam."

~ William David Barry, Portland Press Herald

....................................................................................

"Elliott has succeeded marvellously, in turning a military history into a real cliff-hanger."

~ Hans Werner, The Toronto Star

....................................................................................

"A nail-biting, flesh-and-blood showdown that feels like it took place last week. In almost any other country, this would be a movie and a prominent piece of the national mythology."

~ Gord Henderson, The Windsor Star

....................................................................................

"A gripping account of an important battle that separates the real soldiers from the poseurs ...
sparkles with wit and observation."

~ Geoff Heinricks, The Globe and Mail

....................................................................................

"One can smell the gun smoke and feel the fear"

~Chris Raible, The OHS Bulletin

....................................................................................

"For anyone whose eyes glazed upon hearing the battle recounted in public school, the dramatic tapestry of the chaotic, almost suicidal night attack will seem like an electric shock. An exquisitely detailed yarn that never drags or descends into academic torpor. Highly recommended. "

~ David Young, Hamilton Magazine

....................................................................................

"A compelling account … that takes the reader through the actions of real-life characters and
a meticulous marshalling of facts."

~ Michael-Allan Marion, The Brantford Expositor

....................................................................................

"A terrifying tale… a must read."

~ Annette Hamm, CHCH TV

....................................................................................

"A ripping good yarn, engagingly written and well researched."

~ John C. Fredriksen, American War of 1812 scholar

....................................................................................

"Explains how much we have to learn about this conflict that defined Canada. Well-researched and full of illustrations."

~ J. L. Granatstein, Legion Magazine

....................................................................................

"Exhaustive primary research, a master story-teller's turn of phrase and a reporter's nose for
human interest and quest for truth."

~Michael McAllister, The Fife and Drum

....................................................................................

"Well-researched and entertaining"

~Mike Filey, The Toronto Sun

....................................................................................

"A tale of courage and incompetence … about a little-known battle that changed the course of the war. A superb job of integrating contemporary sources into a fascinating narrative."

~ Robert Burnham, The War of 1812 Magazine

....................................................................................

"One of the great Canadian history books ever written, in my humble opinion and I read a lot of history."

~ Bob Bratina, CHML

....................................................................................

"An exceptional book … impressive research and writing. … meticulous and well-illustrated.
His portrayals of the human dimensions of the struggle and its aftermath are gripping."

~ Gord McNulty, The Hamilton Spectator

....................................................................................

"An excellent job. Brisk and engaging. Enjoyable for casual readers of military history and useful to scholars."

~ The Beaver

....................................................................................

"Impressive research and comprehensive writing, an accurate, telling glimpse of the past,
Strange Fatality is a must-read for any Canadian history buff"

~ Jackie Vandinther, Cable 14, Hamilton

....................................................................................

"A tremendous book…a great tale of something that happened right here."

~ Mike Nabuurs, 820 CHAM

....................................................................................

"A must-read for anyone interested in history."

~ Paul Hutchings, Stoney Creek News

....................................................................................

"A crucial turning point in Canadian history. The first full study of the Battle of Stoney Creek
and definitely overdue. The amount of information it contains is simply mind-boggling."

~ Cheryl MacDonald, Simcoe Reformer

....................................................................................

"Sheds light on a battle too often misunderstood … had [it] turned out differently the Stars and
Stripes might now be adorning flagpoles throughout southwestern Ontario."

~ Don Glynn, The Niagara Gazette

....................................................................................

“Stirring and detailed narrative…one of the best-written books on the War of 1812.”

~ Bill Gay, Essex Free Press, 31 March 2010