The Howe dynasty The untold story of a military family and the women behind Britain's wars for America

In this brilliantly conceived and vividly written biography, historian Flavell (When London Was Capital of America) takes a fresh look at the family of Richard Admiral Lord Howe and Gen. William Howe, the brothers who commanded British forces in North America at the start of the Revolutionary War. Analyzing letters and diaries left behind by the women of the family, Flavell upends the popular conception of the aristocratic Howes as "inscrutable" and sheds light on the drawing-room politics of Georgian England. She details how Richard and William's mother and aunt drew on connections to the royal court to help advance their military careers, and notes that their eldest sister, Caroline, assisted in Richard's efforts to negotiate a peaceful compromise with Benjamin Franklin as tensions between England and the colonies mounted in 1774. After war broke out, the failure of British forces to rout the rebels led to allegations that the Howes were guilty of "treason or incompetence," and Richard and William both gave up their commands in 1778. Flavell skillfully alternates vivid descriptions of overseas battles with developments in England, and brings new insights to William's alleged affair with the "captivating Bostonian" Elizabeth Lloyd Loring. History buffs won't want to miss this richly textured account. Illus. Agent: Katherine Flynn, Kneerim & Williams. (July)

With this latest work, Flavell (When London Was Capital of America) explores the history of the Howe family, particularly the generation of Howes who played an immense role in military history in North America. Flavell shows that the Howe brothers George and Richard were heavily involved, on behalf of the British, in military actions in the French and Indian War and the Revolutionary War. She writes that the Howe women, sister Caroline and mother Lady Howe in particular, were integral in the management of the Howe men's reputations, as well as in the political maneuvering behind the scenes. Flavell primarily looks at the brothers through the lens of their highly influential sister Caroline. Caroline's prolific letter writing reveals her involvement in everything from peace negotiations with Benjamin Franklin, to the management of her brothers' reputations when the Revolutionary War did not go as planned for the UK. Full of detail and intrigue, the narrative is illustrated with vivid portraits of extended family members and maps of military engagements. VERDICT This engaging popular history stands apart for its different perspective of the British side of the American Revolution and the Howe family's involvement in peace efforts.--Stacy Shaw, Denver

Historian Flavell reappraises the careers of two maligned British commanders in the Revolutionary War and shows how female relatives tried to burnish the men's reputations. In "the first whole-family history of the Howes," the author focuses on the brothers Gen. William Howe, Richard Admiral Lord Howe, and, to a lesser degree, Brig. Gen. George Howe, who was killed near Fort Ticonderoga in the Seven Years' War. With 10 offspring, the Howes' aristocratic parents favored "the rather heartless tradition of recycling the dynastic names of dead children." The early chapters move slowly as Flavell introduces generations of Georges and Sophias and Charlottes and remote events such as the War of Jenkins' Ear. After 100 or so pages, as the Revolutionary War nears, the narrative gains--and retains--a momentum that effectively turns a group biography into a swiftly paced history of the war and its aftermath, when the public vilified William and Richard for their strategic missteps but later restored them to high esteem. Flavell balances accounts of battles in America with tales of how well-connected Howe women in England tried to advance the brothers' careers in the press and elsewhere. In 1774, their sister made a noteworthy effort when she tried--over games of chess with Benjamin Franklin--to help Richard find a peaceful alternative to the looming war. Throughout, the author rebuts--sometimes convincingly--common views of the Howes, including that as commander of the British land forces in America, William showed "at the least profound character and professional flaws and, at worst, a conspiratorial ambition to promote the Howes and their quest to save the empire." Flavell also labels as "probably not true" the rumors that William had a distracting affair with Elizabeth Lloyd Loring. The author offers much for historians to argue about and plenty for patient readers to enjoy. An intelligent, sympathetic portrait that challenges popular views of the Howe family. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.