The Passing of New France : a Chronicle of Montcalm

The book opens with a vivid portrait of a young nobleman whose blood ran thick with the legends of crusading knights and steadfast French patriots. Born on a leap‑day in 1712 at the modest Candiac castle, Montcalm’s early years were marked by restless energy, a restless mind, and the modest means of a family that prized service over wealth. Through lively anecdotes about his schooldays and the expectations of his storied lineage, the narrative sets the stage for a life destined for the battlefield.

From these humble beginnings the chronicle follows Montcalm’s first steps into the military world, tracing his rise through the ranks while weaving in the broader tensions of mid‑eighteenth‑century France. The author balances personal detail with the larger drama of colonial rivalry, hinting at the pivotal role the young officer will soon play on the North American front. Readers get a clear sense of his character, ambitions, and the forces that shape his path, all without spilling the later outcomes of his fateful campaigns.