[.ca] Union 1812: The Americans Who Fought the Second War of ... (ISBN 1400103118)

The War Through Those Who Fought It.:
"Union 1812" tells the story of the War of 1812 through the stories of the Americans who participated, in one way or another, in its lead-up and fighting. Author A. J. Langguth does an excellent job of telling the story of the War through these cameos of the participants. The individuals involved constitute could populate a pantheon of Early America. They include George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Andrew Jackson, Zebulon Pike, James and Dolly Madison, Tecumseh, William Henry Harrison, Davy Crockett, Sam Houston, and many others. I have read other books about the War of 1812 and do not recommend this as a first book for the study of the War. For one with a basic knowledge of it, this will pick your memory so as to enable you to appreciate aspects which may have been overlooked or have faded from memory. This book brings to the reader's attention the crucial role played by the Indian allies of the British. It covers the main theaters of operation, Lake Erie, the Niagara Front, New Orleans and Washington-Baltimore. I particularly enjoyed the repeated reference to operations involving Fort Malden, Ontario, which my family visited several years ago. It ties together the military, political and social aspects of the war into an understandable package. I enjoyed this thoroughly. I trust that you will also.