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punchofwishes's review against another edition
4.0
An in-depth look into the War of 1812 with a strong focus on the political and military details surrounding this important historical event. With vivid language and occasionally accompanied by maps, illustrations and photographs, this book transports the reader back into the early 19th century. White the pacing is a little off at times and the focus a bit uneven, this was a very interesting and educational read. If one is able to cope with the incredibly detailed descriptions of multiple battles as well as a lot of details, this is a great book!
cancermoononhigh's review against another edition
3.0
This book was a tough one for me to really get into too much. I cant exactly know why.
This war was mainly fought on water, in ships. The British stepped abroad an American Military ship, The Cheseapake. The British took all of the sailors except for 4 men, 2 free slaves and one man was in the coalhole. The British were well aware that almost 1 in 4 sailors were former British born, being lured over by higher wages and better working conditions. They would take any sailor that even looked British, with force. By 1807 the number was up to 3000 that the British Navy kidnapped off American ships. All levels of American Society found this unacceptable.
The Embargo Act which caused exports to plummet did not help American matters with the British. The Federalist party was re-energized during this time, however James Madison and his wife Dolly were voted into Presidency. The Embargo act was repealed 1 day before Madison was to be sworn in, failing to accomplish its purpose, which was to penalize the French and British and to get them to stop interfering with American trade. The Federalist party would be a thorn in Madison's side his whole presidency. As their party would be the ones to talk about withdrawing from the union over the war of 1812. Madison was shocked at their thinking.
James Madison was the first American president to launch a war and possesses no Military credentials. He felt confident that America could secure the Atlantic Ocean, the British were deep into their war with France and the distance from their enemy might be to their advantage.
The British were cunning on their part, they befriended disgruntled citizens, slaves. They were well educated and read any newspapers. They were well prepared with a huge fleet compared to the Americans. Once their war ended with France they were able to keep a laser focus mind on this one war.
The days before the fires of Washington and of the First House Dolly still continued on with her day as normal, ordering her man servant(slave) to dress the table for fifteen. Almost all of her neighbors and acquaintances, as well as business owners and her own husband has left the city. In fact the hundred man guard assigned to protect the President's house had disappeared. The household staff was not intent on leaving her or did her personal slave, Sukey. The well known story of Dolly Madison securing George Washington's picture out of the President's house is one that has given her a hero status, especially due to the coming danger. Dolly certainly due to her just being in the house and how ruthless the British were felt the attack as it was a personal one. It was decided shortly after the burning of Washington that the story would be not a sorry one about defeat but as an outrage to all civilized people, the American PR machine already at work.
Thomas Jefferson came to the aid of the American people by offering his library to replace the loss of the congressional library. Jefferson's library was double the size of the one the British destroyed.
President James Madison was a plantation owner, a slave owner. It was something he lived with, and still does, since birth. He called it a "national evil" several times that the founding fathers, him included, was that their failure in ending slavery. After his presidency he focused much of his time and attention on the problem of slavery. Madison truly believed recolonization in Africa was the only solution he could come up with. It was with profound sadness that slavery was a wrong he could not right.
"History knows about as much of the past as she does of the future" - James Madison
**there was an unfortunate Captain Barney who was taken prisoner by the British for the 4th time during this war
This war was mainly fought on water, in ships. The British stepped abroad an American Military ship, The Cheseapake. The British took all of the sailors except for 4 men, 2 free slaves and one man was in the coalhole. The British were well aware that almost 1 in 4 sailors were former British born, being lured over by higher wages and better working conditions. They would take any sailor that even looked British, with force. By 1807 the number was up to 3000 that the British Navy kidnapped off American ships. All levels of American Society found this unacceptable.
The Embargo Act which caused exports to plummet did not help American matters with the British. The Federalist party was re-energized during this time, however James Madison and his wife Dolly were voted into Presidency. The Embargo act was repealed 1 day before Madison was to be sworn in, failing to accomplish its purpose, which was to penalize the French and British and to get them to stop interfering with American trade. The Federalist party would be a thorn in Madison's side his whole presidency. As their party would be the ones to talk about withdrawing from the union over the war of 1812. Madison was shocked at their thinking.
James Madison was the first American president to launch a war and possesses no Military credentials. He felt confident that America could secure the Atlantic Ocean, the British were deep into their war with France and the distance from their enemy might be to their advantage.
The British were cunning on their part, they befriended disgruntled citizens, slaves. They were well educated and read any newspapers. They were well prepared with a huge fleet compared to the Americans. Once their war ended with France they were able to keep a laser focus mind on this one war.
The days before the fires of Washington and of the First House Dolly still continued on with her day as normal, ordering her man servant(slave) to dress the table for fifteen. Almost all of her neighbors and acquaintances, as well as business owners and her own husband has left the city. In fact the hundred man guard assigned to protect the President's house had disappeared. The household staff was not intent on leaving her or did her personal slave, Sukey. The well known story of Dolly Madison securing George Washington's picture out of the President's house is one that has given her a hero status, especially due to the coming danger. Dolly certainly due to her just being in the house and how ruthless the British were felt the attack as it was a personal one. It was decided shortly after the burning of Washington that the story would be not a sorry one about defeat but as an outrage to all civilized people, the American PR machine already at work.
Thomas Jefferson came to the aid of the American people by offering his library to replace the loss of the congressional library. Jefferson's library was double the size of the one the British destroyed.
President James Madison was a plantation owner, a slave owner. It was something he lived with, and still does, since birth. He called it a "national evil" several times that the founding fathers, him included, was that their failure in ending slavery. After his presidency he focused much of his time and attention on the problem of slavery. Madison truly believed recolonization in Africa was the only solution he could come up with. It was with profound sadness that slavery was a wrong he could not right.
"History knows about as much of the past as she does of the future" - James Madison
**there was an unfortunate Captain Barney who was taken prisoner by the British for the 4th time during this war
darlenemarshall's review
4.0
Excellent portrait of Washington's first "power couple", the Madisons. Dolly gets her due as a woman who helped shape Washington society, and a model for what First Ladies became in later years--partners who helped their husbands navigate the rocky politics of the nation's capitol and made a positive impression on the American people, and on foreign dignitaries and world leaders as well.
It's especially relevant during this anniversary of the War of 1812, and the description of the British invasion and burning of the capitol was extremely detailed and informative.
It's especially relevant during this anniversary of the War of 1812, and the description of the British invasion and burning of the capitol was extremely detailed and informative.
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