If you
ask any American what he or she knows about the
War of 1812, that person is likely to mention the
burning of our nation’s capital, the attack on
Fort McHenry and Francis Scott Key’s poem that
became our national anthem, or the Battle of New
Orleans. Otherwise, it is essentially an obscure
conflict, but the reasons that catapulted us into
a second war with Great Britain are as complex as
the war itself. While eventual peace returned us,
more or less, to the status quo before the war,
the consequences of the fighting proved
significant for our country and how other nations
viewed us.
Hickey begins with the
first decade of the 19th century and the events
and decisions that eventually led to war. The
chapters that follow focus on the declaration of
war, riots in Baltimore, campaigns in 1812 and
1813, how the war was funded and how sufficient
men were found to fight, key people, embargoes and
blockades, the British counteroffensive, summaries
of individual battles, the nation’s economy, the
Hartford Convention, the Treaty of Ghent, and the
cost, legacy, and impact of the conflict.
Cartoons, artwork
depicting events and people, proclamations, maps,
and charts augment the text. Following the text,
there are chapter notes with headings at the top
of the pages to identify on which pages the source
material is cited within the narrative. An
introductory note includes areas in which further
research is needed. The book also contains a
detailed index.
For nearly fifty years,
Hickey has studied the War of 1812, which makes
him eminently qualified to write on this topic.
While most scholars focus on either the military
or naval facets of this conflict, his interests
tend toward the domestic and political sides. When
he wrote the first edition, which was published in
1989, he wanted to provide “a broader treatment of
the war – one that dealt with politics, diplomacy,
economics, and finance as well as battles and
campaigns.” (xiii) And he admirably succeeded in
that endeavor.
This new, bicentennial
edition replaces the earlier one and encompasses
more information while correcting errors found in
the original book. Another beneficial addition to
this volume is the inclusion of subtopic headings
within each chapter. The result is a general, but
comprehensive, overview that is clear and concise.
He also includes information about privateers and
their contribution to the war effort, not only at
sea, but also at the Battle of New Orleans. The
War of 1812 is a superb summary of the
conflict from beginning to end, and readers
searching for an introduction will find this one
of the best.
Review Copyright ©2011 Cindy Vallar
Pirates and Privateers
