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1812 (The American Story) | 
 enlarge | Author: David Nevin
Publisher: Forge Books
Category: Book
List Price: $6.99
Buy Used: $0.01
You Save: $6.98 (100%)
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Avg. Customer Rating:  36 reviews
Sales Rank: 305881
Media: Mass Market Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 576
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 6.7 x 3.8 x 1.3
ISBN: 0812524713
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN: 9780812524710
ASIN: 0812524713
Publication Date: July 15, 1997
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Condition: Millions of satisfied customers and climbing. Thriftbooks is the name you can trust, guaranteed. Spend Less. Read More.
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Product Description
The war of 1812 would either make America a global power sweeping all the way to the Pacific--or break it into small pieces bound to mighty England. It was a second revolution of sorts to prove to the British that America had to be taken seriously. The principal actors in this drama were James and Dolley Madison, and Andrew and Rachel Jackson. Their courage and determination would shape America's destiny.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 31 more reviews...
Good but with problems (A history teacher's review) December 7, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
If you do not already know something about the War of 1812, I cannot recommend this book for your reading pleasure. Why not? The author, David Nevin, goes into the story without much of an explanation of who the characters are and just assumes you know who they are. I would have recommended a small two to three page introduction that laid out the issues of the day and something about the personalities of the day as well.
Instead, we spend page after page getting these introductions as a part of the story. Along the way, Nevin introduces us to the innermost thoughts of such people as James Madison, Andrew Jackson, Winfield Scott and Dolley Madison. Nevin seems fascinated in exploring each of these characters as sexual beings. We get to read about James Madison's lusting for Dolley (he refers to her breasts so often that I blush when I see Madison in my history book).
However, the book is saved by his descriptions of the battles. They are very well done.
If you don't know your War of 1812, be sure to keep your computer handy so you can check the 'net to learn the background material to the things Nevin is referring to.
 1812 The American Story August 7, 2006
An excellent read. I found the book hard to put down. It also renewed some American History for me that I have long ago forgotten. It also gave me a greater appreciation and respect for the brave americans of that time.
Shaara-esque 1812 March 24, 2006
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
In the genre of the Shaara's, 1812 gives an insightful look into a war usually skipped over in history classes. Good profiles of James Madison, Andrew Jackson, and a young Winfield Scott as individuals. A "must read" for history teachers and history lovers; recommended as extra reading for students high school and above.
 Historical or....romance January 18, 2006
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
I bought this book because I wanted to read something about the War of 1812. I thought it would be a good idea to start with a novel to ease myself into the subject, something on the lines of Jeff Shaara in his excellent books on the War of Independence or the Civil War.
I really did not want to read about important historical figures like President Madison or Andrew Jackson getting erections ! I kid you not, the first 70 pages or so contain this....needless information ! The book has good material when it comes to describing landscapes, battles and the nuances of fashion of the day ( which is actually quite good as the author puts the reader in the shoes of James Madison worrying about whether his trousers are old fashioned or not ! ). The problem is that we are drawn into situations which are reminiscent of a sweeping romantic novel that could be based at any period of time ie. beautiful buxum ladies and dashing gentlemen in uniform. If Shaara is your cup of tea leave this book well alone !
Jimmy loves Dolly, Andy loves Rachel, Win loves March 3, 2005
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Sally. Joseph Loves Jenny etc.
This historical soap opera starts with a lots of tumescence then settles down to tell a true story.
The events are true, most of the characters are real. Most of the dialogue, the conversation are decidely not. No matter, as they serve to advance the history going on around them & the history that they are making.
There are several important venues: Washington D.C., Where President & Dolly Madison preside in the White House, Canada, northern New York & the Lake Champlain area where key naval battles are fought & the south particularly New Orleans, where General Andrew Jackson is making his name. The unabridged tape is long as is the book, but I was not bored. It is told like a novel rather than straight history.
This story is the coming out of America, more united than ever. The reasons for the war, trade & the impressment of American sailors was quickly resolved by the very act of war. However, the conclusion reached by many history books is that this was a useless war. In fact, it may not be much more than a footnote in the history of the British Empire. Bigger things were happening in Europe that overwhelmed the War of 1812 in interest.
The nation was expanding rapidly & several states had been admitted to the union west of the Appalachins. The ballance of power in the United States was moving west. Ironically the larger the country grew in size the more united, we became with a real sense of identity. The arrogance of the British in buring down the capitol for no military gain united Americans like no other single act could have.
The British could not have won. They were trying to defeat a continential nation. For what? Wellington, one of the greatest military leaders of all time knew this & said so. The British people were fed up with the taxes used to finance an unwinnable war.
For the United States, The War of 1812 proved the Revoltionary War now 30 years old. Jackson defeated British regulars soundly at New Orleans. The war was already over but they didn't know that. It still was important to note that the United States would have to be reckoned with in the future. Highly recommended.
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