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 enlarge | Author: A.j. Langguth
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Category: Book
List Price: $30.00
Buy New: $3.95
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Avg. Customer Rating:  18 reviews
Sales Rank: 491006
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 496
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.7
Dimensions (in): 9.2 x 6.2 x 1.6
ISBN: 0743226186
Dewey Decimal Number: 973.52
EAN: 9780743226189
ASIN: 0743226186
Publication Date: November 7, 2006
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| Customer Reviews:
 I concur with the others ... November 9, 2007
0 out of 3 found this review helpful
I am glad to see that my contentions are well supported by the other reviews posted here. This book is, unfortunately, a sub-standard work. Its strength, which some felt was off the direct topic, is Mr. Langguth's treatment of the political climate leading up to the War of 1812. As mentioned elsewhere, a couple of the errors in this book are so blatant that it is hard to see how they got into the book, let alone how they would have survived even a rudimentary editing or vetting process. Sorry, but if you are going to only read one book about the War of 1812, don't make it this one.
Good Anecdotes but Too Many Editing Errors, OK 3.5 October 8, 2007
2 out of 5 found this review helpful
One of the major problems with this book (give it a C+) is that it doesn't seem that the editor had a strong grasp of the subject. As an aside, the book is dedicated to the editor by the author (maybe they both need help). Other reviewers have mentioned mistakes, here is another: in the text a general in 1813 is referred to as "Military Governor of Ohio Territory" ; Ohio was admitted to the Union in 1803.
This is not the only time that the states and territories are mixed up or that placement is wrong. During the description of the Battle of New Orleans, he mentions a ship sailing 'down' the Mississippi (south) and then firing at the British on the east bank with their starboard guns. Any sailor will tell you that you have to be facing north to fire your starboard guns in an easterly direction. Of course the boat could have been turned around, but why? Sure it's a little picky, but that's what history is about.
He does do a good job of entertaining us with anecdotes that add to our knowledge of many of the 'Founding Fathers', but it doesn't make up for the mistakes on so many of the other stories. That's another point that I would like to make. The book reads like a compendium of the works of many writers, and not the seamless work of one author. Could it be possible that some of his helpers and researchers did a 'little' of the writing? See for yourself.
 A Different Point of View July 21, 2007
7 out of 28 found this review helpful
"To Rule the Waves: How the British Navy Shaped the Modern World" by Arthur Herman.
Read this for a more balanced view of this cowardly war Mr. Madison declared on Great Britain when she was fighting for survival against the French (and Spain at times) under Napoleon.
Madison's objective, aided and abetted by "it will be a walk over" Jefferson was an opportunistic war of aggression to occupy Canada (and Florida) -but his forces were decisively repulsed and routed by Loyalist forces.
Sound familiar?
Canada remained a free country as it wished to be and did not become a colony of the USA as Madison wished.
All the rest of his reasons (impressment etc.) were propaganda to get popular US support for this illegal act and actually disappeared as issues when Napoleon was first defeated.
Pointedly most New England States sensibly did not participate as they were anxious to preserve their lucrative trade with Great Britain in supplies needed (lumber etc.) to fight Napoleon.
This shameful episode in American history, siding with the megalomaniac Napoleon, was eventually settled by the Treaty of Ghent, not in battle, after Napoleon's exile to Elba and before his escape and subsequent defeat by Wellington at Waterloo.
The battle of New Orleans took place after the peace treaty had been signed and played absolutely no role in the outcome.
Also Perry wasn't fighting a British 'fleet' but a detached squadron of small vessels. His grandiose account of the action lends itself well for a Hollywood movie.
The US did not achieve any of its objectives - so who won? Certainly not the United States!
A second war of independence? - I don't think so!
But I guess the title will sell books - more bad history in print!
 A Worthy Addition to Any War of 1812 Library July 1, 2007
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
I just finished A. J. Langguth's Union 1812: The Americans Who Fought the Second War of Independence. This is the sequel to Langguth's excellent 1991 Patriots: The Men Who Started the American Revolution, and is written in the same style. Instead of being a solid historical narrative, it instead focuses on individuals and their contributions to the subject. In this instance, it addresses the American politicians and soldiers who brought about and fought the War of 1812. While this is an interesting and novel approach, it means that there are large gaps in the coverage of the conflict. As just one example, there is no coverage of some of the important land battles such as Lundy's Lane. Langguth focuses on the great Indian leader Tecumseh, who played a critical role in the War of 1812, and was killed in battle while fighting alongside the British. Tecumseh was a born and charismatic leader who earned the respect of friend and foe, including his arch enemy, William Henry Harrison. While I've read a few books on the War of 1812 over the years, I've never seen one that addresses it from the perspective of the political and military leaders of the United States. The focus on Tecumseh, who was definitely an American legend, is particularly interesting because it focuses on the role that the Indians played, and the fact that they entered into a marriage of convenience with the British in the hope of regaining the lands that they lost to the white settlers.
Langguth is a journalist by training, and he's a terrific writer. The book is very well written, with an easy, flowing style. At the same time, I did find the fact that the book jumps aroudn quite a bit to be a bit frustrating and disconcerting, as it emphasizes the gaps in the coverage of the book. The book suffers from a paucity of maps, and, as pointed out above, there are some significant gaps in the coverage of the war itself. Having said that, it's a novel and unique approach to a forgotten conflict, and Langguth does a good job of building his case that the War of 1812 was really just an extension of the American Revolution. He also makes an interesting and persuasive argument that the Civil War was a direct result of the conflicts that emerged from the War of 1812, including the tension between north and south.
This was an enjoyable and worthwhile read, and one I recommend undertaking. It's a worthy addition to any War of 1812 library.
 Great book May 16, 2007
3 out of 6 found this review helpful
Although I am only about a third of the way this is a great book. I finished the book 1776 by David McCullough and then started Union 1812. I highly recommend this book because it is an excellent read.
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