The War of 1812: A Short History Book

I recently heard a very respected scholar in a lecture say the following, "No matter what you've heard, history doesn't repeat itself - ideas do." That is no more evident than in the study of this war!

And I do mean SHORT. It's a fantastic little introduction. My theory with this book was to read it as an introduction to The War of 1812: A Forgotten Conflict by Mr. Hickey, as well. From what I've read on Amazon and heard, that is precisely the primary purpose of the author in this "Short History."

I am currently enrolled in college as a B.A. in History. I haven't chosen my concentration yet, but I could easily jump on this horse! This is such a complex war with tons and tons of variables and caveats. It becomes extremely clear as modernity presses forward and after looking at the history of warfare in general, that most men and women die in and around combat completely out of lack of communication, more than anything else.

This book takes you from the early Jefferson administration and some of his challenges which he faced in dealing with international trade with such a young country. At the end of the day, this war isn't fought over impressment nearly to the degree as it is fought over Orders in Council, which basically interfered with America's, or anybody's for that matter, ability to do trade with France, of whom Britain was at war. There's no telling how many ships were confiscated, soldiers lost, and cargo lost.

This war was a war which literally bankrupted the United States to the point whereas the money was worthless and the banks had no way of loaning money or storing money. We here about an impending "insolvent government" today, but it really happened in 1815 and it wasn't a pretty picture. The government had defaulted on all of its loans and could not borrow a "red cent." If you wanted something your neighbor had, you better have something to trade with other than money.

Americans hold conventions when crisis arise. Between 1763 and 1783 we held six or seven conventions; New England held the Hartford Convention, and if it were not for the level minded in the room they would have ceded from the Union, with Britain's help!

Get this book, buy more books to come behind it! I also have on my shelf waiting for me to finish the other book by Hickey another 1812 jewel: The Civil War of 1812: American Citizens, British Subjects, Irish Rebels, & Indian Allies - get this book, too. It is written by the UC at Berkeley Dept of American History Chair & the same man is the Dept of Canadian History Chair. This gives him incredibly valuable insite where Mr. Taylor calls the War of 1812 "The War of Four Civil Wars", ie., American Citizens, British Subjects, Irish Rebels, & Indian Allies. I intend on delving into Taylor's book immediately after Hickey's authoritative book.