Politics and Culture of the Civil War Era: Essays in Honor of Robert W. Johannsen Book

The War of 1812 is certainly one of America's most forgotten conflicts, as another of the author's book titles claims, but it has also generated an inordinate number of myths which complicate and distort the history of conflict among those who are familiar with it. Donald Hickey's book seeks to correct many of the most significant myths which deal with the war.

Professor Hickey has done a fine job outlining the historiography (the history of the history) of the myths of the War of 1812. He disproves many of the myths, proves the validity of others - either in part or whole - and refutes and disproves many others. I found this book a very enjoyable read; although, I do not agree with some of the author's arguments - specifically in regard to the author's contention that the U.S. lost the War of 1812. While he makes a somewhat reasonable case, his argument is far from convincing to this military historian. Historian Dr. George C. Daughan, an accomplished professor in his own right, makes a far more convincing case that the U.S. won the War of 1812 in his fine book "1812: The Navy's War," which I recommend to those seeking an opposing point of view in this matter. Hickey gives too much weight to the lack of reference of the maritime causes of the war in the Treaty of Ghent, which ended the conflict, and downplays the fact that with Napoleon's fall in 1814 those issues were no longer major points of contention. In the end, "the proof is in the pudding" as the saying goes - and I remain convinced that the U.S. won the War of 1812 at best, and fought to a draw at the worst.

While I disagree with some of the author's other points, I found most of the arguments to be well articulated and researched. If the author demolishes a number of myths dear to American hearts (of those few Americans who know anything about the War of 1812), he equally refutes some of those myths dear to the hearts of Canadians, specifically the myth that the Canadian militia won the war and the misconception that the War of 1812 was nothing more than an attempt at annexation of Canada.

Readers unfamiliar with the War of 1812 would be well-advised to read a complete narrative of the conflict before starting Hickey's book about the myths, so that they will have a point of reference for the events and persons detailed in "Don't Give Up the Ship!"

No matter which of the combatants with which you sympathize, I heartily recommend Hickey's book!