The Incredible War of 1812: A Military History (Paperback)

by J. Mackay Hitsman (Author), Donald E. Graves (Author), Christopher, Sir Prevost (Foreword)

Product Details

• Paperback: 397 pages
• Publisher: Robin Brass Studio; Revised edition (September 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1896941133
• ISBN-13: 978-1896941134
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #708,112 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #5 in	Books > History > Americas > Canada > War of 1812
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Decent Canadian Account, March 19, 2008

By	Roger Kennedy - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This is a serviceable account of the war of 1812 from the British-Canadian perspective. Though lacking the color of some other books on this conflict, most noteably John Elting's "Ameteuers To Arms" the author does not suffer from national bias like many American writers do. The account is straight forward and pretty direct, providing a decent overview of the situation in British North America on the outbreak of war in 1812.

This updated version by Donald Graves, a noted Canadian expert on many of the battles of the war, provides many good maps, pictures, and detailed addenda. In particular the addenda concerning the contemporary and current names of the various British and Canadian regiments that fought in the war provides good supporting background. While the author writes pretty much free of national bias, his main point is that the war in Canada was largely fought and won by British regulars. Popular Canadian perceptions have the militia getting all the credit for repelling the various inept US invasions. This is simply not so. To the British 8th, 41st and 49th regiments of foot, who virtually alone stood on the frontier in 1812 against the Americans, must go the lionshare of credit in preventing Canada's conquest. The author points out that most Canadian militia did little or no fighting, the exception being some of the good fencible units that were raised.

Since this is an older work we don't have all the eulogies for the plight of the Indians under Tecumseh. When Hitsman was writing political correctness had not crept into works like this yet. Tecumseh and his warriors certainly get their mention, but we are not subjected to the great praise that most current works seem required to give. Yes, the great Shawnee Chief was important in defending Canada as well, but it was the daring of Isaac Brock with a handful of British regulars that humbled inept and grandiose American plans in the pivotal first few weeks of the war. The US was fortunate that Brock was lost to the Anglo-Canadians early in the conflict, had he lived longer no dout he would have inflicted other great defeats on the Americans.

Hitsman provides a good general overview of the war, and while his emphasis is Anglo-Canadian we are not left in the dark as to American plans and operations. Where this book differs from most American accounts is in the importance of mentioning the battles of 1814 around Washington and the British defeat at New Orleans. These get some attention, but not as much as one might be accustomed to in most American books on the war. Overall a decent work, and a good starting point from the Anglo-Canadian perspective. Readers might wish to get more of the American side from the numerous other books in print, but in the end they were still come to appreciate this concise work from the opposite side.

22 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Introduction To an Often Forgotten Conflict, May 27, 2003

By	Tuvan Uner (Virginia,United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is a great introduction to people wanting to get a basic understanding of the War Of 1812. It is often labeled as the second American revolution due to the second conflict between the United States and England. Great pictures and tidbits about this war make this book a welcome addition to any library. Buy it if you wanna learn more about the War of 1812.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Which side?, June 5, 2007

By	Hugh Thomson (Los Gatos, Ca United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is an excellent, if a bit dry, source for the Canadian (or British Canada as it was then) view of the War of 1812. You will have trouble finding very much about the conflict from the American viewpoint. In fact, execpt for a few references, all of the battles are seen from the Canadian prospective.