Michael

I only made it through the part 1 download then gave up. I had previously read one of the other books in the series (1815-1848) which was very good. This book gets lost in mindless detail, (e.g. too many names of british tax collectors and ministers in the 1860's, etc) and over frequent only semi-useful quotes. A handful of vignettes can flesh out a historical narrative. but this section of the book at least gets lost in these tiny details and loses the arc of the actual history.

Drones

read what hath god wrought isntead

I generally like sowell's work even if it they all tend to move a bit slow for me as they are often geared to a very general reader.
The main problem with this book is one of degree: that it spoon feeds. For anyone who is accustomed to thinking systematically, this book breaks down the bites way too small and hence becomes extra slow moving and by extension dull. I gave up less than one-third of the way through-knowing i couldn't take that many more hours. i will say that i enjoyed the introduction (written 15 years after the original book) more than what followed.

again, he is a good writer, its an interesting topic, his stories and explanations are very clear, but he really belabors every little point in this book.an abridged audio book would NOT help, but i do feel he could have written this in half the text

Dean is a solid narrator.

The first hour is a bit dull. Made worse by the narrator--who almost seems to be falling asleep during it. But the book picks up steam as does the narrator. One does grow a tiny bit tired of sea battle descriptions towards the end( not enough detail for a real military battle buff, fine for the general reader, but by the end you've heard too many)

Good book but not a great book. Toll's later book, Pacific Crucible, of far higher caliber both in writing quality and in depth of vision/themes

The real problem is the narrator--hes very hard to listen to, drones, nasally, etc--although obviously narrator voice, diction and style is where personal preference and taste count most.

Book is interesting enough although its not really 100% as advertised-the first part is a conventional history of one small subsection of the war of 1812 and doesnt really get directly to the heart of his theme but rather only at an angle to it

The narrator is just okay. The book is not up to Bornemans more recent work-. I gave up after less than halfway through because the book doesn't really give you any real depth or understanding, just A basic chronological treatment like a good extended encyclopedia article

This period is covered much better in the oxford history of america.

Detailed & layered but not detailed in terms of battlefield tales. Which means not for a battlefield history enthusiast but good for a general history enthusiast who is interested in the war in the pacific You get rich back story and background --it reminds me of listening to the robert caro biographies for more than one reason

the Admirals..that was a good book..this is a superior book

i like gardner-i know some think he has a slight drone but i never find him dull and enjoy the gravelliness

well..its too long for that