The War of 1812

A Forgotten Conflict, Bicentennial Edition

By: Donald R Hickey

Narrated by: Douglas R. Pratt

Length: 14 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

This comprehensive and authoritative history of the War of 1812, thoroughly revised for the 200th anniversary of the historic conflict, is a myth-shattering study that will inform and entertain students, historians, and general listeners alike.

Donald R. Hickey explores the military, diplomatic, and domestic history of our second war with Great Britain, bringing the study up to date with recent scholarship on all aspects of the war, from the Gulf of Mexico to Canada. The newly expanded The War of 1812: A Forgotten Conflict, Bicentennial Edition includes additional information on the British forces, American Indians, and military operations - such as the importance of logistics and the use and capabilities of weaponry.

Hickey explains how the war promoted American nationalism and manifest destiny, stimulated peacetime defense spending, and enhanced America's reputation abroad. He also shows that the war sparked bloody conflicts between pro-war Republican and anti-war Federalist neighbors, dealt a crippling blow to American Indians, and solidified the United States's antipathy toward the British.

©2012 Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois (P)2013 Redwood Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"A well-researched and extensively documented overview of the causes and consequences of the War of 1812. Highly recommended as an inclusive political, military, and social treatment of a customarily neglected war." ( American Library Association Booklist)

"Despite being forgotten and overlooked, the War of 1812 was a significant milestone in the development of the United States... there is no better place to start than with The War of 1812." ( Civil War News)

"The definitive study." ( Journal of American History)

The War of 1812 fascinating listening

If you could sum up The War of 1812 in three words, what would they be?

It ended before the last battle
If England was not fighting Napoleon, we might all be speaking English now

Who was your favorite character and why?

Winfield Scott
Captured, shot

Which scene was your favorite?

When the troop went over the niagra in barrels

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Cried because I couldnt sleep

Any additional comments?

It's really an excellent book

Definitely an American Perspective

Generally easy to follow and well performed except for some annoying mispronunciations. Arrogantly American at times especially the pronouncement that the Americans were the most profoundly affected by the War, so much so that they hardly remember it! Well researched though so no real complaints. Good to have another perspective.

The War of 1812

The subject matter was very interesting and the author has accumulated a tremendous amount of previously unknown information. To this he adds great insight acquired through his studies. However, the dryness of the presentation detracted greatly from my enjoyment. This was partly due to the manuscript itself, but was exacerbated by the reader's presentation style. It was at times painful to listen to, but as I was interested in the subject, perseverance ultimately got me through it.

Narrator is awful

The narrator sounds like they brought in a third tier news anchor from a small northern Michigan TV station. His pacing and pauses are bizarre and distracting to the point that you can’t follow the book. The book itself is probably adequate but it’s hard to tell.

A disjointed and out of order history of the War of 1812z

I rather liked the book, being interested in the war of 1812, but the reader is rather monotone and boring, and the way the author presents information is poor in my opinion. The author, instead of chronologically, discusses the war based on different topics on a year to year basis. I feel the book could have been presented in a much better manner than the disjointed one that currently exists, it feels more like a collection of articles rather than a book.

Reader

The reader/presenter of the book reads it like a college professor. No emotion or a change in tone. Sort of like the ghost who taught history in the Harry Potter Books!

I did not like the reader

I didn't like the reader. I thought the content was interesting, but it was hard to listen to this book.

Interesting

The book was not in a narrative form. But it was well researched., but choppy at times. The chapter on the Baltimore Riots, was new to me, and well done. As for the narration, Mr. Pratt at times read a little to fast, but overall it was good

it was like reading a dry history book

if i had been reading this i would not have finished it. listening was hard enough.

Lots of information

This audio book does a great job of taking records 'with a grain of salt' and trying to give an unbiased and accurate explanation of the war of 1812. The vocalist reading sometimes sounds like recording this is the last thing in the world he wants to do, he will have no emotion in his voice and give no inflection to words. Occasionally he will read with very little pause between words, sentences or paragraphs so he will be ending a chapter and reading the title of the next chapter, but it sounds like one big long sentence because he will read the words dead pan and without pause so it sounds like one giant sentence. It was still a great book, I certainly recommend it.

good

very much enjoyed this historically neutral well written and well read book, just the right amount of detail in my virw.