1. War; 2. 1812; 3. 1813; 4. 1814; 5. Peace.
A narrative history of the many dimensions of the War of 1812, which places the war in transatlantic perspective.
J. C. A. Stagg is Professor of History at the University of Virginia. He is the author of two books on James Madison, as well as many articles on the political, military and diplomatic history of the early American republic. He has edited or co-edited seventeen volumes of the papers of James Madison. He currently serves on the editorial board of the War of 1812 Magazine and the board of the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Commission.
'This is the most judicious general overview of the War of 1812
with which I am familiar. J. C. A. Stagg long ago established
himself as a leading authority on President James Madison and his
administration's handling of this too-often-neglected conflict. It
is a tribute to Stagg – and a boon to readers – that he has been
able to condense his immense expertise into such a readable and
insightful book.' Andrew Cayton, Miami University
'Few scholars know the War of 1812 better than J. C. A. Stagg.
Based on a lifetime of scholarship and an intimate knowledge of the
papers of James Madison, Stagg captures the essence of the
diplomatic, political, and military conflicts of the war in a
masterful, cogent, concise, and readable book. This is a must-read
for anyone interested in the War of 1812!' Paul A. Gilje,
University of Oklahoma
'A well-researched but masterfully succinct and complete account,
this is destined to become the definitive short history of the
United States at war in 1812–1815.' Donald E. Graves, author of
Field of Glory: The Battle of Crysler's Farm, 1813 and Where Right
and Glory Lead: The Battle of Lundy's Lane, 1814
'John Stagg's new book on the War of 1812 is a thoughtful and
illuminating treatment of America's second war with Great Britain.
As the longtime editor of the Madison papers, Stagg brings a
special understanding of our fourth president to this project, and
his treatment of the memory and legacy of the conflict is
especially insightful. Experts and novices alike will find plenty
to think about in this 'essential' history.' Donald R. Hickey,
author of The War of 1812: A Forgotten Conflict and Don't Give Up
the Ship! Myths of the War of 1812
'One of the most authoritative and balanced accounts of the War of
1812 ever written.' Gordon S. Wood, Professor of History Emeritus,
Brown University
Stagg (history, Univ. of Virginia; coeditor, The Papers of James Madison) here presents a somewhat different take on the War of 1812. He covers almost none of the naval history, instead analyzing the war's military, political, diplomatic, and social aspects from both a continental and a transatlantic perspective. In his first chapter, "War," he discusses President James Madison's war message to Congress, which cited as a justification the grievous events that had been occurring among the United States, Great Britain, and France since the end of the American Revolution in 1783. The next three chapters present the war chronologically, focusing on the military aspects, always with an eye to its causes and effects on the North American continent. The final chapter, "Peace," discusses various attempts at ending the conflict almost from the time it began to the December 1814 Treaty of Ghent, which theoretically put a stop to the shooting war. Stagg ably contends that the complete redress of grievances did not end until the 1830s. VERDICT This capably told account of complex issues should appeal to both students and scholars. It is also a fine choice for informed general readers.-David Lee Poremba, Windermere, FL (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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