Union 1812

The Americans Who Fought the Second War of Independence

By: A. J. Langguth

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

Here's a gripping narrative of the second and final war of independence that secured the nation's permanence and established its claim to the entire continent, by the author of the enormously successful and acclaimed Patriots: The Men Who Started the American Revolution.

This dramatic account of the War of 1812 fills a surprising gap in the popular literature of the nation's formative years. It is this war, followed closely on the War of Independence, that established the young nation as a permanent power and proved its claim to Manifest Destiny.

Full of fascinating characters - Thomas Jefferson, John Quincy Adams, James Madison, James Monroe, Andrew Jackson, Dolley Madison, Sam Houston, the great Indian chieftain Tecumseh, Francis Scott Key, Davy Crockett, and Oliver Perry, among others - Langguth's riveting account covers a vast panorama of battles, from the American sacking of Toronto and the British burning of the White House and the Capitol, to the thrilling war at sea and on the Great Lakes and the final spectacular American victory at New Orleans.

Union 1812 will take its place on the history shelf of essential books on the young nation, alongside Langguth's Patriots.

©2006 A.J. Langguth (P)2006 Tantor Media, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Langguth's prose is vivid, and he brings to life a panoply of personalities." (Publishers Weekly)

Early History makes today seem tame.

I found this book comforting because the disagreements of an earlier time in U.S. history make the political divisions of today seem milder than what I learn form current news. The duel in which Aaron Burr killed Alexander Hamilton is the most extreme example. Many of our 'founding fathers' had high minded motives, although some did not. I continue to hold George Washington, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson in high regard.

Good Overview

Pretty good overview of events leading up to and following the War of 1812. The author puts into perspective that the War was more than just Andrew Jackson's battle at New Orleans. Other fronts in the north were also fought. One minor correction. Isaac Shelby's participation at the Battle of Kings Mountain was 1780 and not 1773. At any rate, well written.

A great starting point.

Rapid pace overview from revolution to Civil War with the war of 1812 right in the middle. A great starting point. Many of the biographies I’ve read intersect in this book.

Too big an assignment

The Author tries to cover so much ground and bring to life so many historical figures that the main events (the battle of New Orleans for example) are hard to follow and people get glossed over. The Clark family, General George Rogers and brother William are discussed in relation to Jefferson's desire to explore the West. Since the former is too old (and besotted) for the trip up the Missouri Jefferson it is reported settles on younger brother William to give his plans and objectives. This did not happen. He gave them to his Presidential Secretary Meriwether Lewis who later asked William Clark to join him on the Voyage of Discovery. Clark never met Jefferson until after the return to St Louis.

Not what I wanted, but not bad

Any additional comments?

I wanted a book that detailed the War of 1812. I took a chance at selecting this one. It was not exactly what I was looking for, as it spent much time setting up the key players of the war, but little on the war itself. I fault myself more than the author or the book. I did come away learning about the personalities involved, as well as the contributing factors leading up to why the war was fought. For that, I did appreciate the book.
If you are looking for the background details of why we ended up fighting Britain again so soon, then this is the book for you. If you are wanting the details of the war then you're not going to get that far in depth with it.