Helpful Score: 3
A tale of our nation's youth, of passions, a half forgotten war and incomparable men and women. Splendidly researched and finely written.
Helpful Score: 3
This historical soap opera is centered around Pres. James and Dolly Madison, General Andrew and Rachel Jackson. Its presented in a story format with lots of dialogue. You'll never be bored! The best history book I ever read!
Helpful Score: 1
As a huge fan of historical fiction, I usually set pretty high standards for any historical fiction novel I come across! This one passed! It was great. I didn't know much about the War of 1812 before reading this book. Very enjoyable and informative read!
Helpful Score: 1
Fabulous book, so well written. I enjoyed every page of it and learned so much American history in the process. I had always thought the Star Spangled Banner was written during the Revolutionary War not the war of 1812! Andrew and Rachel Jackson are characters to love and admire, as well as James and Dolley Madison. Niven sticks to the historical facts and is true to the character and personality of the various individuals. A really good book. I'm going to request some other titles by Nevin.
This was the first historical novel I ever read. Recently I went back through the book and it still holds up. It is wonderfully written and tells a compelling story about an event everyone should understand.
I enjoyed this book very much. It was beautifully researched and very informative about a war that is frequently forgotten in American History. The story revolves around James and Dolly Madison, Andrew and Rachel Jackson and other major figures fighting the war on both sides. I especially enjoyed reading about Winfield Scott and the battle of New Orleans. Dolly Madison and the burning of the White House by the British is usually the only thing people remember. Very well written! Genny
While this was a good story, I thought there was a lot of filler, significantly on the romance side, with some sex thrown in. As if we couldn't handle a historical novel without that.
I was pleased to see the author made Jacob Brown somewhat of a major character in the book. Brown was a Quaker and pioneer settler who became one of our best generals during the War of 1812, and later served as commanding General of the U.S Army from 1821 until his death in 1828. While he is rarely mentioned in history, he deserves to be. But the author spent more time on Winfield Scott. I'm prejudiced, as I put a lot of work into the Jacob Brown Wikipedia page.
I was pleased to see the author made Jacob Brown somewhat of a major character in the book. Brown was a Quaker and pioneer settler who became one of our best generals during the War of 1812, and later served as commanding General of the U.S Army from 1821 until his death in 1828. While he is rarely mentioned in history, he deserves to be. But the author spent more time on Winfield Scott. I'm prejudiced, as I put a lot of work into the Jacob Brown Wikipedia page.
evcelent reading about the USA in the beginning. right in the middle of the war.
From back of book:
The war of 1812 would either make America a global power sweeping all the way to the Pacific--or break it into small pieces bound to mighty England. It was a second revolution of sorts to prove to the British that America had to be taken seriously. The principal actors in this drama were James and Dolley Madison, and Andrew and Rachel Jackson. Their courage and determination would shape America's destiny.
The war of 1812 would either make America a global power sweeping all the way to the Pacific--or break it into small pieces bound to mighty England. It was a second revolution of sorts to prove to the British that America had to be taken seriously. The principal actors in this drama were James and Dolley Madison, and Andrew and Rachel Jackson. Their courage and determination would shape America's destiny.
