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The Civil War of 1812: American Citizens, British Subjects, Irish Rebels, & Indian Allies Audiobook
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(3.08) - 201 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Alan Taylor tells the riveting story of a war that redefined North America. In a world of double identities, slippery allegiances, and porous borders, the leaders of the American Republic and the British Empire struggled to control their own diverse peoples. Taylor's vivid narrative of an often brutal- sometimes farcical-war reveals much about the tangled origins of the United States and Canada.
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"I really liked this book. I found the usual nationalism that so often invades any discussion of the War of 1812 muted and the consequences of the war to both sides discussed in a fresh way. This book was particularly useful as an intelligent rebuttal to the hyper-nationalistic and comical ads recently played before any movie in Ontario courtesy of Harper's Conservative government (still referred to as the Tories for my American friends)."
— Leigh (4 out of 5 stars)
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“Easily the most sophisticated book ever written about a conflict that is often either neglected or seriously misunderstood…Taylor’s discussions of diplomatic and political maneuvering are woven with military set-pieces into a powerful narrative…[This] book affirms his gifts for prodigious research.”
— Wall Street Journal -
“Remarkable and deeply researched…Taylor masterfully captures the strangeness of this war.”
— New York Review of Books -
“In this deeply researched and clearly written book, [Taylor] tells the riveting story of a war that redefined North America.”
— Washington Times -
“Credit Taylor with blowing most of the dust off America’s most forgotten war. This is history with a capital H.”
— Seattle Times -
“Comprehensive…Taylor’s account of a land war that roughly divided people with a common culture and heritage provides a new dimension for an understanding of 1812.”
— Boston Globe -
“A truly spellbinding narrative. Unlike other books on the War of 1812, [Taylor’s] is about the hearts and minds of the people who planned it, fought it and lived through it. Almost every page brings a revelation.”
— Toronto Star -
“An impressively accessible history…A perceptively nuanced take on a war often forgotten or misunderstood…Taylor offers persuasive arguments, a lively narrative.”
— Richmond Times Dispatch -
“Pulitzer Prize–winning historian Taylor…presents the War of 1812 not as the conventionally understood second war for independence, but as a civil war waged in the context of a US-Canadian boundary barely separating kindred peoples, recently and incompletely divided by the revolution.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“Thoroughly researched…Taylor illuminates an arena generally omitted from military histories of the war. Battles and campaigns do connect his account, however, which will stand history collections in good stead for a very long while.”
— Booklist
The Civil War of 1812 Listener Reviews
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" Andrew Garman's narration for this long book is very good. I did, however, have to speed it up to two times the speed. I like to do what is called immersion reading where I read along with the narration with the actual book in my hand. I purchased the narration to help me because I was reading this book for a graduate school class. I would recommend this ebook to anybody who needs that little extra bit of help reading history books. "
— Fredrick, 11/26/2017 -
" Well written and researched. As a Canadian, I enjoyed the American perspective that this author provides. This book provided me with insight into the poltics that affected decisions on American strategy and policy with regards the war that are mostly given cursory attention by Canadian authors. "
— Rod, 2/16/2014 -
" Still not sure why we went to war. "
— Marc, 2/12/2014 -
" I liked it. The author describes the book as a story of "civil war of a porous borderland of shifting identies." Concentration is on the Canadian/American border and the convoluted and evolving interactions of participants. Pretty fascinating. "
— Patricia, 9/6/2013 -
" This book has a great deal of interesting information. BUT, it is very tedious. I listened to an audiobook, so I couldn't know how much longer a chapter or unit was. It seemed very long and repetitive. All of that being said, I am glad I listened; I learned a lot of American history I didn't know. And, I am surprised Canada is such a good neighbor after all of the raids across the border. "
— Norma, 7/27/2013 -
" Very authentic and well researched work. "
— Mike, 7/4/2013 -
" Strong and engaging history of this war and the issues that surround it. Pretty balanced. "
— Russell, 6/15/2013 -
" Interesting insights into a largely forgotten war. "
— Alan, 6/15/2013 -
" This is an excellent and very readable account of the War of 1812. I learned more in the first 30 pages than I ever knew. So if a long historical account is too much for you, at least read the first few chapters! "
— Jackie, 2/21/2013 -
" I really enjoyed this book..very informative and provocative re the USA...Canada...and England and our borders "
— Ronnie, 9/25/2012 -
" Our pick for the fall semester 2012 Book of the Semester at BYU's David M. Kennedy Center for International Studies, commemorating the bicentennial of the War of 1812. "
— Cory, 7/8/2012 -
" Saw the PBS "War of 1812" and decided to pick this one out of the pile. So far, so good. Taylor authors another great book on the "old" northwest. "
— Tom, 11/18/2011 -
" Interesting look at the fighting on the northern front of the War of 1812. Unfortunately, he did not cover the naval fight, Eastern seaboard or Southern front. "
— Ron, 11/5/2011 -
" I now have a much better understanding of why the war of 1812 happened. Also, this book puts a much more human, everyday face on those who fought in the war. "
— Rob, 6/8/2011 -
" Not what you heard in history class, probably because it wasn't that complementary to the Americans. The author makes a good case for the War of 1812 being more of a civil war than an invasion by those wretched British redcoats. "
— Marilyn, 5/19/2011 -
" Terrific! Gave me a new perspective on the War of 1812. "
— Alex, 4/13/2011 -
" Interesting insights into a largely forgotten war. "
— Alan, 2/13/2011 -
" Something to remind you that while it may have been 200 years, "celebration" is not the right way to mark the anniversary "
— Thirsty_Mind, 11/1/2010
About Alan Taylor
Alan Taylor has won the Pulitzer and Bancroft prizes for his histories of early America. He has twice won the Pulitzer Prize in history, most recently for The Internal Enemy, which was also a finalist for the National Book Award. He is the Thomas Jefferson Professor of History at the University of Virginia.
About Andrew Garman
Andrew Garman is a television, film, and voice actor. His acting credits include the film Julie & Julia and appearances the television series Law & Order, Mercy, and Conviction. Among his audiobook narrations are Arcadia by Lauren Groff, Simply from Scratch by Alicia Bessette, and Love Is a Canoe by Ben Schrank, among others.