Often called "the forgotten conflict," the War of 1812 has always been one of our least understood wars. Initiated to redress wrongs committed on the high seas (e.g., impressing American sailors into the Royal Navy), the war was supported only by segments of the population and almost caused the secession of the New England states from the Union. Full of military blunders and poor planning and logistics, it ended with the destruction of Washington, DC, by the British, the loss and reconquest of the Old Northwest territory, and the unnecessary and bloody Battle of New Orleans, which occurred after the peace treaty. The issue of impressments was not in fact addressed. Hickey (history, Wayne State Coll.; The War of 1812: A Forgotten Conflict) and Clark begin their oversize and handsomely illustrated book in 1793 and carry it forward through the Treaty of Ghent in 1814. They end with a chapter that will help readers understand the legacy of the war. The narrative is easy to follow, with each chapter broken down into easily digested sections. Verdict Plainly written and nicely illustrated, including a center section of color plates, this book commends itself to both the general reader and students of the conflict.-David Lee Poremba, Windermere, FL (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Beginning in 2012, the US and Canada will celebrate the bicentennial of the War of 1812--a war that historian Hickey (Wayne State College) had previously termed "The Forgotten Conflict." In this illustrated history of the war, Hickey and Connie Clark have assembled iconic and rarely seen images of the conflict in a fast-paced narrative that includes abundant details about this important era of warfare. The images of this conflict did confirm that the war did not represent a second war of independence, but that it helped establish the young republic's nationhood. Oliver Hazard Perry, Thomas Macdonough, William Henry Harrison, and Andrew Jackson all entered the pantheon of American heroes; Francis Scott Key immortalized the US defense at Fort McHenry in verse that subsequently became the Star-Spangled Banner; and, the selective American memory conceived of the war as a victory for the US. Thereafter, Americans reveled in a new sense of nationalism, embraced bold confidence, and demonstrated a patriotic ability to construct a nation in their image. This outstanding book captures the stunning images of the war and that transformation. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All levels/libraries. G. A. Smith Texas Christian University