Although frequently overlooked between the American Revolution and the Civil War, the War of 1812 tested a rising generation of American leaders;unified the United States with a renewed sense of national purpose; and set the stage forwestward expansion from Mackinac Island to the Gulf of Mexico. USS Constitution,"Old Ironsides," proved the mettle of the fledgling American navy; Oliver HazardPerry hoisted a flag boasting, "Don't Give Up the Ship"; and Andrew Jackson's raggedforce stood behind its cotton bales at New Orleans and bested the pride of Britishregulars. Here are the stories of commanding generals such as America's double-dealing James Wilkinson, Great Britain's gallant Sir Isaac Brock, Canada's heroinefarm wife Laura Secord, and country doctor William Beanes, whose capture set thestage for Francis Scott Key to write "The Star-Spangled Banner."

List of Maps

Acknowledgments

INTRODUCTION

The War That Forged a Nation

BOOK ONE

Drumbeats (1807-1812)

To Steal an Empire

First Blood at Sea

War Hawks and Tippecanoe

Mr. Madison's War

Concessions Too Late

BOOK TWO

Bugles (1812-1814)

Oh, Canada

Hurrah for Old Ironsides

Marching on a Capital

Don't Give Up the Ship

We Have Met the Enemy

Old Hickory Heads South

On the Thames and St. Lawrence

The Lion's Roar

BOOK THREE

Finale (1814-1815)

Niagara's Thunder

Lake Champlain

Another Capital Burns

O Say, Can You See?

Still Mr. Madison's War

Christmas in Ghent

Along the Mighty Mississip'

A Nation at Last

Endnotes

Bibliography

Index