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War of 1812: A History From Beginning to End

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War of 1812 The War of 1812 is often forgotten when we think about the history of the United States. Yet the effects of what seems a minor and insignificant conflict are far-reaching, even to today. The world settled into the roles it would play out for decades, and the boundaries of the United States and Canada would be set for the next two hundred years. Inside you will read about... ✓ The Beginning of the War ✓ From Tippecanoe to War Hawks ✓ The War in the North ✓ The Battles of the Middle United Iowa and Lake Erie ✓ The Patriot’s War ✓ Washington in Flames ✓ A Bit About Pirates ✓ What is the impact of the War of 1812? And much more! Unlikely heroes would rise, leading to eventual power, while Native Americans would play out their own struggle on a backdrop of bloodshed and intrigue.

121 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 17, 2016

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506 people want to read

About the author

Henry Freeman

52 books89 followers
Henry Freeman is an author and archaeologist. He has a passion for history and loves to travel the world exploring various historical sites.

Henry graduated from the University of Cambridge with a double major in History and Archaeology and shortly after that started his career as an archaeologist.

After traveling the world getting first-hand experience with history, Henry was determined to take up his dream of becoming a best-selling author.

He decided to partner up with the newly formed publishing company Hourly History writing short, concise and straightforward history books that never takes more than one hour to read.

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5 stars
206 (30%)
4 stars
227 (33%)
3 stars
189 (28%)
2 stars
36 (5%)
1 star
14 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
Profile Image for Rubin Carpenter.
686 reviews
June 21, 2021
An interesting conflict

This book starts off well with a few bits of information that were noteworthy but then it gets a little off and I spotted a few Editorial errors Andrew Jackson couldn't have been President from 1829 - 1937 but still an ok read
Profile Image for Zac Stojcevski.
655 reviews6 followers
December 25, 2021
Prior to the reading of this book I has the vaguest of awareness of this event - in Australia I can’t recall any discussion thereof. Hence the best and worst aspect of this book is it’s absolute brevity. As a primer, what an overview of the context and the outcomes in the chronology around the eponymous year. However, just as interest is piqued, the chapter is over! One the whole, the book works well to remind us that the UNITED States don’t have a straight forward and entitled history of unity and the manipulation of First Nations by colonialism,
4 reviews
March 29, 2022
Not all free books are useless. Hourly History made it again! His book explain so good th war of 1812 between America an England! In other countfries, this is the history no one talks about...
Profile Image for Miltiadis Michalopoulos.
Author 1 book58 followers
December 29, 2024
In this book Mr Freeman has done a very good job. This is a concise and complete story of the war between USA and the United Kingdom during the Napoleonic wars. It is written in a captivating style and when I finished the book I had a clear view on the sunbject. Highly recommend it to every student of the period.
24 reviews1 follower
January 20, 2019
Very vague overview of the war.
Profile Image for Rubi.
2,666 reviews15 followers
February 7, 2022
I'd actually give this 3.5 stars if I could. It kept information short and to the point and fairly easy to understand. I also loved the last chapter that explained the rippling effects of the war in international affairs. But I was a bit confused on some of the chronological order and the importantance of some people.
I also liked how they didn't talk about certain people as the "bad guys" vs "good guys", it was strictly factual and putting into perspective motives of all sides. It a liiiittle boring at some parts though. But overall a good and concise history lesson.
Profile Image for R.E. E. Derouin.
Author 9 books8 followers
March 28, 2022
The War of 1812; A History from Beginning to End by Henry Freeman 3/22/2022 Kindle

This is a very short read but it summarizes nicely the major events of one of our lessor known wars. It took but one reading to finish, but I enjoyed the details and learned a few new facts. I read a lot of history and appreciate new information when I locate it. My only slight complaint was the repetition of some facts that I found totally unnecessary. Yes, I would recommend this little book to anyone interested in this period of America’s past.
Profile Image for Rick  Farlee.
1,156 reviews10 followers
June 22, 2021

QUICK HISTORICAL INFORMATION

This is a good, short overview of the war, giving the reader a basic understanding of the events that led up to the declaration of war and the results of the aftermath... I would have enjoyed more input about the pirates who aided in the American cause and the acquisition of Florida.
Overall, its a good, brief history lesson that had more impact on US history than most people realize. RECOMMENDED
Profile Image for Rin Michaelis.
37 reviews8 followers
January 17, 2022
Great book

My only complaint is that all the hopping around he did was a bit confusing; however, I guess it can't be helped, as he covered so much. The most fascinating thing is learning about British impressment. Heck, the part about good pirates makes me want to learn more about pirates, and I respect Andrew Jackson only slightly more, but not as a president. Nothing can justify the Trail of Tears. I'm part Cherokee, and the Trail of Tears is unforgivable in my eyes.
13 reviews
January 8, 2026
Confusing Writing

This book was a nice and easy read, but I found the writers sentence structure and explanations of the way things occurred to be somewhat confusing. He tries to make it interesting. I'm finding that I doubt the factual accuracy of the accounts. I'll need to get a better more thorough book too understand the writers contention that this was the true First World War.
Profile Image for Anil Swarup.
Author 3 books721 followers
March 21, 2020
When the world was pre-occupied with the war raging on the Continent as Napoleon was busy conquering Europe, the one in the New World too had far reaching implication but didn't catch as much attention. Freeman does a great job in detailing the events and the battles succinctly in this book. He brings forth the complexities of the War of 1812 in an intelligible manner.
46 reviews1 follower
October 25, 2020
A Captivating Read.

The author has very succinctly presented the way events unfolded in the great American hinterlands and how the bloody battle of 1812 unfolded, not to mention its tragic human and economic ramifications and also how history's course was changed after the epochal war !
479 reviews7 followers
July 4, 2021
Historical Documentary

Great detail with facts. Excellent basis to support the war. However, the atreaty of Ghent was signed 12/24/1814 and ratified by US Congress 2/16/1815. In effect, both side agred to revert back to their status of 1811 as if the war had never happened. All the death and destruction was in vain. A good historical read
Profile Image for Daniel Williams.
180 reviews3 followers
August 15, 2021
Yes it was supposed to be a quick summary, but maybe too quick. Covered the reasons and misunderstanding and set up for war well. But the war itself split into locations and different theaters and styles was tough. True probably no other way to do it, but they did not connect well. So why the two stars for difficulty in what events were occurring in which year and/or simultaneously.
5 reviews
December 17, 2021
Informational

I like how cleanly written the book is, its great information about history is on point . This sums up the knowledge we ought to yearn from the hows and whys of war history. I learned a lot and so I think everyone should as well. I would definitely recommend it. It's short yet precise.

Profile Image for Rebecca Cecil.
412 reviews78 followers
January 8, 2025
Good book. Lots of information

The war of 1812 lasted till 1815. During this war their were several battles. America was in battle with the British. Also during these years, one in in particular 1814 was when the Star Spangled Banner song was written. Later of course it became America's National Anthem much later.
Profile Image for Bob Wagstaff.
Author 2 books
April 7, 2018
An interesting read about a war which the book rightly identifies has somehow slipped from the psyche of British memory - probably because we lost it. A true case of history being written by the winners and forgotten by the losers.
Profile Image for Ericka.
223 reviews
August 5, 2020
It was a fast read book, just a quick glance about what was the principal causes of the 1812 war, the major battles, the main characters that were involved and how it ended. Nice introduction to get a general idea of what happened. I liked it very much.
152 reviews2 followers
May 28, 2021
The little known why and wherefore of a mostly useless conflict

Many things happened in this war that are hardly known by most Americans today. The least of which was the planning for succession by five New England states.
19 reviews
August 19, 2021
Missed a large part of the war.

No mention of the battle at North Point. Major glossing over the impressment reasons for the war. Just a bad book and should not be taken as fact by any serious students of the war of 1812 or by any serious students of American History.
577 reviews1 follower
October 5, 2021
This is a simplified book which covers several of the significant actions during this war. It is in no way complete and I would suggest it is for someone in middle school. It is brief, easy to read, and gives an overview of the key events.
Profile Image for Timothy Coplin.
384 reviews2 followers
October 21, 2021
??....1812....??

Great little info bomb which, short of a few glaring typos ie. the length of Jackson's Presidency, serves to fill a gap in this readers educational background of American history.
6 reviews1 follower
January 6, 2022
Pretty good

I knew almost nothing about the war if 1812 before reading this book and though this book could have been much more extensive I enjoyed reading it and feel like I learned a bunch from this book. I look forward to other book by the author.
351 reviews6 followers
July 13, 2023
Very good review

The author brings out facts that are often covered up in current polished history. I also enjoyed his after action of what the effects of the war was on people and nations.
Profile Image for Jayne.
1,193 reviews11 followers
December 24, 2023
3.5 stars

A short history of the War of 1812. It was mainly a list of battles, dates and commanders, with a few short anecdotes. As it was such a short book, there was not much scope for detailed explanation.
Profile Image for Craig.
49 reviews1 follower
November 4, 2024
Short history of forgotten war

Its adequate if you know nothing about this conflict. It did finally end the problems with Great Britain that had been ongoing since our revolution. We have mostly veeb friends and Allies since.
262 reviews
December 30, 2025
A brief overview

One of the world's forgotten conflicts but it shaped the modern world. This a brief account that covers all the important events
A good starting point to understand this conflict.
6 reviews
December 5, 2017
Nothing new

Short, sketchy review of US war of 1812...Sorry I bought it...Brian Kilmead and Bill OReilly did a much better job...
3 reviews
January 9, 2018
Good Book

Enjoyed the book. I didn't know very much about the war. Great overview, I look forward to reading more from this author



3 reviews
January 16, 2018
Somewhat entertaining

I found this book somewhat entertaining at times, but for the most part it is dry and feels like a long drawn out book report.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews

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