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When Washington Burned: The British Invasion of the Capital and a Nation's Rise from the Ashes
Perhaps no other single day in US history was as threatening to the survival of the nation as August 24, 1814, when British forces captured Washington, DC. This unique moment might have significantly altered the nation's path forward, but the event and the reasons why it happened are little remembered by most Americans.
When Washington Burned narrates and examines the British campaign and American missteps that led to the fall of Washington during the War of 1812. Watson analyzes the actions of key figures on both sides, such as President James Madison and General William Winder on the US side and Rear Admiral George Cockburn and Major General Robert Ross on the British side. He pinpoints the reasons the campaign was such a disaster for the United States but also tells the redeeming stories of the courageous young clerks and the bold first lady, Dolley Madison, who risked their lives to save priceless artifacts and documents from the flames, including the Constitution. The British invasion was repulsed over the coming weeks and months, and the United States ultimately emerged stronger.
General readers interested in the history of Washington, US history, and military history will be fascinated by this book.
When Washington Burned narrates and examines the British campaign and American missteps that led to the fall of Washington during the War of 1812. Watson analyzes the actions of key figures on both sides, such as President James Madison and General William Winder on the US side and Rear Admiral George Cockburn and Major General Robert Ross on the British side. He pinpoints the reasons the campaign was such a disaster for the United States but also tells the redeeming stories of the courageous young clerks and the bold first lady, Dolley Madison, who risked their lives to save priceless artifacts and documents from the flames, including the Constitution. The British invasion was repulsed over the coming weeks and months, and the United States ultimately emerged stronger.
General readers interested in the history of Washington, US history, and military history will be fascinated by this book.
- GenresAudiobook
312 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2023
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82 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 10, 2023
I lived in Washington, DC and the Washington, DC, area for a long time, and I have a strong interest in its history, so I was very excited to see a history written by a professional historian of the British attacks on Washington, DC and Baltimore in the War of 1812.
Watson's book checks in at 217 pages of text, is fully footnoted, and covers the Battle of Bladensburg, the burning of public buildings in Washington, DC, by the British, the subsequent attack on Baltimore, and examines the importance of these events within the context of the War of 1812 and more broadly, US history.
I found the writing to be uneven - it's a challenge to write about military actions in a clear, nuanced way, and in my view, Watson's descriptions of the military actions were sometimes hyperbolic and confusing. For instance, from his description of the British effort to force the bridge at the Battle of Bladensburg - "Scott was with the the advance unit, which was massacred on the bridge and forced to retreat at a full run." Another example, from the attack on Baltimore, "Strickler [American commander] organized a disciplined retreat. Although the Americans fled the battlefield..."
In the other portions of the book, Watson's writing is clear. He provides an overview of the struggles of Madison's administration of the War of 1812, details the efforts to save important documents, and local interactions with the British in DC. Watson also discusses the debate about whether or not (and possibly where) to relocate the US capital following the burning of the White House, Capitol building, and Navy Yard. He also offers a nice analysis of the broader implications for the attack - how it was shocking yet helped to arouse national spirit.
I am thankful to see this account and thought it was a good read on the topic.
Watson's book checks in at 217 pages of text, is fully footnoted, and covers the Battle of Bladensburg, the burning of public buildings in Washington, DC, by the British, the subsequent attack on Baltimore, and examines the importance of these events within the context of the War of 1812 and more broadly, US history.
I found the writing to be uneven - it's a challenge to write about military actions in a clear, nuanced way, and in my view, Watson's descriptions of the military actions were sometimes hyperbolic and confusing. For instance, from his description of the British effort to force the bridge at the Battle of Bladensburg - "Scott was with the the advance unit, which was massacred on the bridge and forced to retreat at a full run." Another example, from the attack on Baltimore, "Strickler [American commander] organized a disciplined retreat. Although the Americans fled the battlefield..."
In the other portions of the book, Watson's writing is clear. He provides an overview of the struggles of Madison's administration of the War of 1812, details the efforts to save important documents, and local interactions with the British in DC. Watson also discusses the debate about whether or not (and possibly where) to relocate the US capital following the burning of the White House, Capitol building, and Navy Yard. He also offers a nice analysis of the broader implications for the attack - how it was shocking yet helped to arouse national spirit.
I am thankful to see this account and thought it was a good read on the topic.
April 25, 2025
A well-researched history of the Washington-Baltimore campaign.
Watson does a great job describing the background of the wider war, the experience of ordinary Americans in the Washington area, and the debate about potentially relocating the capital after the attack. The story is dramatic and vivid, and Watson does a good job using firsthand accounts to tell the tale.
The narrative might be a bit confusing at times. James McHenry is called John Adams's secretary of state, even though he was secretary of war. There’s also a few typos.
A clear and fast-paced work.
Watson does a great job describing the background of the wider war, the experience of ordinary Americans in the Washington area, and the debate about potentially relocating the capital after the attack. The story is dramatic and vivid, and Watson does a good job using firsthand accounts to tell the tale.
The narrative might be a bit confusing at times. James McHenry is called John Adams's secretary of state, even though he was secretary of war. There’s also a few typos.
A clear and fast-paced work.
July 27, 2025
As someone who was born in DC and grew up in the area, this was a fascinating read. I definitely remember learning about the War of 1812 in school, mainly the White House burning and Dolley Madison saving the portrait of Washington. Our disastrous military leadership was conspicuously absent. The real MVP was Stephen Pleasanton, low-level clerk who saved the Declaration of Independence, Constitution and other important documents from beung burned by sewing together sacks in the abseof boxes, horses, carts or carriages.
July 30, 2024
What the a Brit thinks
A good book about a period of American history that most Americans know very little about. The author seems to have never heard about the War of 1812 around Lake Erie,as it is never mentioned. The motto " Don't Give Up The Ship" is remembered and the flag can be seen at thrU.S.Naval Academy. A fair Bitrish history about a war that most Americans could care less about and is really remember because of our National Anthem.
A good book about a period of American history that most Americans know very little about. The author seems to have never heard about the War of 1812 around Lake Erie,as it is never mentioned. The motto " Don't Give Up The Ship" is remembered and the flag can be seen at thrU.S.Naval Academy. A fair Bitrish history about a war that most Americans could care less about and is really remember because of our National Anthem.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews