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Product Description
From Publishers Weekly
Ten bestselling authors have contributed blurbs to Nevin's second novel (after the bestselling Dream West, 1983)?among them fellow historical novelists Gary Jennings, James Michener and John Jakes. Nevin incorporates traits of all three in his re-creation of the War of 1812: Jennings's intense detailing, Michener's sweep and Jakes's passion for America all surface here at times, though what results is less a glorious work of historical art than an insistently intriguing animated tableau. The narrative can be terribly talky, especially in the beginning. An early scene in the White House featuring President James Madison and a visiting General Andrew Jackson, who wants to take Canada by force from Britain, crams enough political, military and cultural information into dialogue between the two to fill a history lesson?no surprise, since Nevin writes history books for the Time-Life series. Yet, in this very scene, Jackson and Madison, modeled with care, come to some sort of virtual life. As war begins between Britain and the U.S., culminating in the writing of the "Star Spangled Banner" and the burning of Washington, D.C., Nevin, helping himself with particularly vigorous battle scenes, conveys a kind of grandeur. This is, in essence, a patriotic pageant, but it's one crammed with color and captivating characters, and a good bet to follow in Dream West's footsteps as a TV miniseries. $150,000 ad/ promo; author tour.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Library Journal
This sprawling historical novel, with colorful characters ranging from Andrew Jackson to Winfield Scott, will certainly have some guaranteed appeal. Nevin's (Dream West, 1983) ability to sum up historical events in readable prose serves to bring to life a somewhat obscure corner of U.S. history, the War of 1812. Especially well executed are the battle scenes, which are narrated from the field and manage to retain a clear picture of the overall events. Nicely drawn maps of battles and troop movements lend an added air of authority and clarity to the proceedings. Some of Nevin's attempts to make full-blooded human beings of his characters?from Dolley and James Madison to Andrew and Rachel Jackson?by giving them a love life are less than effective. Still, this is recommended wherever there is interest in historical fiction.
-?David Glenn Dodd, Univ. of Colorado at Colorado Springs
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
-?David Glenn Dodd, Univ. of Colorado at Colorado Springs
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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"You're sweet on young Jackson, ain't you?" Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
"You're sweet on young Jackson, ain't you?" Read the first page
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Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best History Book I've Ever Read,
By James A. White (Cookeville, TN United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: 1812 (Paperback)
This is quite simply the best history book I've ever read, whether it's non-fiction, a textbook, or historical fiction (as this one is), regardless of the time period or country involved. The book goes very in-depth on the War of 1812 and hits you with constant facts, but you'll never be bored. It's all presented in story format with lots of dialogue that isn't really very stilted or different from our own. It sounds more like ours when we're just trying to sound good. The descriptive passages are exciting and easy to read.Six main people make up the fabric of this novel: Pres. James and Dolly Madison are in Washington, D.C., running the country and throwing Dolley's famous political balls. The excitement as Dolley runs from the burning White House is tangible. Next, is Andrew and Rachel Jackson, first at home in Nashville, TN, and then with Andrew on the warfront. First, he battles the Seminole Indians in Florida and eventually takes on the British in New Orleans. Finally, Winfield Scott leads his troops in amazing land victories while getting occasional visits from his Washington girlfriend, the daughter of a newspaper magnate and the only main fictional character in the novel. This book makes you realize, for the first time, what war truly is. It isn't dropping bombs from the air on nameless and faceless people. It's seeing your enemy eye-to-eye, and occasionally fighting him hand-to-hand for the sake of your country's survival, amid political turmoil and threat of secession. Remember: War is hell! This book is heaven!
5.0 out of 5 stars
Read this book!! You won't regret it.,
By
This review is from: 1812 (Paperback)
I'm just going to keep this short and sweet: 1812 is a fabulous book! I read it over a year ago and I still rave about it to anyone who will listen!! My brother and I bought it as part of a gift for our father but he never got it because neither of us could put it down. We read it so many times the jacket is ruined. Whether you're a history buff, just someone who likes to read, or someone who wants to be reminded why they should be proud to be an American, you won't regret picking up this book. It is so down to earth, so real, and so vibrant you can't help but be moved by arguably the most important yet little remembered war in America's history, and the people who believed in America enough to win it against all odds. Beautiful book.
5.0 out of 5 stars
1812,
By Stan Pratt (Honesdale, PA United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: 1812 (Paperback)
I truly enjoy reading about the colonial period of our nation and had considered myself to be quite well versed on the subject. This book however presented some interesting, and new to me, insight into the condition and feeling in the nation these few short years after the revolution. Highly recommend it.
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