The Incredible War of 1812:
A Military History
By J. Mackay Hitsman
Updated by Donald E. Graves
J. Mackay Hitsman's account of the War of 1812, first published in 1965, is exciting and authoritative, and is regarded by many experts as the best one-volume history of that conflict. It is an engrossing account of the causes of the war and of the campaigns and battles that raged on land and water, from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico.
Hitsman describes the life and role of the soldiers, both the regulars and the militia, and the difficulties of waging war in trackless territory, where rivers and lakes were the main means of transport. His examination of the strengths and weaknesses of the leaders on both sides helps us to understand the events as they unfold, and he dispels some of the myths that have pervaded earlier accounts.
This new edition, edited by well known War of 1812 scholar Donald E. Graves, contains the entire text of the original and much new material:
- Foreword by Sir Christopher Prevost (descendant of the wartime British commander-in-chief)
- Introductory essay by Donald E. Graves
- More than 50 illustrations of leaders, uniforms, weapons, warships, medals and battle scenes
- 20 maps of campaigns and battles
- Appendices listing British and Canadian military units and their modern successors; the First Nations that fought on both sides; the warships of the opposing navies; and the medals and awards of the war
- A comprehensive bibliography with more than 1,000 entries
About the author
A native of Kingston, J. Mackay Hitsman (1917-1970) served as
a captain in the Second World War and was later chief archivist
of the Army Historical Section in Ottawa. Besides this book,
he also produced Safeguarding Canada, 1763-1871 and, with
J.L. Granatstein, Broken Promises: A History of Conscription
in Canada.
About the editor
Donald E. Graves is an internationally recognized expert on the
War of 1812 and has written or edited five previous books
on that conflict, including Field of
Glory: The Battle of Crysler's Farm, 1813 (Robin Brass
Studio, 1999), of which Quill & Quire said: "This
is history at its best: exciting, entertaining, and readable."
His study of the bloody 1814 battle of Lundy's Lane, Where Right and Glory Lead!,
has been called "an excellent example of the 'sharp end'
of military history."
He has served as an historical consultant for the War of 1812 segment of the CBC Television's "People's History of Canada," and he is writing a biography of Joseph Willcocks, the worst traitor in Canadian history and the man who bears the greatest responsibility for the burning of Washington in 1814.
For a complete list of works by Donald E. Graves, go to Books by Donald E. Graves.
To visit the website of Donald E. Graves, go to Sword and Pen.