The War of 1812: The War That Both Sides Won. 2nd ed.

John Abbott is a professor of history at Laurentian University’s Algoma University College. He is the co-author of The Border at Sault Ste Marie and The History of Fort St. Joseph.

For students preparing essays, researchers requiring an efficient access
to state-of-the-art information on the War of 1812, and history buffs,
this is the book to pick up first. For three decades, Wesley Turner
taught the history of this conflict at Brock University in St.
Catharines, Ontario, a city located at the heart of the region where
some of the most celebrated battles of that war occurred. His knowledge
is deep and extensive, his prose is lucid, and his capacity for
effective organization brings the myriad elements of a complex story
together and keeps it moving.

These qualities are found in the introductory chapter, which offers
concise analyses of the situations in Europe, the United States, and
British North America. The major factors that fed the military equation
are carefully weighed, measured, and inserted. Consequently, Canadians
learn a great deal about the state of their military forces at the time.
They also discover what the “fencibles” were, and are introduced to
Indian interests, strategy, and style of warfare.

The record of this war reinforces the importance of leadership, as we
see Brock and Tecumseh matched against the American General Hull at
Detroit, and observe the importance of Captain Robert’s decision to
mount a lighting attack on the American fort commanding the strait
between Lakes Huron and Michigan. Failure of effective leadership also
prejudiced the American cause at Queenston.

Turner offers informed, sensible, and sometimes thought-provoking
commentary on this curious war. His excellent and attractively priced
book is highly recommended.