But the young nation isn't ready for war -- democracies are never ready. Madison agonizes but the British, now in a life-and-death fight against Napoleon's legions, continue to take crewmen from our ships at gunpoint while they seize cargoes and ships on spurious claims of neutrality violations. Nothing can justify such casual contempt -- if ever we are to take our place in the family of nations, we must enforce respect.

1812 gives you in exciting action scenes the pressures of war and its ultimate triumph but it tells its story more in terms of the torn emotions of its characters than in the actual sound of gunfire:

The central figures, Dolley and James Madison, a love story under the pressures of war in what is coming to be called the White House.

Andrew and Rachel Jackson, a second love story as this frontier couple live down the scandal that rocked their early life and drive ahead to great triumph in New Orleans.

Winfield Scott, the brilliant young officer who endears himself to Madison by winning crucial battles while professionalizing the U.S. Army, a trend of excellence that continues through today.

Sally McQuirk, the main fictional figure, a pretty young woman who must hide her journalistic ambitions as she gives us a woman's view of war.

1812 gives the whole story -- the early losses and disgraces, our troops in flight, Scott stepping in to impose discipline and confidence. The British land in Maryland and march on Washington, burning the White House from which Madison and Dolley must flee. Still the British can't support their move with a permanent invasion and they retreat to their ships.

The British plan two crushing moves. They'll come down from the north through Lake Champlain, seize New York City, split off New England. And they'll seize New Orleans and drive north to connect with Canada. The U.S. Navy stops the northern incursion at the Battle of Plattsburgh which we see from Sally McQuirk's very feminine point-of-view.

And in the climactic battle, Andrew Jackson rallies his troops to meet the British and hands them a disastrous defeat that settles matters forever. The United States has passed its baptism of fire, proved itself and is ready to drive ahead, fixing democracy and opening the West toward its continental destiny.

1812 is a novel but its history is accurate and it is told through the lives and loves of historical figures as magnificent story.

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