A narrative history documents the importance of the conflict to the United States' subsequent development and expansion, tracing the expansiveness of the war, its role in furthering American independence, and the colorful personalities that contributed to its outcome. Reprint. 25,000 first printing Although frequently overlooked between the American Revolution and the Civil War, the War of 1812 tested a rising generation of American leaders; unified the United States with a renewed sense of national purpose; and set the stage for westward expansion from Mackinac Island to the Gulf of Mexico. USS Constitution, "Old Ironsides," proved the mettle of the fledgling American navy; Oliver Hazard Perry hoisted a flag boasting, "Don't Give Up the Ship"; and Andrew Jackson's ragged force stood behind it's cotton bales at New Orleans and bested the pride of British regulars. Here are the stories of commanding generals such as America's double-dealing James Wilkinson, Great Britain's gallant Sir Isaac Brock, Canada's heroine farm wife Laura Secord, and country doctor William Beanes, whose capture set the stage for Francis Scott Key to write "The Star-Spangled Banner." During the War of 1812, the United States cast off its cloak of colonial adolescence and -- with both humiliating and glorious moments -- found the fire that was to forge a nation. This P.S. edition features an extra 16 pages of insights into the book, including author interviews, recommended reading, and more. List of Maps xi Acknowledgments xiii Introduction The War That Forged a Nation 1(6) Book One Drumbeats (1807--1812) To Steal an Empire 7(12) First Blood at Sea 19(7) War Hawks and Tippecanoe 26(12) Mr. Madison's War 38(7) Concessions Too Late 45(12) Book Two Bugles (1812--1814) Oh, Canada 57(20) Hurrah for Old Ironsides 77(19) Marching on a Capital 96(16) Don't Give Up the Ship 112(7) We Have Met the Enemy 119(17) Old Hickory Heads South 136(17) On the Thames and St. Lawrence 153(20) The Lion's Roar 173(10) Book Three Finale (1814--1815) Niagara's Thunder 183(16) Lake Champlain 199(17) Another Capital Burns 216(20) O Say, Can You See? 236(13) Still Mr. Madison's War 249(11) Christmas in Ghent 260(11) Along the Mighty Mississip' 271(23) A Nation at Last 294(11) Endnotes 305(22) Bibliography 327(8) Index 335