Flames Across the Border: The Canadian-American Tragedy, 1813-1814

This book is available in other hardcover and paperback editions at prices far below those which were listed for this title in mid-2008. Search using these ISBN `s: 0140108882 0771012446 0771012462 0316092177

The first years of the War of 1812 saw America fail to conquer Canada. The final years saw a number of battles that helped lay out the contours of a negotiated peace, but still constitute an essential stalemate in the one critical theater, the Northern Border. Berton takes us through the brilliant naval victories scored by Oliver Perry on the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain, as well as the failed British invasion of New York State, foiled at the Battle of Lundy's Lane. He also show us how a series of cross-border raids in the Niagara area created the circumstances under which the British launched their attacks on Fort McHenry and Washington, D.C. These occurred towards the end of the war, by which time Canada's separate identity was a foregone conclusion, leaving the parties to negotiate a peace treaty that confirmed this. (Andy Jackson's successful defence of New Orleans against a British expeditionary force occurred after the parties had signed the peace accords and had no effect on the war's outcome). Again a superb history of the only war ever fought between Canada and America.

If you want to learn about the war of 1812, the books you should read are the two Pierre Berton offerings, Flames Across the Border and The Invasion of Canada, and two from Donald E. Graves on the battles of Lundy's Lane and Crysler farm. They are quite simply the best work out there.

In almost a half century of reading, I can recall about a dozen books that were absolutely captivating, as much for the author's narrative skills as through the subject matter. This is one, and Pierre Berton is almost the only author whose works made that list more than once. The War of 1812 is a generally neglected subject in America, except perhaps for the New Orleans campaign of 1815. Berton writes from a distinctly Canadian viewpoint, although he writes so wonderfully that even the most chauvinistic American will hardly notice and won't care. Any time I begin to write something that I hope readers will enjoy beyond simple information, I try to look back over a little of Berton's work in vain hopes of picking up something of his incomparable style.

History written like fiction. Can';t say enough about how readable and entertaining this book is. Highly recommended for anyone interested in the War of 1812