Neither Victor nor Vanquished: America in the War of 1812

by William Weber

Overview

In 1812, less than forty years after breaking from Britain, the United States found itself in another war with its former colonial master. Now, during the two hundredth anniversary of the War of 1812 comes Neither Victor nor Vanquished, William Weberų reappraisal of this critical but frequently misunderstood conflict.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781612346083
Publisher:	Potomac Books Inc.
Publication date:	05/31/2013
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

WILLIAM WEBER is a retired intelligence analyst with extensive experience in political-military and strategic issues. He holds a PhD and a master’s degree in foreign affairs from the University of Virginia and taught political science at James Madison University. He lives in Fairfax, Virginia.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations vii

Acknowledgments xiii

Introduction xv

1 The Need for New Narratives 1

2 A Classical View of the Military Balance in the War of 1812 25

3 Invasions of 1814 and 1863 47

4 The Men Who Governed America during the War of 1812 73

5 Dueling Narratives: Henry Adams's Alternative History of the War of 1812 99

6 The Battle of Bladensburg: Could Washington Have Been Saved? 121

7 Victory or Defeat, and for Whom? Alternative Outcomes for the War of 1812 143

8 A Worst-Case Scenario for the War of 1812 167

9 What if the War of 1812 Had Never Occurred? 185

Chronology 205

Notes 211

Bibliographic Note and Sources 223

Index 233

About the Author 243

Editorial Reviews

“William Weber’s Neither Victor nor Vanquished is a timely, fascinating, and provocative analysis of the 1812 War. It is not so much a history as a historiography that rescues the war from relative obscurity by revealing how its results decisively shaped the nation. His evaluations of America’s military and civilian leaders and comparisons of 1812 and Civil War battles are especially thought-provoking. Weber’s book will ignite countless informed and impassioned discussions among its readers.”—William Nester, author of The Art of American Power During the Early Republic series

William Nester

"Neither Victor Nor Vanquished is a good read for those interested in the War of 1812 or "alternative history.""—NYMAS Review

NYMAS Review

William Weber’s Neither Victor nor Vanquished is a timely, fascinating, and provocative analysis of the 1812 War. It is not so much a history as a historiography that rescues the war from relative obscurity by revealing how its results decisively shaped the nation. His evaluations of America’s military and civilian leaders and comparisons of 1812 and Civil War battles are especially thought-provoking. Weber’s book will ignite countless informed and impassioned discussions among its readers.”—William Nester, author of The Art of American Power During the Early Republic series

From the Publisher