Razor78 | 22 Aug 2014 11:27 a.m. PST |
For anyone looking to wargame the Niagara frontier there is a series of books on Amazon by Richard Feltoe that I think are great (even have Kindle versions). Good simple explanations of the events leading up to the battle as well as details on troops, and dispositions. Plenty of maps too. And they are cheap!! |
Glengarry5 | 22 Aug 2014 12:32 p.m. PST |
I have the War of 1812 series of books by Robert E. Graves ("Where right and Glory Lead", "Redcoats and Grey Jackets", "All their glories past" etc..) as reference books. |
spontoon | 22 Aug 2014 3:14 p.m. PST |
Richard Feltoe is an old friend and while he's not THE Authority on many things he does his research and writes quite readable prose. He's a museum curator as well. |
21eRegt | 22 Aug 2014 8:05 p.m. PST |
I agree with the above. For a "no holds barred" view from the American side read "Amateurs to Arms" by John Elting. link He doesn't try to whitewash or rationalize the early failures of the American army or justify our declaration of war. Highly recommended. |
steamingdave47 | 23 Aug 2014 3:11 a.m. PST |
"When Britain Burned The White House" by Peter Snow is an entertaining account. |
IronDuke596 | 23 Aug 2014 9:26 a.m. PST |
I have all but the last in the series of six books (Upper Canada preserved), the last is due out in the Fall I believe. These books are an outstanding boon for the War of 1812 war gamer and history buff. They contain detailed OOB, concise description of the battles and their topography and an explanation of the battles in the operational context. Rarely, do I find a military books on the tactical level that satisfy my need for more maps. Richard Feltoe's series is an exception. The descriptions of the battle coupled with the many phased maps provide a vivid and clear understanding of how each battle developed. Although the battle accounts are concise they are nonetheless supported by sound bibliography of primary and secondary sources that are properly foot noted. This series is highly recommended. Also, recommended is Feltoe's; "Redcoated Ploughboys: The Volunteer Battalion of Incorporated Militia of Upper Canada 1813-1815." |
Cloudy | 24 Aug 2014 7:40 a.m. PST |
I just ordered the Feltoe books on Kindle for a bundle price of around $18. USD for the 1st five. I also highly recommend the Elting book. It is truly amazing what a mess the militia system made of matters – and that anything was able to be accomplished at all! |
spontoon | 05 Sep 2014 7:28 p.m. PST |
yeah, John Elting's book for sure. He makes the War of 1812 U.S. military command sound even worse then the present one! |
Iceblock | 05 Sep 2014 7:58 p.m. PST |
Glengarry – you mean Donald Graves right? not Robert. JJ |
Davoust | 12 Sep 2014 7:11 p.m. PST |
To add to the list War of 1812: Land Operations by STanley Pierre Berton's books: Flames Across the Border and The Invasion of Canadian. Rene Chartrand Uniforms and Equipment of the United States Forces in the War of 1812. Break down by State, Territory and Federal Forces per year. Merry Hearts Make Light Days: Journal of Lt John Le Couteur of the 104th Foot. For the South Struggle for the Gulf Border Lands by Frank Onsley. Covers the Creek Civil War, how the States became involved, the different campaigns (Andy Jackson was a late comer to the war)and Spanish/English involvement. Ends with the Battles of New Orleans and the 2nd Battle of Mobile after New Orleans. |
peterlowitt | 19 Oct 2014 9:19 a.m. PST |
The battle of New Orleans but for a piece of wood is an excellent account of the campaign with an interesting argument, that if the Brits had won they would likely have renegotiated the treaty of Ghent |