The War of 1812: The War That Both Sides Won

by Wesley B. Turner

Tragedy and farce, bravery and cowardice, intelligence and foolishness, sense and nonsense - all these contradictions and more have characterized the War of 1812. The real significance of the series of skirmishes that collectively made up the war between 1812 and 1814 is the enormous impact they have had on Canadian and American views of themselves and of each other. The publication of The War of 1812: The War That Both Sides Won in 1990 provided a contemporary look at the period, and included such developments as the 1975 discovery of the Hamilton and Scourge on the bottom of Lake Ontario, and the 1987 discovery of the skeletons of casualties at Snake Hill. Now, a decade later, Wesley B. Turner has updated The War of 1812 to include the volumes of new research that have come to light in recent years. All this new material has been incorporated into this interesting and informative overview of a crucial period in Canada’s history.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, American History

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1983

Reviews

[Derek Klumpenhouwer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best War of 1812 texts I have read to date.

Some interesting notes for us today:
- America originally looked at economic annexation.
- There were threats and pressure for a number of years leading up.
- There were extreme population differences. America has 7 million people while Canada had a couple hundred thousand.
- Some Canadians supported the idea of annexation. Similar today, 1 in 10 people agree with American annexation (which is lunacy)
- America entered with extreme confidence that it would be easy.
- The peace treaty believed that it would create lasting peace. The border was agreed upon by both sides. It was not just an “artificial line” as some have suggested.

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid 3 stars for this concise overview. In some spots it feels like a condensed version of a more comprehensive work; however, there is a robust bibliography. It reads like a high school text, and indeed in true student fashion the library copy I read was copiously highlighted and underlined. He gives a paragraph and a half to the Battle of Lake Erie; and the book could have benefitted from better maps and more attention to identification of the players on both sides. However, good coverage of General Brock; excellent international context; an acknowledgement of the critical role played by the Indigenous, including Tecumseh; and good information on the battles in Lake Ontario, eastern strategies and the events in the northwest (Georgian Bay to Fort Michilimackinac).

[Marc Boisseau · Rating 1 out of 5]

It’s a simplistic book. Probably good for school children. The story telling is laborious.

[Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tragedy and farce, bravery and cowardice, intelligence and foolishness, sense and nonsense - all these contradictions and more have characterized the War of 1812. The real significance of the series of skirmishes that collectively made up the war between 1812 and 1814 is the enormous impact they have had on Canadian and American views of themselves and of each other. The publication of The War of 1812: The War That Both Sides Won in 1990 provided a contemporary look at the period, and included such developments as the 1975 discovery of the Hamilton and Scourge on the bottom of Lake Ontario, and the 1987 discovery of the skeletons of casualties at Snake Hill. Now, a decade later, Wesley B. Turner has updated The War of 1812 to include the volumes of new research that have come to light in recent years. All this new material has been incorporated into this interesting and informative overview of a crucial period in Canada's history.

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

One wonders how the War of 1812 would have turned out if England had been able to give all of her attention to it. As it was she was busy trying to stand up to Napoleon in the years when the USA was fighting her in Canada. As it turned out both the USA and Canada benefitted from England's attempt to fight two wars at the same time. And boundry lines that we know today were drawn, and other agreements were made too.

[GregCarey10 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent history for a war that is renowned in Canada but quite unknown in the U.S. Turner does an excellent job of covering both sides during the war. Probably only for die hard Canadian History buffs or Canadian studies majors. Enjoy.