Ships of Oak, Guns of Iron: The War of 1812 and the Forging of the American Navy - Historical Book on US Naval Warfare | Perfect for History Buffs & Military Enthusiasts

Author Ronald Utt has written an excellent work on the US Navy and the War of 1812! This is an excellent book: well-written, comprehensive, well-researched. This is a work of history that will be hard to put down because it often reads like an adventure novel!The book begins with the situation in the early nineteenth century and the many issues and conflicts that brought the young United States and Great Britain to war. The author then tells the story of the War of 1812, alternating between war at sea and war on land. Battles are cogently explained and major personalities are brought to light, often with short bios. Ship-to-ship combat is well covered including maps of the movements of the various ships during engagements. The author wisely uses many first-hand accounts to allow the reader to hear of deeds from the men who were there."Ships Of Oak, Guns Of Iron" tells the tale of the war at sea, both on the seas and the Great lakes. It covers the Americans' big 44-gun frigates and their victories and losses versus British warships - but everyone covers those. Author Ronald Utt also covers the smaller ships such as the Essex, Wasp and Hornet. Great Lakes naval battles such as Oliver Hazard Perry's victory at Put In Bay and the crucial ship combat on Lake Champlain are also covered. Unlike many books on the War of 1812, the author covers the American privateers who devastated Britain's economy by taking or sinking so many merchant ships.The author covers land campaigns in the north from the "Old Northwest" to Canada, New York and Maine. These battles, by land or water, were crucial in deciding if the United States would keep the vast territory it won in the War of Independence in what would become Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan. The author explains the situation not only from the point of view of Americans and British, but also the Amerindians who were also fighting for their homeland.The war on the Atlantic coast including campaigns against Washington and the aborted attack on Baltimore. The war in the south is well covered in Jackson's campaigns against the Creeks and eventually the battle for New Orleans with the city and the whole Mississippi country in jeopardy.The author does a fine job of writing a no-holds-barred account, showing bravery, profesionalism and boldness as well as incompetence, cowardice and just plain stupidity on both sides of the conflict. I was amazed by the willingness of President Madison and those in his administration to appoint military commanders based solely upon their political affiliation - even men who had no military ability at all! The reader will be surprised by the conflicts between men who are supposed to be on the same side and yet work to thwart each other!This is a fine book that any reader of early American history will enjoy and learn from. I recommend this book with five stars.