Rating: 
Summary: Authoritative Anecdotal History in its best form!
Review: Finally a book that takes the dates, debates and fates of our loosely memorized historical facts and breathes veritable life into the gripping events of 1814. America IS more than mere facts. 1814 SHOULD be remembered with a spirit of honor and respect for those who fought and for those who lived through the tumultuously passionate early childhood of our nation.
If you need a map to keep the geography in order, get one. It's not a necessity! The masterful unveiling of this moment in our history is so thoroughly documented and equally expressed it drives this book to become a must on every bookshelf, whether you are a history buff or not! Read it, remember it and tell a friend. Its great conversation!
Rating:
Summary: Authoritative Anecdotal History in its best form!
Review: Finally a book that takes the dates, debates and fates of our loosely memorized historical facts and breathes veritable life into the gripping events of 1814. America IS more than mere facts. 1814 SHOULD be remembered with a spirit of honor and respect for those who fought and for those who lived through the tumultuously passionate early childhood of our nation.
If you need a map to keep the geography in order, get one. It's not a necessity! The masterful unveiling of this moment in our history is so thoroughly documented and equally expressed it drives this book to become a must on every bookshelf, whether you are a history buff or not! Read it, remember it and tell a friend. Its great conversation!
Rating:
Summary: WASHINGTON SACKED BY FOREIGN ARMY !!
Review: I imagine most Americans would think the above title reflected historical fiction rather than fact.The fact is that most contemporay Americans thought the Burning of Washington would live on forever in the American mind as an ignoble moment of shame and humiliation. That it has largely been forgotten is a testament to how America has changed and grown since 1814 -- rendering what has become one of our "little wars" largely to the history books with an occasional reprieve when the Star Spangled Banner is considered. It is worth considering that President Madison is remembered today as the father of the Constitution, and not as the rascal who allowed the White House and the Capitol to be burned by a foreign army during a war so ineptly fought by our side. I imagine that had this occurred in any number of other countries, his moment of singular presidential humiliation would attach itself more largely to his name. We remain an optimistic people. Anthony S. Pitch has written a very good account of the British occupation and sacking of Washington, D.C. in his book "The Burning of Washington. The British Invasion of 1814." The author makes good use of contemporary sources and observations from American and British combatants as well as civilians. The background is sketched well enough to allow the reader to understand why the British stood at the mouth of the Potomac River ready to invade our capitol city. Personalities of American and British commanders as well as President Madison and especially Secretary of War John Armstrong - to whom can be attributed the immediate blame for Washington's unprepardness - are well summarized to give the reader a good feel for how individuals affected the events covered in the book. The story covers the Battle of Bladensburg, the march on and occupation of Washington, the burning of the public buildings (focusing on the Capitol and White House), as well as the British attempt to take Baltimore, which failed before the walls of Ft. McHenry. Francis Scott Key's penning of our national anthem is also covered, as well as the British retreat. The book ends with summaries of the Treaty of Ghent, which ended the war, as well as Jackson's incredibly lopsided victory over Gen. Packenham before New Orleans. All in all this is a good and interesting book. The author keeps the pace moving while giving enough detail to both satisfy curiosity as to why events are unfolding as they did as well as add the flavor and feel that can come from a judicious use of diary entries and contemporary accounts. I recommend this to any history buff who would like to know more about a now overlooked -- but still astonishing - part of American history.
Rating: 
Summary: Detailed yet vivid, exciting and easy to read
Review: If you have seen Mr. Pitch on PBS you might find it hard to believe he just as great in print as he is on television. The depth of his research and his ability to relate this story reflect his love of history. I particularly enjoyed his insights into the psychology of warfare. The defenders of Baltimore were ready to capitulate after the sack of Washington but because of a delay in attacking by the British they were able to regain thier resolve to resist. Timing is everthing. A great read, I could not put it down.
Rating: 
Summary: Among the most dramatic events in American history
Review: It took me 5 years to research and write this book because Isought out primary sources - letters, journals, diaries, newspapers -so that the reader would feel like an eyewitness to the epic events. I believe the sequence of dramatic events make this the most gripping story in American history. It opens with a graphic account of the country's worst mob riots in Baltimore, followed by the capture and burning of Washington, where pandemonium and terror were followed by flames so high that the glow in the sky was visible from 50 miles away. The story moves to the day and night bombardment by British ships of Fort McHenry in Baltimore, whose stoic defense inspired one witness, Francis Scott Key, to compose the words to the national anthem. And as if this were not enough drama, the action moves on to the signing of the peace treaty in Europe, AFTER which the epic battle of New Orleans was fought, with thousands of casualties unaware that peace had been signed because it took more than a month for news to cross the Atlantic. I hope readers will not think this is a dry academic book because it is so deeply researched. It is a popular read and the narrative moves with a fast momentum in countless sequences of suspense. History, for me, has never been a study of the dead and distant past. Rather, this book proves to me the living color and vibrancy of history, in which human nature never seems to change, even though circumstances might be different. In 1814 there were just as many personal fears, anxieties, loyalties, cowardice, bravery, chivalry, egotism and arrogance that are so much a part of our times. The back cover blurbs seem to bear me out: "Truly masterful. It's as good as historical recreation gets"- Gilbert Grosvenor, chairman, National Geographic Society. "Vivid and exciting. I would consider it must reading." - Austin Kiplinger, chairman, Kiplinger Washington Editors. "Difficult to put down" - Rex Scouten , former White House Curator. "Masterful. It reminded me of a 'Masterpiece Theater' series in the sweeping nature and authoritative tone of its story" - Dr. Donald Ritchie, U.S. Senate Historical Office. "As I read each page I could envision the scenes unfolding as if watching a movie" - Scott Sheads, ranger/historian, Fort McHenry. I welcome readers reviews and wish you all a good and satisfying read.
Rating: 
Summary: Full of detail but not of vision, breadth and personality.
Review: Mr. Pitch lets us know he did too much research. He moves too specifically through the daily grind of the events without overall vision, perspective and review. More maps, drawings and military sketches would energize a slow read.
Rating:
Summary: A breathtaking account of Washington's survival
Review: The "Burning of Washington" is a fast-paced and moving book that reads like a novel, yet is flawlessly researched and based totally on first-hand accounts and historic records. The author engages the reader's imagination to such an extent that it has the feel of a movie. From the opening paragraph the reader is immediately swept up into the chain of events not merely as a spectator, but as one of the cast. Such is Anthony Pitch's talent that one can hear the shots whistling past, feel the ground shake with the explosion of the fearsome, newly invented Congreve rockets, and experience the shock and horror of its citizenry as they are caught up in the catastrophe. What soon becomes apparent is how ill prepared the country was to defend itself and why the burning of Washington need never have happened. One is confounded at the number of hapless accidents which paved the way for calamity. The foibles of many in command seem almost comical had they not had such tragic consequences. At the same time one rejoices in the courage and bravery, along with the many small acts of kindness on both sides. Dolley Madison, ever gracious and calm, keeps her head while all about are losing theirs and sacrifices self interest for the national good. This is a tale that has been too long neglected, perhaps because of the abject humiliation experienced. But it is a tale that MUST be told and kept alive in the national consciousness, and no one tells it better than Mr. Pitch. His brilliant command of the English language allows him to weave together the wealth of factual details he has so carefully researched into a rich tapestry that grips the reader from start to finish. It definitely rates five stars.
Rating:
Summary: Extensively researched work.
Review: The author has done a superior job researching the subject and documenting the work. The author basically integrates paraphrased commentary from his research sources and offers few, if any, editorial comments. Don't expect a grand plot except that formed from the facts themselves.
Rating:
Summary: Good Read
Review: The author primarily focuses on the British 'occupation' and subsequent burning of Washington, DC during the War of 1812 but he also gives a good background on the events leading up to that point. Excellent research throughout. Any American history lover would enjoy this work. RECOMMENDED.
Rating:
Summary: A "must" read for any anyone interested in U.S. history
Review: This book grabs you from the 1st paragraph and holds your interest to the last page, hard to put down. Very well documented. I hope this is not Mr.Pitch's first and last book. He has a knack for making history come alive. This is a "five star" read.
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