From Publishers Weekly
Ten bestselling authors have contributed blurbs to Nevin's second novel (after the bestselling Dream West, 1983)?among them fellow historical novelists Gary Jennings, James Michener and John Jakes. Nevin incorporates traits of all three in his re-creation of the War of 1812: Jennings's intense detailing, Michener's sweep and Jakes's passion for America all surface here at times, though what results is less a glorious work of historical art than an insistently intriguing animated tableau. The narrative can be terribly talky, especially in the beginning. An early scene in the White House featuring President James Madison and a visiting General Andrew Jackson, who wants to take Canada by force from Britain, crams enough political, military and cultural information into dialogue between the two to fill a history lesson?no surprise, since Nevin writes history books for the Time-Life series. Yet, in this very scene, Jackson and Madison, modeled with care, come to some sort of virtual life. As war begins between Britain and the U.S., culminating in the writing of the "Star Spangled Banner" and the burning of Washington, D.C., Nevin, helping himself with particularly vigorous battle scenes, conveys a kind of grandeur. This is, in essence, a patriotic pageant, but it's one crammed with color and captivating characters, and a good bet to follow in Dream West's footsteps as a TV miniseries. $150,000 ad/ promo; author tour. Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
Spanning a young American nation from the northern frontier around New York to the site of the war's most celebrated battle in New Orleans, the causes and major military actions of the War of 1812 unfold in this fictional account. A respected historical novelist, Nevin (Dream West, 1984) excels at portraying battles in vivid detail and revealing political complexities in an engaging manner. Regrettably, this work degenerates into a historical soap opera as the author attempts to animate the action by concocting love lives for major players such as James and Dolly Madison, Andrew and Rachel Jackson, and Winfield Scott. Attention is drawn to this overly amorous prose by the rushed, theatrical delivery of reader Dick Hill. Skip this protracted version and opt for the abridged edition (also available from Brilliance).?Linda Bredengerd, Univ. of Pittsburgh Lib., Bradford, Pa.Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
Nevin's latest historical novel of early America, 1812, exhibits the best characteristics of the genre: it informs without oversimplifying the subject. Entertaining and very illuminating, Nevin subtly brings to life the War of 1812 and the most prominent personalities of the era: James and Dolley Madison, Winfield Scott, Sally McQuirk, Aaron Burr, Daniel Webster, and many more. Nevin provides an intricate account of Anglo-American relations at the time, with extensive details about trade, geography, and military matters. Military history is his forte; Nevin saves his most colorful writing for American skirmishes with the British. Nevin's previous novel, Dream West, became a prime-time miniseries, and in many ways 1812 seems to have been written with the small screen in mind. Nevin pulls no punches when it comes to personal intrigue and sex. There is plenty of salty talk between characters, and at times the dialogue smacks more of Jackie Collins than of Jane Austen. It doesn't detract from the book as a whole; 1812 is a substantive work. Ted Leventhal


From Kirkus Reviews
A star-spangled banner of a follow-up to the historian- author's Dream West (1984) brings to vivid life a turning-point in American history. In a resonant narrative limning the sectionalism and discontents that threatened the young republic barely three decades after the revolution that created it, Nevin focuses on three central figures: President James Madison (sustained in crucial ways by his beloved Dolley); General Andrew Jackson (gentled as well as cherished by his Rachel); and Winfield Scott (a precocious military talent whose strong opinions bring him into frequent conflict with his colleagues). When events draw a deeply divided America into war with England, the wispy chief executive shows himself to be a principled man of strong convictions as he battles not only British armed forces but also recalcitrant New Englanders (whose lucrative trade with the erstwhile mother country has been disrupted), and states' rights frontiersmen like Jackson who distrust Madison's vision of the federal union's future. With emotional assistance from Dolley, the President manages to keep the ship of state on an even keel during a series of early setbacks in the War of 1812; concurrently, Scott learns the close-combat lessons that will lead to later victories along the Canadian border, and the volatile Jackson raises an army of irregulars who, defying the odds, mount successful campaigns in southern woodlands against Indian bands backed by the British. Before the tide turns, however, vengeful redcoats sack Washington, D.C., and raze the White House, forcing Madison and his government to flee. Bloodied but unbowed, the president rallies the nation, and Jackson stages an epic defense of New Orleans against British invaders at the start of 1815. A war- weary England agrees to peace, allowing a now-united America to pursue its manifest destiny in the West. A brilliantly realized chronicle that gives a human scale to the author's panoramic canvas. A considerable achievement and one that transcends genre. ($150,000 ad/promo; author tour) -- Copyright ©1996, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.


Review
"1812 is splendidly researched and finely written--a fiery tale of our country's youth, of mighty passions, a half-for-gotten war, and incomparable men and women. David Nevin's readers are blessed" -Ralph Peters, author of Red Army

"A rich, robust historical novel of the kind we don't get often enough. Famous men and women spring vividly to life--action abounds--1812 is a great read" - John Jakes

"It was a perilous and pivotal time for the young and not-entirely-United States, but it has been the most unremembered time in American history. Until now. The faded old etchings of battle on land and sea, of statesmen, heroes, villains (and their ladyloves), are now, in David Nevin's 1812, brought to vivid life and color, tumultuous intensity, and you-are there immediacy." -Gary Jennings, New York Times bestselling author of Aztec

"Whatever we have gained by technology we have lost by ease. These people who lived in 1812 faced danger, adventure, and--no income tax! Read on." -Rita Mae Brown, author of Dolley



Review
"1812 is splendidly researched and finely written--a fiery tale of our country's youth, of mighty passions, a half-for-gotten war, and incomparable men and women. David Nevin's readers are blessed" -Ralph Peters, author of Red Army

"A rich, robust historical novel of the kind we don't get often enough. Famous men and women spring vividly to life--action abounds--1812 is a great read" - John Jakes

"It was a perilous and pivotal time for the young and not-entirely-United States, but it has been the most unremembered time in American history. Until now. The faded old etchings of battle on land and sea, of statesmen, heroes, villains (and their ladyloves), are now, in David Nevin's 1812, brought to vivid life and color, tumultuous intensity, and you-are there immediacy." -Gary Jennings, New York Times bestselling author of Aztec

"Whatever we have gained by technology we have lost by ease. These people who lived in 1812 faced danger, adventure, and--no income tax! Read on." -Rita Mae Brown, author of Dolley



Book Description
The war of 1812 would either make America a global power sweeping all the way to the Pacific--or break it into small pieces bound to mighty England. It was a second revolution of sorts to prove to the British that America had to be taken seriously. The principal actors in this drama were James and Dolley Madison, and Andrew and Rachel Jackson. Their courage and determination would shape America's destiny.



From the Back Cover
"1812 is splendidly researched and finely written--a fiery tale of our country's youth, of mighty passions, a half-for-gotten war, and incomparable men and women. David Nevin's readers are blessed" -Ralph Peters, author of Red Army

"A rich, robust historical novel of the kind we don't get often enough. Famous men and women spring vividly to life--action abounds--1812 is a great read" - John Jakes

The war of 1812 would either make America a global power sweeping all the way to the Pacific--or break it into small pieces bound to mighty England. It was a second revolution of sorts to prove to the British that America had to be taken seriously. The principal actors in this drama were James and Dolley Madison, and Andrew and Rachel Jackson. Their courage and determination would shape America's destiny.

"It was a perilous and pivotal time for the young and not-entirely-United States, but it has been the most unremembered time in American history. Until now. The faded old etchings of battle on land and sea, of statesmen, heroes, villains (and their ladyloves), are now, in David Nevin's 1812, brought to vivid life and color, tumultuous intensity, and you-are there immediacy." -Gary Jennings, New York Times bestselling author of Aztec

"Whatever we have gained by technology we have lost by ease. These people who lived in 1812 faced danger, adventure, and--no income tax! Read on." -Rita Mae Brown, author of Dolley

FROM THE PUBLISHER

It was a glorious war and a magnificent age...An age that would decide whether America would grow into a vast global power, sweeping all the way to the Pacific or be broken, its divided pieces remaining small adjuncts to a mighty England. A war that would claim the breadth of the continent for America or cede that vast expanse to England and Spain. Among the many men and women who would forge the future of our young nation's destiny were: James and Dolley Madison - Together they face the ultimate presidential decision: Should they take the nation into a war for which it isn't prepared? Andrew and Rachel Jackson - They speak for the West, for the frontier drive. Their enduring marriage gives Jackson the fortitude to dominate history in the battle that will determine our nation's future. Winfield Scott - The young soldier who takes us headlong into the battle that will define American Army professionalism for all time. Sally McQuirk - The daughter of a Washington publisher who is determined to cover the war as a journalist. In their lives and loves, their hopes and fears, we live the thirty months of the war that shaped American destiny.

FROM THE CRITICS

Library Journal

Spanning a young American nation from the northern frontier around New York to the site of the war's most celebrated battle in New Orleans, the causes and major military actions of the War of 1812 unfold in this fictional account. A respected historical novelist, Nevin (Dream West, 1984) excels at portraying battles in vivid detail and revealing political complexities in an engaging manner. Regrettably, this work degenerates into a historical soap opera as the author attempts to animate the action by concocting love lives for major players such as James and Dolly Madison, Andrew and Rachel Jackson, and Winfield Scott. Attention is drawn to this overly amorous prose by the rushed, theatrical delivery of reader Dick Hill. Skip this protracted version and opt for the abridged edition (also available from Brilliance).Linda Bredengerd, Univ. of Pittsburgh Lib., Bradford, Pa.

BookList - Ted Leventhal

Nevin's latest historical novel of early America, "1812", exhibits the best characteristics of the genre: it informs without oversimplifying the subject. Entertaining and very illuminating, Nevin subtly brings to life the War of 1812 and the most prominent personalities of the era: James and Dolley Madison, Winfield Scott, Sally McQuirk, Aaron Burr, Daniel Webster, and many more. Nevin provides an intricate account of Anglo-American relations at the time, with extensive details about trade, geography, and military matters. Military history is his forte; Nevin saves his most colorful writing for American skirmishes with the British. Nevin's previous novel, "Dream West", became a prime-time miniseries, and in many ways "1812" seems to have been written with the small screen in mind. Nevin pulls no punches when it comes to personal intrigue and sex. There is plenty of salty talk between characters, and at times the dialogue smacks more of Jackie Collins than of Jane Austen. It doesn't detract from the book as a whole; "1812" is a substantive work.

Kirkus Reviews

A star-spangled banner of a follow-up to the historian- author's Dream West (1984) brings to vivid life a turning-point in American history.

In a resonant narrative limning the sectionalism and discontents that threatened the young republic barely three decades after the revolution that created it, Nevin focuses on three central figures: President James Madison (sustained in crucial ways by his beloved Dolley); General Andrew Jackson (gentled as well as cherished by his Rachel); and Winfield Scott (a precocious military talent whose strong opinions bring him into frequent conflict with his colleagues). When events draw a deeply divided America into war with England, the wispy chief executive shows himself to be a principled man of strong convictions as he battles not only British armed forces but also recalcitrant New Englanders (whose lucrative trade with the erstwhile mother country has been disrupted), and states' rights frontiersmen like Jackson who distrust Madison's vision of the federal union's future. With emotional assistance from Dolley, the President manages to keep the ship of state on an even keel during a series of early setbacks in the War of 1812; concurrently, Scott learns the close-combat lessons that will lead to later victories along the Canadian border, and the volatile Jackson raises an army of irregulars who, defying the odds, mount successful campaigns in southern woodlands against Indian bands backed by the British. Before the tide turns, however, vengeful redcoats sack Washington, D.C., and raze the White House, forcing Madison and his government to flee. Bloodied but unbowed, the president rallies the nation, and Jackson stages an epic defense of New Orleans against British invaders at the start of 1815. A war- weary England agrees to peace, allowing a now-united America to pursue its manifest destiny in the West.

A brilliantly realized chronicle that gives a human scale to the author's panoramic canvas. A considerable achievement and one that transcends genre.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

Whatever we have gained by technology we have lost by ease. These people who lived in 1812 faced danger, adventure, and-no income tax! Read on.  — (Rita Mae Brown, author of Dolley)

It was a perilous and pivotal time for the young and not-entirely-United States, but it has been the most unremembered time in American History. Until now. The faded old etchings of battle on land and sea, of statesmen, heroes, villains (and their ladyloves), are now, in David Nevins 1812, brought to vivid life and color, tumultuous intensity and you-are-there immediacy.  — (Gary Jennings, New York Times best-selling author of Aztec)

1812 is splendidly researched and finely written-a fiery tale of our country's youth, of mighty passions, a half-forgotten war, and incomparable men and women. David Nevin's readers are blessed.  — (Ralph Peters, author of Red Army)

Splendid! The history and the dreams, the men and women who made and preserved us a nation. David Nevin is an author of power and scope. — James Michener