From School Library Journal

Gr 6 Up-An informative, thorough, and useful series entry. The first three chapters describe the political climate of the time and examine the weak peace agreement that marked the end of the American Revolution. The author notes that the controversy over the Canadian border and the issue of free trade were the primary reasons for the War of 1812. He also discusses daily life during this period and the sentiments of Americans-many were reluctant to enter another dispute with one of the most powerful military forces in the world, and Congress was clearly divided on the issue. The last four chapters cover the principal leaders, the major battles, and the turbulent peace process. While the book will primarily be utilized for school assignments, the inclusion of personal narratives makes for lively reading. Through them, readers experience the thoughts, fears, and triumphs of the people involved. The format and black-and-white illustrations are not as attractive as those in the ``America's Wars'' series (Lucent); however, Greenblatt's text is comprehensive and more accessible to students.-Ann M. Burlingame, North Regional Library, Raleigh, NC

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