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Patriotic Fire: Andrew Jackson and Jean Laffite at the Battle of New Orleans
From the author of best-selling works of history and fiction, a fast-paced, enthralling retelling of one of the greatest battles fought on the North American continent, and of the two men who—against all expectations and odds—joined forces to repel the British invasion of New Orleans in December 1814.
It has all the ingredients of a high-flying adventure story. Unbeknownst to the combatants, the War of l812 has ended, but Andrew Jackson, a brave, charismatic American general—sick with dysentery and commanding a beleaguered garrison—leads a desperate struggle to hold on to the city of New Orleans and to thwart the army that defeated Napoleon. Helping him is a devilish French pirate, Jean Laffite, who rebuffs a substantial bribe from the British and together with his erstwhile enemy saves the city from invasion . . . much to the grateful chagrin of New Orleanians shocked to find themselves on the same side as the brazen buccaneer. Winston Groom brings his considerable storytelling gifts to the re-creation of this remarkable battle and to the portrayal of its main players. Against the richly evocative backdrop of French New Orleans, he illuminates Jackson’s brilliant strategy and tactics, as well as the antics and cutthroat fighting prowess of Laffite and his men.
Patriotic Fire brings this extraordinary military achievement vividly to life.
It has all the ingredients of a high-flying adventure story. Unbeknownst to the combatants, the War of l812 has ended, but Andrew Jackson, a brave, charismatic American general—sick with dysentery and commanding a beleaguered garrison—leads a desperate struggle to hold on to the city of New Orleans and to thwart the army that defeated Napoleon. Helping him is a devilish French pirate, Jean Laffite, who rebuffs a substantial bribe from the British and together with his erstwhile enemy saves the city from invasion . . . much to the grateful chagrin of New Orleanians shocked to find themselves on the same side as the brazen buccaneer. Winston Groom brings his considerable storytelling gifts to the re-creation of this remarkable battle and to the portrayal of its main players. Against the richly evocative backdrop of French New Orleans, he illuminates Jackson’s brilliant strategy and tactics, as well as the antics and cutthroat fighting prowess of Laffite and his men.
Patriotic Fire brings this extraordinary military achievement vividly to life.
292 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
About the author
Winston Groom
38 books576 followersWinston Francis Groom Jr. was an American novelist and non-fiction writer, best known for his book Forrest Gump, which was adapted into a film in 1994. Groom was born in Washington, D.C., but grew up in Mobile, Alabama where he attended University Military School (now known as UMS-Wright Preparatory School). He attended the University of Alabama, where he was a member of Delta Tau Delta and the Army ROTC, and graduated in 1965. He served in the Army from 1965 to 1969, including a tour in Vietnam. Groom devoted his time to writing history books about American wars. More recently he had lived in Point Clear, Alabama, and Long Island, New York.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
September 6, 2019
Groom makes history fun. This time, it is the War of 1812 and the battle of New Orleans. Prior to this my entire understanding of the battle came from the Jonny Horton Song of the same name…but the song took two minutes and the actual battle of New Orleans was a campaign that lasted well over a month.
The reading is light, interesting, and fun. There were several heroes included on the pages of this book but none greater than Andrew Jackson. Old Hickory was no beta male. Groom covers the early life of Jackson and why he hated the English, his proclivity for dueling, heroic conduct during the Indian Wars with the Creeks and his brilliant leadership during the battle for New Orleans.
I appreciate Groom’s approach toward history. He’s able to tell the story without expressing some feigned moral outrage over practices and customs that were acceptable at the time. Jackson was a slaveholder, Indian fighter, and capable of great acts of magnanimity. He once spared the life of an Indian boy that the squaws advised him to kill because his family was wiped out and there was no one to take care of him. Jackson wouldn’t hear of it and raised him as his own. He once allowed the murderous Creek renegade William Weatherford to walk out of his camp alive after Weatherford bravely walked into his camp to surrender and to beg for the lives of the woman and children. Jackson was so touched he let the chief go. (Note* after this, the chief took to farming with slaves). He also treated the free blacks as equals during the battle of New Orleans. There is plenty here to deter a millennial from tearing down a statue of him. True, he should have pardoned the six militiamen he ordered shot after the battle because of a discrepancy of their enlistment terms but overall, he was the right man for the job.
The story is bizarre. It seems that the motive behind the British invasion was plunder. The reader is introduced to a PC term for pirate: Privateer. I thought the white man didn’t fight for plunder. He sure did. They just set up courts to legalize the stealing. Think of it as a violent form of a class action lawsuit today. Lafitte and his privateers were central to the victory. Without Lafitte and his brother Dominique and all the privateers, the victory would have been in doubt. In fact the pages of this book describe how Jackson melded a diverse group – as diverse as ever assembled - together to win a victory. Up to this time, the British were on a winning streak. They were undefeated in the land battles of the War of 1812 and they had just defeated Napoleon on the continent of Europe. They thought that all they had to do was beat their drums and play the bagpipes and the Americans would run. Why not? They did so in Washington and practically everywhere else. Ahh, but this was Andrew Jackson. He was an amateur but he had a great plan and he inspired the thousands who followed him to victory. Read on!
Groom has written another winner. 4 stars!
The reading is light, interesting, and fun. There were several heroes included on the pages of this book but none greater than Andrew Jackson. Old Hickory was no beta male. Groom covers the early life of Jackson and why he hated the English, his proclivity for dueling, heroic conduct during the Indian Wars with the Creeks and his brilliant leadership during the battle for New Orleans.
I appreciate Groom’s approach toward history. He’s able to tell the story without expressing some feigned moral outrage over practices and customs that were acceptable at the time. Jackson was a slaveholder, Indian fighter, and capable of great acts of magnanimity. He once spared the life of an Indian boy that the squaws advised him to kill because his family was wiped out and there was no one to take care of him. Jackson wouldn’t hear of it and raised him as his own. He once allowed the murderous Creek renegade William Weatherford to walk out of his camp alive after Weatherford bravely walked into his camp to surrender and to beg for the lives of the woman and children. Jackson was so touched he let the chief go. (Note* after this, the chief took to farming with slaves). He also treated the free blacks as equals during the battle of New Orleans. There is plenty here to deter a millennial from tearing down a statue of him. True, he should have pardoned the six militiamen he ordered shot after the battle because of a discrepancy of their enlistment terms but overall, he was the right man for the job.
The story is bizarre. It seems that the motive behind the British invasion was plunder. The reader is introduced to a PC term for pirate: Privateer. I thought the white man didn’t fight for plunder. He sure did. They just set up courts to legalize the stealing. Think of it as a violent form of a class action lawsuit today. Lafitte and his privateers were central to the victory. Without Lafitte and his brother Dominique and all the privateers, the victory would have been in doubt. In fact the pages of this book describe how Jackson melded a diverse group – as diverse as ever assembled - together to win a victory. Up to this time, the British were on a winning streak. They were undefeated in the land battles of the War of 1812 and they had just defeated Napoleon on the continent of Europe. They thought that all they had to do was beat their drums and play the bagpipes and the Americans would run. Why not? They did so in Washington and practically everywhere else. Ahh, but this was Andrew Jackson. He was an amateur but he had a great plan and he inspired the thousands who followed him to victory. Read on!
Groom has written another winner. 4 stars!
August 12, 2013
I'm afraid that prior to this book, my knowledge of the War of 1812 was largely limited to three things: 1) The Americans defeated the British. 2) The British burned Washington. 3) The Battle of New Orleans was fought after the war ended and became a smash hit song for Johnny Horton. Winston Groom's Patriotic Fire: Andrew Jackson and Jean Laffite at the Battle of New Orleans provides an excellent, readable antidote to my ignorance through an engaging examination of how the battle transpired, why it was so important, and the personalities behind it.
The first half of the volume gives a breezy overview of the War of 1812 and capsule biographies of hard-nosed territorial lawyer Andrew Jackson and roguish privateer Jean Lafitte. The war was not going well for the Americans, militarily or economically, to the point that New England states were threatening secession. The British brought a militarily stronger force to take New Orleans, which would have divided the Louisiana Purchase from the rest of the young American nation and given the British a new colonial toehold. While the Treaty of Ghent technically ended the War of 1812 on the eve of the Battle of New Orleans, a British victory along the Gulf Coast would have continued the military conflict--most likely disastrously for the US.
Into this scenario came two men: Andrew Jackson and Jean Lafitte. (NB: Groom uses the French "Laffite" rather than the Anglicized "Lafitte" that is more commonly seen in Louisiana.) The book examines how each man's contribution was vital to the victory of an untrained, inexperienced, and underequipped ragtag force of American volunteers and militia against the most powerful European army of the day, fresh from victory against Napoleon. Jackson used backwoods experience, hatred of the British, tireless work, and military knowledge to establish a defensible position suited to his troops.
Groom makes a convincing case that Lafitte's contributions were essential to Jackson's victory, and that Lafitte was poorly treated after the battle. Lafitte and his Baratarian privateers brought vital munitions, gunnery skills, and knowledge of the terrain, even though he had little reason to side with the Americans. In fact, he was offered substantial incentive (including funds of about 2 million in today's dollars!) to take the British side, yet he chose the Americans who actively prosecuted him for privateering and seized his goods instead! Also important were British arrogance and inability to adapt to warfare as it was carried out in the New World, which Groom examines in passing.
Patriotic Fire is written as history for non-historians, with few citations. Groom occasionally chooses narrative over accuracy, relaying other historians' conclusion with little examination of the dissenting viewpoints. Though he clearly identifies these sections, this makes his text seem less authoritative. I found one glaring error; Thomas ap Catesby Jones did not command the CSS Virginia (incorrectly referred to as the USS Merrimac in the text) in the Civil War, as he died in 1858; Catesby ap Roger Jones assumed command of the ironclad during the battle with the USS Monitor. That said, the flow of the book is excellent; it is well-written, easy to understand, and provided a clear recounting of its subject matter.
Patriotic Fire is an interesting, enlightening look at events that are often treated as a historical footnote, despite being pivotal to the history of America.
The first half of the volume gives a breezy overview of the War of 1812 and capsule biographies of hard-nosed territorial lawyer Andrew Jackson and roguish privateer Jean Lafitte. The war was not going well for the Americans, militarily or economically, to the point that New England states were threatening secession. The British brought a militarily stronger force to take New Orleans, which would have divided the Louisiana Purchase from the rest of the young American nation and given the British a new colonial toehold. While the Treaty of Ghent technically ended the War of 1812 on the eve of the Battle of New Orleans, a British victory along the Gulf Coast would have continued the military conflict--most likely disastrously for the US.
Into this scenario came two men: Andrew Jackson and Jean Lafitte. (NB: Groom uses the French "Laffite" rather than the Anglicized "Lafitte" that is more commonly seen in Louisiana.) The book examines how each man's contribution was vital to the victory of an untrained, inexperienced, and underequipped ragtag force of American volunteers and militia against the most powerful European army of the day, fresh from victory against Napoleon. Jackson used backwoods experience, hatred of the British, tireless work, and military knowledge to establish a defensible position suited to his troops.
Groom makes a convincing case that Lafitte's contributions were essential to Jackson's victory, and that Lafitte was poorly treated after the battle. Lafitte and his Baratarian privateers brought vital munitions, gunnery skills, and knowledge of the terrain, even though he had little reason to side with the Americans. In fact, he was offered substantial incentive (including funds of about 2 million in today's dollars!) to take the British side, yet he chose the Americans who actively prosecuted him for privateering and seized his goods instead! Also important were British arrogance and inability to adapt to warfare as it was carried out in the New World, which Groom examines in passing.
Patriotic Fire is written as history for non-historians, with few citations. Groom occasionally chooses narrative over accuracy, relaying other historians' conclusion with little examination of the dissenting viewpoints. Though he clearly identifies these sections, this makes his text seem less authoritative. I found one glaring error; Thomas ap Catesby Jones did not command the CSS Virginia (incorrectly referred to as the USS Merrimac in the text) in the Civil War, as he died in 1858; Catesby ap Roger Jones assumed command of the ironclad during the battle with the USS Monitor. That said, the flow of the book is excellent; it is well-written, easy to understand, and provided a clear recounting of its subject matter.
Patriotic Fire is an interesting, enlightening look at events that are often treated as a historical footnote, despite being pivotal to the history of America.
December 10, 2013
One of the best books I have ever read. A book I would of never picked up myself but a co-worker knew of my love for history and recommended it to me.
May 16, 2018
I've always been interested in American History, and pretty much fell in love with New Orleans when I went there a few years ago. So, at the intersection of those two things is this book. I knew the Battle of New Orleans was a major point of the so-called War of 1812, but, aside from the fact it was fought after the war was technically over, I didn't know a lot about it.
This battle turns out to be another one of those real-life underdog stories where, on paper, the Americans had no chance. The British had a huge, well-trained, and well-equipped army. The Americans had pirates, volunteers, freed slaves, and a notable collection of local characters. A few twists of fate led to the British loss, much of it self-inflicted by the arrogance of the army that had just beaten Napoleon, and a few major oversights.
Credit where it's due: much as I find the man over-all repulsive, Andrew Jackson's leadership was a major part of the American victory. The author seems to be very much a Jackson fan, minimizing, among other things, the Trail of Tears Jackson forced into existence. The author also gets various historical and cultural facts wrong (the Creek Nation did NOT use teepees, that was a Great Plains convention).
It's a good read, and I recommend it to people interested in early American History, New Orleans, or military history. But, based on my own knowledge and the comments in other reviews, I'm not sure how much I'd rely on all of its accuracy. He also repeats himself a lot.
This battle turns out to be another one of those real-life underdog stories where, on paper, the Americans had no chance. The British had a huge, well-trained, and well-equipped army. The Americans had pirates, volunteers, freed slaves, and a notable collection of local characters. A few twists of fate led to the British loss, much of it self-inflicted by the arrogance of the army that had just beaten Napoleon, and a few major oversights.
Credit where it's due: much as I find the man over-all repulsive, Andrew Jackson's leadership was a major part of the American victory. The author seems to be very much a Jackson fan, minimizing, among other things, the Trail of Tears Jackson forced into existence. The author also gets various historical and cultural facts wrong (the Creek Nation did NOT use teepees, that was a Great Plains convention).
It's a good read, and I recommend it to people interested in early American History, New Orleans, or military history. But, based on my own knowledge and the comments in other reviews, I'm not sure how much I'd rely on all of its accuracy. He also repeats himself a lot.
July 3, 2008
July 3, 2008
I just completed reading this book, after having read Andrew Jackson, Live and Times by Brands. I saw Mr. Groom on a History Channel piece on Andrew Jackson, along with Dr. Brands and other Jackson and time period historians and so my wife surprised me by checking this book out of the Modesto library for me to read.
This was a very easy and pleasant read about the War of 1812 and specifically about the Battle of New Orleans. Mr. Groom is a very good story teller and I believe the items focused upon before Jackson arrived in New Orleans really helped build a nice foundation for the story of the battle. Often when reading about military engagements a writer puts in too much information and uses terms that aren't very clear to those outside the military or aren't military historians. Mr. Groom did a fantastic job in keeping things simple, but with ample amount of explaination to ensure that the reader understood what was happening. And his writing style paints a good picture of the events to the point where one can almost find themselve in the midst of the events taking place. I also appreciated the way in which Mr. Groom wrapped up the book by giving the reader information on what happened to the key players on both sides of this famous battle. It was nice to learn that many who survived went on to have full lives and other adventures.
Great Book!!
I just completed reading this book, after having read Andrew Jackson, Live and Times by Brands. I saw Mr. Groom on a History Channel piece on Andrew Jackson, along with Dr. Brands and other Jackson and time period historians and so my wife surprised me by checking this book out of the Modesto library for me to read.
This was a very easy and pleasant read about the War of 1812 and specifically about the Battle of New Orleans. Mr. Groom is a very good story teller and I believe the items focused upon before Jackson arrived in New Orleans really helped build a nice foundation for the story of the battle. Often when reading about military engagements a writer puts in too much information and uses terms that aren't very clear to those outside the military or aren't military historians. Mr. Groom did a fantastic job in keeping things simple, but with ample amount of explaination to ensure that the reader understood what was happening. And his writing style paints a good picture of the events to the point where one can almost find themselve in the midst of the events taking place. I also appreciated the way in which Mr. Groom wrapped up the book by giving the reader information on what happened to the key players on both sides of this famous battle. It was nice to learn that many who survived went on to have full lives and other adventures.
Great Book!!
March 4, 2016
Definitely a fun read. Like most of Winston Groom's historical works, it's not aimed at historians or buffs of the period or war in question but at the general reading public and on that level it works very well. Certainly Andrew Jackson was not only the man of the hour but probably the best possible man for the occasion, with a deep seated hatred for the Britsh and remarkable determination. But Jean Laffite seems to have been a far more interesting personality and surprisingly devoted to his new nation, especially so given that the government of Lousianna was spending a lot of time and energy trying to prosecute him just prior to the battle. Not to mention the Britsh commander spent a lot of time and energy to recruit him to their side with a very lucrative offer. Andrew and Jean made a very odd couple indeed and it took some time to convince General Jackson could be trusted or had anything to offer. But the book makes it pretty clear it probably would not have gone our way without Monsieur Laffite.
Interestingly enough, Winston Groom has strong emotional ties to the battle as one of his ancestors figured prominently in the outcome. His feelings make this a very personal work for him.
Interestingly enough, Winston Groom has strong emotional ties to the battle as one of his ancestors figured prominently in the outcome. His feelings make this a very personal work for him.
June 10, 2012
I both loved and hated this book. It has some of the same flaws as Groom's other non-fiction books that I have read: a general history written for a non-scholarly audience, he eschews citations and includes too many fluffy footnotes. It also mostly shows Groom's skill as an author.
What hinders this book more than Groom's usual work are many instances of repetition (some nearly verbatim) and a number of mistakes. Groom admits many details of the battle are contradicted by different sources and perhaps the topic was too murky to be handled by a non-scholar. But the first 50 pages or so of the book are a shoddy overview of the rest of the War of 1812 and there are some flat out errors like claiming that Thomas ap Catesby Jones (Lake Borgne gunboat commander, 1814) went on to command the CSS Virginia in the Civil War in 1862 (actually that was Catesby ap Roger Jones). That's the kind of error that makes me concerned about what other mistakes were made I didn't notice.
What hinders this book more than Groom's usual work are many instances of repetition (some nearly verbatim) and a number of mistakes. Groom admits many details of the battle are contradicted by different sources and perhaps the topic was too murky to be handled by a non-scholar. But the first 50 pages or so of the book are a shoddy overview of the rest of the War of 1812 and there are some flat out errors like claiming that Thomas ap Catesby Jones (Lake Borgne gunboat commander, 1814) went on to command the CSS Virginia in the Civil War in 1862 (actually that was Catesby ap Roger Jones). That's the kind of error that makes me concerned about what other mistakes were made I didn't notice.
December 4, 2012
Great perspective on the War of 1812 by Winston Groom, who wrote "Forrest Gump", this time venturing into history, not fiction, with the tale of Andrew Jackson's victory at the Battle of New Orleans over the British, with a huge amount of help from Jean Laffite and his barrier island "pirates", who though loyal to no laws, came through for the Americans. The War of 1812 has been forgotten, but shouldn't. It preserved two countries, (Canada and the U.S.) from the imperial designs of others, (the U.S. and Britain) and had an interesting cast of Indians, admirals and generals for the U.S. who punched above their weight, (Decatur and Jackson) and many who were failures. Great overview of the conflict by Groom before he turns to the Battle of New Orleans, a botched affair by the British that was defended by the indomitable Indian fighter, Andrew Jackson. Very readable.
September 7, 2010
I took an unseemly pleasure in reading about those arrogant Redcoat invaders being cut down as they marched across the swampy ground south of New Orleans by a bunch of rag tag militia, some regular Army, and pirates/privateers under Jean Lafitte. Cliches have to have some basis in fact, I suppose. A workmanlike history of a battle that took place after the conclusion of the War of 1812, Groom hits the high points and keeps things moving in this history for general audiences.
April 14, 2017
I loved seeing a different side of Andrew Jackson and understanding more about the southern end of the War of 1812 and how it fit within the larger war. Good read.
June 18, 2014
Most of the scholarship on Andrew Jackson concentrates on his political life, so it's a great treat to dive into any book that focuses entirely on a pre-presidential Jackson, specifically his generalship during the War of 1812. For those who, like me, can't ever seem to get enough of Andrew Jackson, this is a great book that fits neatly on the shelf next to such titles as Robert V. Remini's exhaustive biography and Jon Meacham's American Lion (a single volume account of Jackson's White House years).
Patriotic Fire is vivid and mostly riveting account of a turning point in early Americana, both for Andrew Jackson and for the country itself. Winston Groom, perhaps best known as the author of Forrest Gump, combines his talents as a novelist and those of a researcher to give us an engaging narrative that takes us to New Orleans, circa 1814, a world filled with pirates, privateers, Creole aristocrats, native-Americans, disgruntled militiamen and other outcasts of society. It is these folk who Andrew Jackson whipped into a militia that beat the British at the Battle of New Orelans, a devastating battle that took place after peace had already been declared (news traveled slow in those days; nobody knew a treaty had been signed for almost two months).
Although an engaging account of the Battle of New Orleans, a caveat should be issued less anyone is fooled by the subtitle of the book. "Andrew Jackson and Jean Laffite at the Battle of New Orleans" is a misleading description of Winstom Groom's historical musings: this book is definitely about Andrew Jackson and most certainly about the Battle of New Orleans, but not much is said about Jean Laffite. Indeed, once the battle starts, Laffite disappears entirely from the narrative.
Laffite does play a central role in the first part of it and Groom adeptly combs through the various accounts of Laffite's life to give us a probable picture of the man. Laffite was a privateer (or pirate, depending on who you talk to) who chose to ally himself with Jackson and provided Jackson's army with munitions, men and knowledge of the Louisiana frontier. That Jackson agreed to trust a known criminal makes for a fascinating relationship that does not get properly explored, although it's likely that Mr. Groom was unable to explore it, as history may have left such things unrecorded. Still, Mr. Groom does return to M. Laffite in the last chapter and puts forth a strong argument for the case that Jean Laffite's loyalty to America was instrumental to Jackson's victory.
Mr. Groom's a smart historical writer who tries to keep the narrative perpetually focused on the humanity of the past, rather then simply list dates and events. No doubt this is the novelist in him and Patriotic Fire makes a good case for the argument that the best people to write about history are fiction writers. Mr. Groom clearly understands how to craft a historical novel that makes us care about both our central characters and the minor figures whose only claim to fame is that they left a diary for us to read. Mr. Groom also is clear to report when his facts are in dispute, or why he chose one particular source over another - a sure sign of a history writer who both respects the reader and those historians who came before him.
Patriotic Fire is vivid and mostly riveting account of a turning point in early Americana, both for Andrew Jackson and for the country itself. Winston Groom, perhaps best known as the author of Forrest Gump, combines his talents as a novelist and those of a researcher to give us an engaging narrative that takes us to New Orleans, circa 1814, a world filled with pirates, privateers, Creole aristocrats, native-Americans, disgruntled militiamen and other outcasts of society. It is these folk who Andrew Jackson whipped into a militia that beat the British at the Battle of New Orelans, a devastating battle that took place after peace had already been declared (news traveled slow in those days; nobody knew a treaty had been signed for almost two months).
Although an engaging account of the Battle of New Orleans, a caveat should be issued less anyone is fooled by the subtitle of the book. "Andrew Jackson and Jean Laffite at the Battle of New Orleans" is a misleading description of Winstom Groom's historical musings: this book is definitely about Andrew Jackson and most certainly about the Battle of New Orleans, but not much is said about Jean Laffite. Indeed, once the battle starts, Laffite disappears entirely from the narrative.
Laffite does play a central role in the first part of it and Groom adeptly combs through the various accounts of Laffite's life to give us a probable picture of the man. Laffite was a privateer (or pirate, depending on who you talk to) who chose to ally himself with Jackson and provided Jackson's army with munitions, men and knowledge of the Louisiana frontier. That Jackson agreed to trust a known criminal makes for a fascinating relationship that does not get properly explored, although it's likely that Mr. Groom was unable to explore it, as history may have left such things unrecorded. Still, Mr. Groom does return to M. Laffite in the last chapter and puts forth a strong argument for the case that Jean Laffite's loyalty to America was instrumental to Jackson's victory.
Mr. Groom's a smart historical writer who tries to keep the narrative perpetually focused on the humanity of the past, rather then simply list dates and events. No doubt this is the novelist in him and Patriotic Fire makes a good case for the argument that the best people to write about history are fiction writers. Mr. Groom clearly understands how to craft a historical novel that makes us care about both our central characters and the minor figures whose only claim to fame is that they left a diary for us to read. Mr. Groom also is clear to report when his facts are in dispute, or why he chose one particular source over another - a sure sign of a history writer who both respects the reader and those historians who came before him.
February 1, 2016
An interesting, well-written history of the Battle of New Orleans. Groom shows how Andrew Jackson and a polyglot army of Kentucky-Tennessee riflemen, Creoles, Indians, and blacks managed to win a lopsided victory against a superior British force. The British had inherited a pretty bad strategic situation when they first invaded the area and, Groom argues, only made it worse.
A big part of Groom’s story is the role played by Jean Lafitte and his band of pirates.Laffite’s contribution, Groom writes was “substantial, if not crucial.” Groom’s book is great for anybody regardless of their background knowledge of the battle or the war.
Groom provides the right amount of background on Jackson, Laffite, and the wider war. He clearly describes the chain of events that brought the two armies to New Orleans. On paper, the British should have won due to superior resources and better troops, but they were unable to adapt to the unconventional fighting style of their foes, and suffered from all sorts of tiny mishaps, like inexplicably leaving behind their scaling ladders during their assault on the rampart.
The book is not without some problems. In one case Groom claims that Lt. Thomas Jones would command the CSS Virginia during the Civil War, even though it was actually Jones’ nephew. The introduction is nothing but a boring, rambling twelve-page piece about Groom’s great-great-great-grandfather, whose status as a veteran of the battle is the only noteworthy and relevant thing about him. And the writing can get a little breezy at times : “Andrew Jackson’s brand of warfare . . . was certainly no picnic for the Indians” or Aaron Burr planning to take over the Mississippi Valley and Mexico “with himself as king, emperor, president, or what have you,” or Haitian voodoo rituals turning people into “zombies” or British troops at Fort Bowyer being “the real deal” or “I’m not proud that my ancestors owned slaves, but neither do I subscribe to the historic fallacy of assigning present-day ethics or morals to such a widely accepted practice by people who lived nearly two hundred years ago.” One footnote about Tennessee asserts that in 1787 it was “technically still a part of North Carolina---but that’s another story.” And at one point Groom writes that Jackson’s army “forever crushed England’s notion of reclaiming her dominant presence on American soil.” Elsewhere Groom writes that Cochrane’s orders “were to invade, conquer, and secure Louisiana and the Mississippi Valley for the British crown.” Britain’s campaigns of 1814-1815 were not attempts to reconquer North America; all the British wanted was to end the war with a British victory, and the British government had little hope that Pakenham could temporarily occupy more than New Orleans even if he won. Groom also claims that “the outcome reverberated around the globe.” He also refers to Van Rensselaer’s Canadian campaign as “Operation Niagara.” And the exclamation points are irritating.
Still, a great all-around history of the battle, with good maps, good writing and an engaging story.
A big part of Groom’s story is the role played by Jean Lafitte and his band of pirates.Laffite’s contribution, Groom writes was “substantial, if not crucial.” Groom’s book is great for anybody regardless of their background knowledge of the battle or the war.
Groom provides the right amount of background on Jackson, Laffite, and the wider war. He clearly describes the chain of events that brought the two armies to New Orleans. On paper, the British should have won due to superior resources and better troops, but they were unable to adapt to the unconventional fighting style of their foes, and suffered from all sorts of tiny mishaps, like inexplicably leaving behind their scaling ladders during their assault on the rampart.
The book is not without some problems. In one case Groom claims that Lt. Thomas Jones would command the CSS Virginia during the Civil War, even though it was actually Jones’ nephew. The introduction is nothing but a boring, rambling twelve-page piece about Groom’s great-great-great-grandfather, whose status as a veteran of the battle is the only noteworthy and relevant thing about him. And the writing can get a little breezy at times : “Andrew Jackson’s brand of warfare . . . was certainly no picnic for the Indians” or Aaron Burr planning to take over the Mississippi Valley and Mexico “with himself as king, emperor, president, or what have you,” or Haitian voodoo rituals turning people into “zombies” or British troops at Fort Bowyer being “the real deal” or “I’m not proud that my ancestors owned slaves, but neither do I subscribe to the historic fallacy of assigning present-day ethics or morals to such a widely accepted practice by people who lived nearly two hundred years ago.” One footnote about Tennessee asserts that in 1787 it was “technically still a part of North Carolina---but that’s another story.” And at one point Groom writes that Jackson’s army “forever crushed England’s notion of reclaiming her dominant presence on American soil.” Elsewhere Groom writes that Cochrane’s orders “were to invade, conquer, and secure Louisiana and the Mississippi Valley for the British crown.” Britain’s campaigns of 1814-1815 were not attempts to reconquer North America; all the British wanted was to end the war with a British victory, and the British government had little hope that Pakenham could temporarily occupy more than New Orleans even if he won. Groom also claims that “the outcome reverberated around the globe.” He also refers to Van Rensselaer’s Canadian campaign as “Operation Niagara.” And the exclamation points are irritating.
Still, a great all-around history of the battle, with good maps, good writing and an engaging story.
May 12, 2013
The phrase “What Hath God Wrought” was the first message sent long distance over the telegraph. This was in some ways the beginning of the communications age. This book covers the period from 1815 to 1848. Many viewed the War of 1812 as the second American Revolution. In the aftermath of that war the American nation began to grow quickly. By the end of the period another war would be fought. This one with Mexico. That war would complete what we today call the Continental United States.
This period is rich in American history. The nation grew in size, but also in many other areas. Religion flourished in many new and differing ways. An American culture began to grow in the areas of science, literature, and the arts. The tasks of governing a Republic of vast proportions was a novel concept and continued to perplex many leaders. This period saw the end of the Federalist party with the government becoming a one party system with the Republican party in control during the Monroe years. After that the Republican party split itself in two as the followers of Andrew Jackson created the Democrat party and the opponents of Jackson creating the Whig party. Some of the greatest orators and politicians of 19th century America lived and served in this time. It was the period of Jackson, Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, John Calhoun, and John Quincy Adams. Towards the end of the period new leaders like Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas began to rise.
Slavery was the elephant in the room that could no longer be ignored. As abolitionist societies began to grow in the North the Southern planter class become more and more adamant about protecting slavery. This conflict would continue to pull at the fabric of the nation until, a dozen years after the final period of this book, it would tear the nation in two.
These are only a few of the areas covered by Daniel Walker Howe in this outstanding volume in the Oxford History of the United States. Even a seasoned reader of history is bound to discover some new gems in these pages. Howe’s prose is never wooded and the subject is made very accessible. With magnificent books like these it is a shame that so few Americans read history. This is a great place to begin the study of a crucial time in our nation’s history.
This period is rich in American history. The nation grew in size, but also in many other areas. Religion flourished in many new and differing ways. An American culture began to grow in the areas of science, literature, and the arts. The tasks of governing a Republic of vast proportions was a novel concept and continued to perplex many leaders. This period saw the end of the Federalist party with the government becoming a one party system with the Republican party in control during the Monroe years. After that the Republican party split itself in two as the followers of Andrew Jackson created the Democrat party and the opponents of Jackson creating the Whig party. Some of the greatest orators and politicians of 19th century America lived and served in this time. It was the period of Jackson, Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, John Calhoun, and John Quincy Adams. Towards the end of the period new leaders like Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas began to rise.
Slavery was the elephant in the room that could no longer be ignored. As abolitionist societies began to grow in the North the Southern planter class become more and more adamant about protecting slavery. This conflict would continue to pull at the fabric of the nation until, a dozen years after the final period of this book, it would tear the nation in two.
These are only a few of the areas covered by Daniel Walker Howe in this outstanding volume in the Oxford History of the United States. Even a seasoned reader of history is bound to discover some new gems in these pages. Howe’s prose is never wooded and the subject is made very accessible. With magnificent books like these it is a shame that so few Americans read history. This is a great place to begin the study of a crucial time in our nation’s history.
March 15, 2010
I love history and this book is history at its best. Winston Groom has a knack for storytelling and this story is a terrific one. Who would believe that our country's freedom would have depended on a fiery tempered, part-time soldier and a Baratarian pirate! Together with a mixed band of Tennessee and Kentucky volunteers, New Orleans town folk poorly armed and totally untrained, they not only held off the highly trained and battle hardened British Army, fresh from defeating Napoleon, they sent them running, killing three of their generals and thwarting an Admiral. Not bad for a country still trying to define itself!
I could go on and on but instead I'll just say that everyone should read this rather short but thoroughly enjoyable book.
I could go on and on but instead I'll just say that everyone should read this rather short but thoroughly enjoyable book.
January 25, 2018
What an incredible history of Andrew Jackson and Jean Laffite at the Battle of New Orleans. I have been to NOLA but I am ready to go back and begin to understand the wonderful history that is present. Very enjoyable to read and Groom gives us a view of what was happening and why. Also, I had never quite understood this portion of history even though I have read one Andrew Jackson biography. I will re-read one day.
December 4, 2019
Andrew Jackson is a fairly divisive figure so I was impressed with Groom's ability to approach this subject with a fair amount of balance and clarity. Not pretending that Jackson wasn't a brute, Groom also depicts the redeeming aspects of Jackson. Simultaneously, he doesn't demonize the British, as American writers love to particularly when writing about the War of 1812. Probably the best book on the Battle of New Orleans that will exist for some time to come.
March 3, 2019
Well written and informative. After reading I have come to realize that this skirmish was all a big rouse by my friends in the south to acquire the Canada's because of the deep jealousy and resentment of having the more picturesque and interesting side of the Niagara Falls! I am to petition my government for a concrete wall so pictures can be stopped from crossing the border!
January 14, 2018
Winston Groom is an excellent writer. Brought the Battle of New Orleans to life without bogging down reader with a ton of detail. Very engaging and memorable read. I came to appreciate General Jackson’s and Jean Laffite’s abilities as military leaders.
October 12, 2016
Grooms easy flowing style makes for relaxed reading. He manages to take the dry pandantic taste out of the historic narrative.
May 7, 2017
It was a well written book, but way too many battle details for me. It was a book club book and I was determined to finish it and I did that!
March 18, 2023
While a bit of a hagiography for Jackson, Winston Groom brings his great writing talent to bear on the War of 1812 (and the New Orleans Campaign in particular) with a cynical wit that makes the read, if not enjoyable due to the bloody content, than at least informative. While written in an easily-read manner which will appeal to the armchair historian or average reader, Groom put forth a great amount of research into the book, consulting not only popular and unpopular histories, but journals, maps, archives, and other sources to craft his work. He does not use footnotes or endnotes, but does list a bibliography in the back. One gripe would be that he seemingly accepts Jackson's side's accounts while believing all the worst things about the British (including the spurious claim that the British officers' watchword was "booty and beauty" -meaning rape and plunder - which British veterans denied vehemently, and the source of the statement is dubious at best). That is not to say the the British behaved well in the War of 1812 - they at times acted as barbarians (such as in Maryland). But to ascribe an intent of plunder to gallant men like General Packenham seems unsupported (though Wellington certainly believed Admirable Cochrain was capable of entertaining such ideas).
One is struck with the bravery of the average British officer at the time. Groom contains accounts of heroism on both sides, and clearly is biased for the American side, but the British seemed more prepared for and accepting of death than their Tennessee and New Orleans counterparts. While heralded as a great victory, which it was, it's also a tragedy, being fought after the cessation of hostilities between Britain and the States (unknown to the parties at the time) and likely had little to no impact on the resulting treaty.
The book quickly concludes with a summary of what happened to the battle"s leading figures, including Andrew Jackson's petty dictatorship, which Groom does somewhat attempt to defend. A deeper discussion of the units involved and their fates would have been appreciated (especially as the beaten British army was packed off to fight Napoleon at Waterloo).
Having lost the book for a time, it's taken me over 3 years to finish, which is longer than the actual War of 1812. Such is the humor of life.
One is struck with the bravery of the average British officer at the time. Groom contains accounts of heroism on both sides, and clearly is biased for the American side, but the British seemed more prepared for and accepting of death than their Tennessee and New Orleans counterparts. While heralded as a great victory, which it was, it's also a tragedy, being fought after the cessation of hostilities between Britain and the States (unknown to the parties at the time) and likely had little to no impact on the resulting treaty.
The book quickly concludes with a summary of what happened to the battle"s leading figures, including Andrew Jackson's petty dictatorship, which Groom does somewhat attempt to defend. A deeper discussion of the units involved and their fates would have been appreciated (especially as the beaten British army was packed off to fight Napoleon at Waterloo).
Having lost the book for a time, it's taken me over 3 years to finish, which is longer than the actual War of 1812. Such is the humor of life.
Read
September 5, 2022A great read about a time in US history I was never aware of (and it all started with a pirate!)
This summer we visited New Orleans and went on a pirate tour. What I thought would be corny turned out to be an entralling 2+ hour tour of the city and to hear about the "pirate" Jean Lafitte. An entrepreneur who found ways to make a name for himself smuggling goods into the city, he also found himself in the city at a pivotal time in New Orleans (and ultimately national) history.
It was 1814, and the young United States was on the verge of collapse. I didn't know it, but at this time in our storied history we nearly fell to pieces, with some in New England wanting a return to British-based rule and Washington DC burned to the ground by said Brits. Somehow a plan was concocted by the British to invade Louisiana, for if they could find a way to take back the Mississipi, they'd control a central corridor through the country that would literally and figuratively split it in two, after which they'd be poised to take back not the city of New Orleans, but very possibly the entire country.
The Federal government brought in Andrew Jackson (yes, the later President) to command the defensive forces, a mix of military, volunteers, and yes, pirate (courtesy of Laffite and his two brothers' influence and connections).
The Battle of New Orleans is a fascinating chapter in our history, and one that I'm so glad I stumbed across hints of on my pirate tour and picked up this particular book to learn more. I'm not typically one who reads stories like this, but I'm glad I did!
This summer we visited New Orleans and went on a pirate tour. What I thought would be corny turned out to be an entralling 2+ hour tour of the city and to hear about the "pirate" Jean Lafitte. An entrepreneur who found ways to make a name for himself smuggling goods into the city, he also found himself in the city at a pivotal time in New Orleans (and ultimately national) history.
It was 1814, and the young United States was on the verge of collapse. I didn't know it, but at this time in our storied history we nearly fell to pieces, with some in New England wanting a return to British-based rule and Washington DC burned to the ground by said Brits. Somehow a plan was concocted by the British to invade Louisiana, for if they could find a way to take back the Mississipi, they'd control a central corridor through the country that would literally and figuratively split it in two, after which they'd be poised to take back not the city of New Orleans, but very possibly the entire country.
The Federal government brought in Andrew Jackson (yes, the later President) to command the defensive forces, a mix of military, volunteers, and yes, pirate (courtesy of Laffite and his two brothers' influence and connections).
The Battle of New Orleans is a fascinating chapter in our history, and one that I'm so glad I stumbed across hints of on my pirate tour and picked up this particular book to learn more. I'm not typically one who reads stories like this, but I'm glad I did!
June 4, 2020
A Review of the Audiobook
Published in 2006 by Tantor Media.
Read by Grover Gardner.
Duration: 10 hours, 10 minutes.
Unabridged.
Winston Groom, best known as the author of Forrest Gump, is also a historian of sorts. He has written 14 non-fiction books, using his research skills he honed as a journalist to investigate a historical topic.
In this case, the topic is the Battle of New Orleans. Most people know everything they know about the battle from the catchy Johnny Horton song:
In 1814 we took a little trip,
Along with Colonel Jackson down the might Mississip
We took a little bacon and we took a little beans
And we caught the bloody British in the town of New Orleans.
I knew a little bit more, having read a little about the battle. I didn't know much, however, not really being a fan of the War of 1812 or Andrew Jackson. But, I am a fan of Winston Groom so I decided to give it a try.
Groom is skilled at...
Read more at: https://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/2020...
Published in 2006 by Tantor Media.
Read by Grover Gardner.
Duration: 10 hours, 10 minutes.
Unabridged.
Winston Groom, best known as the author of Forrest Gump, is also a historian of sorts. He has written 14 non-fiction books, using his research skills he honed as a journalist to investigate a historical topic.
In this case, the topic is the Battle of New Orleans. Most people know everything they know about the battle from the catchy Johnny Horton song:
In 1814 we took a little trip,
Along with Colonel Jackson down the might Mississip
We took a little bacon and we took a little beans
And we caught the bloody British in the town of New Orleans.
I knew a little bit more, having read a little about the battle. I didn't know much, however, not really being a fan of the War of 1812 or Andrew Jackson. But, I am a fan of Winston Groom so I decided to give it a try.
Groom is skilled at...
Read more at: https://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/2020...
March 23, 2023
Brilliant and personal. A great example of how to write history and entertain in the process, not just give dates and maps.
The characters are not all squeaky clean but they have the complications of being human and this book makes a great case for and against many ideas current today even though it was written over a decade before the modern debate.
A great study for anyone who wants history and mystery too!
The characters are not all squeaky clean but they have the complications of being human and this book makes a great case for and against many ideas current today even though it was written over a decade before the modern debate.
A great study for anyone who wants history and mystery too!
July 30, 2024
Great read and so informative as to the early painful beginning of the US as a country. The author had good scholarship but also is a great storyteller. Well paced, the story of the defense of New Orleans from invading Brits interested in “beauty and booty” as well as controlling the Mississippi River and pushing the US democracy into the sea is full of background of the main personalities and then follows up with lives after the Battle.
April 11, 2022
Excellent read on the Battle of New Orleans. Not only does Mr. Groom write in an way to enjoy history, he provides the necessary context for this defining battle. Mr. Groom also provides amazing life, and imagery to the figures involved. Whereas, numerous resources were used for this historical read, where there is controversy the author states it, and if the author took liberties, he not only states it but also explains his point of view as to why etc. Definitely not a dry academic read.
May 23, 2024
Mr. Winston Groom does a great job of telling history from documented, reliable sources. I like the footnotes that he adds. The footnotes are not lengthy, but give enough details to round out information that wouldn't flow in the story of the book. He provides a very good description of the Battle of New Orleans. I gained new found respect for Andrew Jackson and Jean Lafitte.
July 25, 2021
I had read this book because I have an interest in U.S. history. I enjoyed reading this book because I learned more about the Battle of New Orleans. I loved that it was well researched even a little slow at times. I thought the book was well written.
Read
March 20, 2021Brilliant Historical Account of Andrew Jackson, Jean Lafitte and the battle of New Orleans
July 21, 2021
Really enjoyed this one. I learned about the Georgia Road and lots of other details I didn’t know. Groom tells a good one.
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