Short, exciting recap of the battle of New Orleans. Kilmeade focuses primarily on General Andrew Jackson which I found remarkably interesting. I'm getting ready to spend the New Year Holiday in New Orleans and I found this book to be an excellent primer for some light historical touring.

You can’t help but admit that this book is a fun read. It reads like a Dan Brown-styled novel, which the primary jacket endorsement from Brad Thor highlights. From what I can tell, the actual events that occurred leading up to and during the Battle look to all be recounted with a high degree of accuracy. As such, this is a great introduction to a war and battle that I don’t think everyone is as familiar with. It’s an easy read (I read it in a couple of hours), and gives a good introductory view to the only time America has ever been physically invaded.

That said, spin abounds throughout the book. In one example, the primary argument made for why the battle was even important is that Britain had initially tried to insert language in the treaty to end the war that each country would keep whatever land they possessed at the signing of the treaty. So if Jackson lost and the British held New Orleans, then they could in theory control the Mississippi and alter the course of Manifest Destiny. Sounds compelling right? Only the American diplomats weren’t stupid, and the final treaty actually just called for territory to return to how it was before the war started.

Undoubtedly the outcome of the battle had (and still does today) an outsized affect in American self-confidence and image abroad. Being able to defeat the British twice is certainly impressive, and looks better than a win and a loss.

But that’s not really how the book tries to spin the more ephemeral elements of the war. And it’s just one example of the type of false-positive storytelling that litters the book (don’t get me started on the nuns).

Read it for the events, and to learn more about battlefield strategy. But be wary of the narrative surrounding the facts, and take them with a grain, or lump, of salt.

Interesting view on Andrew Jackson. Most accounts I've read of him has been about the bad aspects of his personality and how crazy he is. I enjoyed listening to the author narrate it. He reads it like he is your good friend super excited to tell you about this moment in history.

Liked the fact that it told the primary story and did not spend much time on background. Found the balance just right that kept the flow and interest high.