The Burning of the White House: James and Dolley Madison and the War of 1812

Nice read. Jane Hampton Cook balances deeply researched details and threads it all over a narrative that is well-paced. One thing I particularly like comes from the author's attention to add context. I enjoy history books the most when I learn the "why" behind things happened the way they did -- not just the facts of what -- and providing enough understanding about the personalities (namely the Madisons) and the politics during that time.

The Liberty Belles Literary Society Book Club of Virginia chose, "The Burning of the White House" for our Sept. read. The author, Jane Hampton Cook, was kind enough to attend our monthly meeting. What a treat! All members agreed the book is full of tantalizing details we never learned in History class. Ms. Cook leaves the reader with a renewed appreciation of the sacrifices and determination of the Madison's and many other great Patriots in preserving our Nations freedom.

Ms. Cook is an excellent story teller. She doesn't just give the reader a better understanding of the 4th President and the First Lady, but also gives a good description of a fairly unknown war. It was a quick read that I just could not put down.

one of my favorite authors! She makes the characters come alive. Also read American Phoenix which is an amazing book about John Quincy Adams which lead me to this one.

Bought for husband. Good quality and look.

If you seek a gushy, gossipy history with clear cut good guys and bad guys, then this is your book. The Americans are the good guys, the British the bad. Everything the Americans do is pictured in the best light, everything the British do is portrayed in dark hues. If you wish a scholarly, thoughtful , and subtly nuanced account of the events in the Washington campaign look elsewhere. This book reads almost like a Georgette Heyer regency romance, although this author lacks her grace with words. The author understands little about military men and their concerns. She completely misreads the British leader, Rear Admiral George Cockburn, constantly referring to him as a pirate, buccaneer, or evil intentioned court jester. She constantly posits he smiled with glee every time he destroyed an American town; a brigand masquerading as a military man. Cockburn was no foolishly impulsive pirate but a skilled strategist and a talented tactician. The author calls him a " slippery snake," but he was actually a man of honor who lived by a demanding code. He was a fine seamen and a gifted leader of men ;tough, ruthless, able. His men idolized him. His campaigns were well and intelligently planned. His objectives were sensible given whathe hoped to accomplish. The Washington campaign reflected poorly on the American war effort since nearly all military actions were carried out badly and wrong. The British performed brilliantly, something which the author seems loathe to admit. The material about the love between James and Dolley Madison is entertaining and if the author had just focused on that I would give this book much higher marks. The author is not a bad story teller but not a very good historian.

I read American Phoenix first which I enjoyed much more. It was as if she used the same information to write both books.Overall it was a good read.

Great historic read! Like a novel - about one of a little spoken time in history and President & Dolley Madison. Takes you back in time - learned so much!!!!