The book, War Of 1812 is part of a series of books focused on providing the reader a clear understanding of the violent clashes that have helped to shape United States history.  "War Of 1812" follows the format of the other books in this series by opening with an incident central to the conflict followed by an articulation of the war's major objectives and strategies, including important innovations in weaponry and battlefield tactics.  Also provided are details of the average foot soldier, their commanders and the civilian population during wartime.  In this book installment, "War Of 1812" describes a series of events dating back to 1783 that finally culminated with the English blockade of American ports and the enslavement of young sailors into service aboard English vessels.  "War Of 1812" covers such topics as the intent and results on the English embargo of American trade in Europe, the design and construction of America's new capital in Washington D.C. during the war's first year and the displacement of native American Indians in the wake of this conflict.  Also, described in detail is the heroic campaign by a young country to beat back the forces of the world's premiere "superpower" in the early 19th century and to get rid of the foreign powers' influence over the United States once and for all.  The major sections of "War Of 1812" are as follows: 1) Preface; 2) Chapter-1 "The Darkest Day" (The Nations Capital & British Campaign Against Washington, D.C., August 1814); 3) Chapter-2 "Free Trade And Sailors' Rights" (Barbary Powers, Early 1800s, The U.S. Marine Corps & Reacting to the Embargo); 4) Chapter-3 Warriors And War Hawks (Dying in Office); 5) Chapter-4 The United States On The Eve Of War (Almanacs, Money and Barter, United States, 1812, Men's Clothing and Hair Styles, Deadly Diseases & Principal Roads And Canals, Early 1800s); 6) Chapter-5 "Go March To Canada" (The Musket, Financing the War, Battles In Canada and The Great Lakes, 1812-1814); 7) Chapter-6 The Naval War (Building the USS Constitution, Battle of Constitution V. Guerriere August 1812, Combat At Sea, African-American Sailors & Naval Battles In The Atlantic Ocean, 1812-1813); 8) Chapter-7 "O"er The Land Of The Free" (Fort McHenry & War Songs); 9) Chapter-8 The War In The South (New Orleans, Pirates, Battle For New Orleans, 1814-15 & African-American Soldiers At New Orleans); 10) Chapter-9 Ghent, Hartford, And Peace (Indian Removal & Removal Of The Eastern Indians To The West, 1801-1842); 11) Glossary; 12) Further Reading and 13) Index.  In addition to an informative narrative, "War Of 1812" includes the following features: 1) Approximately 56 black and white photographs & Illustrations and 2) 9 maps.  Note: this book was previously the property of a local public library and was acquired during a recent book sale.  This book is 166 pages and is in good condition.  The author is Miriam Grennblatt with John S. Bowman, (general editor).  Edition published in 2003.