The U.S. Navy's superb performance during the War of 1812 forced Great Britain, and indeed all of Europe, to take the fledgling United States more seriously, initiated a fundamental change in the British-American relationship, and enabled America to maintain a robust navy even in peacetime. Daughan details the chronology of the war and many of its central players, including U.S. President James Monroe. The Navy was an unsung contributor to America’s success in the war, and salvaged what was initially a losing battle.
After receiving a PhD in American History and Government from Harvard University, George Daughan spent three years in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. Most of the time he taught at the Air Force Academy, where he was director of the MA program in international affairs. Upon returning to civilian life, he taught at the University of Colorado, the University of NH, Wesleyan University, Connecticut College, and Harvard University.