Alan Taylor (1) (1955–)

Important historical work that adds to the perspective of American history, especially the War of 1812, in which enslaved people fought for the British to earn their freedom.

Important historical work that adds to the perspective of American history, especially the War of 1812, in which enslaved people fought for the British to earn their freedom.

Intriguing subject matter on a comparatively obscure angle of history, quite revelatory, but the history itself is somewhat repetitive in the telling. It's not a failure of the book, it's a quality of the story being told. But it is a very enlightening examination of the surprising facts behind a war most Americans think they know a little about, but know less than they realize.

I didn’t enjoy this nearly as much as the author's previous American Revolutions

It seemed too tedious (long, detailed descriptions of the lives of various people in Jefferson’s orbit). It’s intended audience seems to be buffs about the history of the University of Virginia.