Book Review - Andrew Jackson and the Miracle of New Orleans
For Christmas, my wife Sarah (who knows me all too well) gave me this book, which I dove into with great excitement and interest.
In their fascinating historically focused books, Kilmeade and Yaeger have hit upon a recipe for an engaging narrative. They weave their story around some of the most interesting characters – people we’ve all heard of, but the story takes us through a segment of their life that is little considered by the mainstream.
In this book, the central character is Andrew Jackson, who would eventually be the seventh President of the United States. During the War of 1812, considered by some to be a second War for Independence, Jackson worked hard to defend the port of New Orleans. This critical port was ideally placed for a young nation to grow. Losing it to the British, who might keep it or hand it back to other European powers, would eliminate the possibility of further westward growth of the United States, and also severely limit ocean-going commerce during and after the war.
The exciting narrative, with an incredible supporting cast of characters including Davy Crockett, will captivate any reader. The suspense is built by a careful introduction to the reader of the background and geographic importance of New Orleans. From there, scenes of battle, intrigue, and even piracy give a Technicolor spectacle that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The War of 1812 comes to live in this exciting narrative.