Discover the epic naval story of the war that threatened to undo our nation in 1812. Riveting firsthand accounts enliven this official sea-level view of the conflict that proved American naval prowess a force to be reckoned with. Explore historic documents, letters, ephemera, and artifacts, including fascinating finds from the Navy's most recent underwater excavation of the war's lost ships.

Featuring a colorful, diverse cast of characters—from sailors, spies, and ship's surgeons to commodores, Navy wives, and privateersmen—and incorporating hundreds of photographs, period illustrations, and contemporary and original maps, The War of 1812 and the Rise of the U.S. Navy is a sweeping panorama of a defining moment in U.S. history and a must-read for maritime aficionados and general history buffs alike.

• Hardcover
• 288 pages; 345 illustrations
• 9" x 12"
• © 2012

Mark Collins Jenkins is the author of four previous books of history, including Worlds to Explore: Tales of Exploration and Adventure from National Geographic; The Book of Marvels; High Adventure: The Story of the National Geographic Society; and Odysseys and Photographs. The former archivist of the National Geographic Society, he lives in Fredericksburg, Virginia.