The Encyclopedia of the War of 1812

The intended audience includes students--high school level and above--as well as general readers and scholars of the period seeking a first-stop reference. As the publisher's senior fellow in military history, editor Spencer C. Tucker (emeritus, Virginia Military Institute) has been involved in the creation of roughly 40 books and encyclopedias. Here he focuses on the important but comparatively less-studied War of 1812, bringing together the first two volumes of this three-volume set. Roughly 870 alphabetically arranged, signed entries, each with references and cross references, along with five b&w general maps and 21 entry maps are presented. Close to half the entries are devoted to individuals; other categories of topics include events, groups and organizations, places, ideas and movements, treaties and other documents, technologies, and miscellaneous topics (e.g. art, casualties, causes, historiography). The third volume has two editors--James R. Arnold and Roberta Wiener--both of whom are writers specializing in military history. Volume 3 consists of primary documents; listings of medals, decorations, and military honors; military ranks; a glossary; a chronology; a bibliography; a categorical index; and the subject index. Annotation c2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Spencer C. Tucker, PhD, is senior fellow in military history for ABC-CLIO and the author or editor of more than 40 books and encyclopedias, many of which have been recognized by awards.