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by Richard V. Barbuto.
Softcover (6.7×9.3 inches). 96 pages. 2025.
Once again, the US Army “Blue Book” supplies the text that forms the foundation of this edited book. I call it the Blue Book because on my copy the cover was blue. It’s like the WWII Green books, only in blue. The first was US Army 1783-1811: Defending a New Nation. The next is The Chesapeake Campaign 1813-1814. All share the same pedigree.
That said, you can’t get anyone better than Barbuto to abridge edit Center of Military History chapters about the War of 1812. The author of numerous War of 1812 books, not to mention the wargame connection as past editor of Solo Wargame Association magazine Lone Warrior, he knows his stuff.
As this is a Casemate Illustrated booklet, it contains lots of illustrations — the “value add” of the work. The booklet contains four black and white photos, eight color photos, nine black and white illustrations, three black and white maps, 23 color illustrations, and six color maps.
This repackaged package from the Casemate Illustrated series offers a pleasing way to read the associated War of 1812 Blue Book chapters. Note some sidebars are original text. For those wanting an overview, here’s your book. For those needing more detail, check out Barbuto’s full-length original books.
Enjoyed it.
— Reviewed by Russ Lockwood
