1812: The Rivers of War

Written by Eric Flint

Narrated by Franklin Pierson

In this alternate history of the American frontier and the Jacksonian era, a small change takes place in the Battle of the Horseshoe Bend during the War of 1812.

What results is a cascade of new developments that becomes an avalanche. In our world, Ensign Sam Houston, just turned 21, led the charge on the creek barricade in that battle and almost died from a terrible wound that took him a year to
recover from. In this world, his wound is minor, so he is able to continue fighting the British—and develop his close relationship with Andrew Jackson much sooner.

Along with a radical Scots-Irish immigrant in the U.S. Army, Patrick Driscoll—one of “the Men of ’98”—Houston organizes a defense of the U.S. Capitol that prevents the British from destroying it and makes him a national hero. He and Driscoll then play a
central role in the defense of New Orleans under Jackson’s command. They change the course of that battle in ways that will, over time, transform the relationship between the United States, the Indian tribes of the south, and the slaves brought over from Africa.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Sep 13, 2022
• ISBN: 9781705080863

Reviews for 1812

[highlander99_1 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

This was my first Eric Flint novel. I enjoy alternative history immensely when it s clever and thought provoking. While Flint's action scenes are well crafted, his character development is stilted and contrived and his plot line poorly crafted. His attempt at an inner look into the Cherokee nation is insipid at best and his alternative biography of Sam Houston (ie. placing him at battles in which he was not present)weak. Part of the problem I feel was Flint's inability to decide who his main protagonist should be, Driscoll or Houston.I would not recommend this book. one would be better off reading an actual biography of Sam Houston or DG Graves excellent series of books on the War of 1812.

[daschaich · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Flint's first foray into 'pure' alternate history: Eric Flint's latest work of alternate history is also his first "pure" one, the first volume in a two-book set Flint calls "the Trail of Glory". Unlike his 1632 books or the Belisarius series he wrote with David Drake, there is no time travelling or sentient crystal from the far future in "The Rivers of War". Instead, this alternate history of the War of 1812 and the early-nineteenth century expansion of America begins with only one small and thoroughly plausible point of departure from real history. However, the effects of this small change quickly multiply and spread in a reasonably convincing manner, in the best alternate history tradition.The slip from real history to alternate history occurs when young officer (and adopted Cherokee) Sam Houston slips at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend on the Tallapoosa River, turning what was in reality a near-fatal injury into a relatively minor flesh would. Instead of being incapacitated for a year, Houston is well enough to travel up the Tennessee River to Washington D.C.. He heads to the Capital on the Potomac both to receive a promotion and pursue his dream of negotiating some sort of tolerable arrangement for his adopted Cherokee nation. Convinced that the expansion of the United States onto Cherokee land cannot be stopped, Houston hopes to convince the Cherokee that their best option is a "Trojan retreat" across the Mississippi that will leave them unbroken as a nation. But in order to do that, he will need both the Federal Government's support (and money) and the trust of the Cherokee chiefs.No sooner have Houston and his Cherokee companions arrived in Washington when they find themselves under attack by a small British raiding party. Teaming up with Sergeant Patrick "The Troll" Driscol, wounded in a battle on the Niagara River in the north, Houston helps organize a last-stand defense of the Capitol that turns him into a hero and forces the British to reconsider their battle plans for their assault on New Orleans. Houston, Driscol, and their companions hurry to the Mississippi River, where the final battle of the War of 1812 will be fought, and the fate of the American and Cherokee nations determined.What is truly remarkable about "The Rivers of War" is the number of authentic historical figures Flint has managed to use as characters in his story. Although the personalities of some of the historical figures have been at least partially invented by Flint (who claims to have followed the historical record as closely as possible), there is only one entirely fictional major character, freedman teamster Henry Crowell. All the characters are believable, and much more realistic and multidimensional than is typical for alternate history books. Sergeant Driscol may become uncharacteristically eloquent when discussing class struggle, but that's nothing more than a very minor irritation.From the Tallapoosa, Tennessee and Niagara to the Potomac and Mississippi, "The Rivers of War" is a great read, chock full of historical details that are very carefully researched, from all I can tell. While some might be annoyed by the wealth of detail, I'm as interested in actual history as I am in alternate history, and all the details simply helped make the story more interesting for me. I enjoyed "The Rivers of War" more than any other alternate history book I've read recently, and am looking forward to its sequel, the conclusion to the "Trail of Glory".I recommend "The Rivers of War" wholeheartedly. For those who still aren't sure if the book is for them, I should mention that Eric Flint has once again provided extensive snippets (amounting to the whole first two-thirds of the book!) that can be read free on his "Trail of Glory" Web site. I encourage you to check it out.

[imota_47 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The book "1812: The Rivers of War" by Eric Flint is too long, with lots of repetitions, predictable characters and events. Its plot is weak (almost nonexistent), there is no suspense - we know in advance that invincible Americans would beat the crap out of British (Hooo! Hooray). However, Eric Flint is a master teller when it comes to depicting fighting scenes and some dramatic actions such as the deadly pistol duel between the Tennessee General Charles Dickinson and General Andrew Jackson in the opening pages of the book. Another memorable scene of the book is the mock execution of an American army deserter (Anthony McParland) by Patric Driscoll, a ferocious Scot-Irish, former warrior in Napoleon army and now a US Army Sergeant ( Part 2 - Chapter 11).This is an alternate history where the main protagonists of the book - Patric Driscoll, Captain Sam Houston, General Jackson, Tiana Rogers (a sixteen-year-old Cherokee woman) all look the same - strong, ferocious, decisive, and most importantly - patriotic and true Americans. "1812: The Rivers of War" is glorification of the war. We see either battles or preparations for battles , careful description of weapons, soldiers and military tactics. Although the book indicates in its title the year 1812, the military campaigns against British forces go beyond 1812. Eric Flint, historian himself, made impossible - possible. He united in his novel diverse social/racial groups (whites, blacks, and Indians), all fighting for America. In fact, it was British and Indian alliance in Canada which defeated American invading forces (the Battle of Stoney Creek in 1812). Also, in the following military campaigns, the British burned the American capital (including the White House), contrary to the events described in the book. In short, the book would be more valuable if the historical events were presented as they happened.