Flames Across the Border: 1813-1814

By Pierre Berton

The Canada–U.S. border was in flames as the War of 1812 continued. York's parliament buildings were on fire, Niagara-on-the-Lake burned to the ground and Buffalo lay in ashes. Even the American capital of Washington, far to the south, was put to the torch. The War of 1812 had become one of the nineteenth century's bloodiest struggles.

Flames Across the Border is a compelling evocation of war at its most primeval level — the muddy fields, the frozen forests and the ominous waters where men fought and died. Pierre Berton skilfully captures the courage, determination and terror of the universal soldier, giving new dimension and fresh perspective to this early conflict between the two emerging nations of North America.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Release date: May 18, 2011
• ISBN: 9780385673594

Reviews for Flames Across the Border

[dimoreien · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent read!!

[mahallett · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

this was better than the first book. but wouldn't recommend it. it's so long.

[cecrow · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This picks up where "The Invasion of Canada" ended, at the beginning of 1813. The American forces continue to suffer a string of defeats or hollow victories until the battle at Fort Stephenson, the first significant British blunder. William Henry Harrison, the future president, proved himself the most capable of America's military leaders in this era, but otherwise the United States continued to suffer bad leadership. The leaders of Canada's successful defence went similarly sour whenever they crossed the border.Reading about battle after battle could have been exhausting, but Berton always finds the telling detail or human interest angle that makes every story unique and engaging, and he uses adequate foreshadowing to tie every event to the bigger picture. The peace negotiations were just as interesting to read about. Initially the British demanded a buffer state for the native American population. They knuckled under pretty fast on that point, but just imagine if it had happened?Battles cover a wider range of locations including York (Toronto), the Niagara peninsula (including Lundy's Lane), Ohio, Quebec, Washington and ending with Plattsburgh (some events are not covered in detail, e.g. Baltimore, New Orleans.) There's a couple of navy battles full of honour and blood. Maps in these books have been very helpful and plentiful, placing the locations in their historical context and clearly indicating the troop movements and points of conflict. It was an awkward tale to tell, "bloody and senseless", but Pierre Berton has done it ample justice.

[dinadansfriend · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Not a professional treatise on the war, but a good read with some elements of social history. The later 1812 war without the mythological figures of Tecumseh and Brock, but still, part of the library of those who wish to know Canada.

[ksmyth_18 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was the first book I ever purchased on the War of 1812. I had difficulty with Berton's narrative style at first, which is in the present tense. Nevertheless, Berton's account of the most important battles in Canada--Chippewa, Lundy's Lane, the burning of York are all quite good, and are accompanied by helful maps. Berton also draws in actions outside the Canadian to contribute to the context they occurred in, and emphasizing their relative importance.