Free Trade and Sailors' Rights

War of 1812 Book

reviewed by Jim Arnold

Many years ago a young leather-jacketed youth visited and played at the Old Colony Wargame Club (where much of The Courier staff games ED.). Time passes, we grow older, and wargamers enter a variety of career paths. Some stay true to the calling, and one such gentleman is (and soon to be Dr.) John C. Fredriksen, author of Free Trade and Sailors' Rights.

This outstanding bibliography contains over 5,000 book and periodical citations available in university, state, public, and historical society libraries. Since it is a resource book, it is not intended for, nor is it priced for the casual reader. it is directed at researchers, historians, and serious students of the War of 1812. However, it does offer exceedingly interesting material for the wargamer. For example, I was interested in uniforms of various Canadian units that fought along the Niagara frontier. The bibliography had numerous citations by unit that informed me of relevant Canadian magazine articles. I can imagine this book being owned by a wargame's club interested in researching the period to learn about units, battles and uniforms.

Each of 13 chapters covers a distinct regional, military, or political aspect of the war. The chapters tell you what resources are available in each state. Three appendices list contemporary newspapers, military records of all American, British, and Canadian regiments, and a detailed chronology of the war.

Free Trade and Sailors' Rights is available from Greenwood Press,88 Post Road West, Box 5007, Westport, CT 06881 for $49.95.

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