Hacks, Sycophants, Adventurers, and Heroes: Madison's Commanders in the War of 1812

Often confused by advisors of little military talent, President James Madison put his trust, and that of the people, in the grasp of hacks, sycophants, adventurers, and a few good men. This is the story of the good, the bad, and the outrageous that held the future of the young nation in their hands and prevailed in spite of a twenty-one-ship navy and an amateur army, pitched at the greatest military machine of its time.