August 24, 1814 describes the British invasion to the City of Washington. Chapters are devoted to the British advance up the Patuxent River in search of Commodore Barney’s flotilla, the shameful defeat of American militia forces at Bladensburg, the flights of President James and Dolley Madison, the burning of America’s seat of government, the surrender of the City of Alexandria, and the writing of the “Star Spangled Banner.” The destruction by the British to America’s capital city was a very small part in the War of 1812, but nothing in American history parallels this disastrous event. The horrific events of Pearl Harbor and 9-11 were basically surprise attacks, but the invasion and burning of Washington City, and the subsequent sacking of the City of Alexandria, should have never happened. They were definitely preventable. That is the overall theme of the book. The torching of Washington City, rallied the people, and combined with the American victory at Baltimore three weeks later, a wave of patriotism was unleashed that began a much needed unification of the fledging nation.
