1812

The Rivers of War (Trail of Glory, Book 1)

By: Eric Flint

Narrated by: Franklin Pierson

MASTER OF ALTERNATE HISTORY ERIC FLINT TAKES ON JACKSONIAN AMERICA

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.

©2022 Eric Flint (P)2022 Recorded Books

Thoroughly enjoyable!

A fully engaging telling of a well thought out story which feels authentic. Highly recommended.

The storytelling

A wonderful story by one of my favorite authors, I’m a big fan of his ring of fire series and this was just as good

Too heavy on discussion of prejudices

I found this book interesting. I listened to Flint's book one in the Ring of Fire series and really enjoyed that. This book was a little different. The characters were great. I'm a bit of a history nut, so I kept trying to see where the "alternate" history was included. I did see at the end where it was headed, so OK. Personally, I prefer seeing the event that changed everything then watching to see the consequences.
The characters were great. The were interesting and very well developed, although I kept getting confused between the male Cheyenne characters as to which was which.
The issue raised by Flint regarding how the different races see one another and how different people treat different groups of people are important issues to consider. My biggest issue with this story is that Flint kept pounding away on those issues. While important, so was the story.

At the end, Flint was talking about being unable to create an alternate history where the Native Americans changed their history. I think that could be done and in a semi-believable way. Remember that we are willing to go with the premise as long as a "logical" (not necessarily possible) change in history were to occur. I would be difficult, simply because of the numbers involved, but it could still be an interesting story.

Eric Flint delivers again

A interesting take for a What If story. Flint weaves a tale that leads to an avalanche of change for a young American nation.

Characters

It is just a story, but it is well written and performed. Let it be known that this is not a historical account of the true events. It is for entertainment.