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Title: Men of Patriotism, Courage & Enterprise! Fort Meigs in the War of 1812 by Larry L. Nelson ISBN: 0-7884-0728-7 Publisher: Heritage Books Inc. Pub. Date: 01 July, 2003 Format: Paperback List Price(USD): $20.00

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Average Customer Rating: 3.5 (2 reviews)

Rating: 3
Summary: Enjoyable, informative, well-written
Comment: The writer of this book was the site director of Fort Meigs (he might still be for all I know). This is a good thing, as his personal involvement shows though in his writing. This is not a long book (156 pages including illustrations, a multitude of footnotes, an index and a bibliography), but it is well written, very interesting and informative, and for lack of a better word, "lively."
The majority of the book covers February through September of 1813 (and events leading up to the building of Fort Meigs) though the eyes of American participants. This period is when Fort Meigs was under attack or siege twice by the British and Indians, including the great Indian leader Tecumseh.
I have read many books concerning the war of 1812, but this book is the first I have found that concentrates solely on Fort Meigs. The author's entertaining writing style fits the subject well. Never does the book become dry or boring. It is obvious that the writer enjoys the subject. The major characters and many minor ones are brought to life as, not just distant historical footnotes, but as real people living, fighting and sometimes dying in the wilderness. The author uses many quotes from letters and dairies written by participates in the action, and he uses them in a manner that enhances the writing, instead of interrupting it.
For anyone interested in Fort Meigs or the War of 1812, this book is sure to be appreciated. I have been to Fort Meigs several times, and it is gratifying to have an increased knowledge of what happened there.
This book is not, however, an in-depth history of the War of 1812 or even of any of the major characters. For instance, if one was interested in Tecumseh, then there are other books that provide much more information than this one. This book gives information on people like Tecumseh only so far as they affect the time period covered and how they played a part in the story of Fort Meigs. But as a history of Fort Meigs, this is a very well-written and enjoyable to read book.
One of the many illustrations is a reprint of an advertisement trying to recruit men to serve in the war. The advertisement starts with the statement, "To Men of Patriotism, Courage, & Enterprise!" This is where the title of the book comes from.
In the end, a book worth reading. As a book in general, I've rated it a 3, but as a book on the history of Fort Meigs, it would have to be a 4 if not a 5.

Rating: 4
Summary: Hard to find, but for students of 1812, worth the search
Comment: Sadly, Fort Meigs is usually mentioned only in passing (or often ignored altogether) in histories of the War of 1812. This fort, once under the command of William Henry Harrison, was an essential part of American frontier defense. From here, American soldiers repeatedly fought off the British and their Native American allies, under Tecumseh, as they tried to secure the Maumee river for their own use in moving troops through the then-western United States.

This little book is one of the only sources of detailed information about Fort Meigs and its role in securing the safety of the frontier states. It could perhaps benefit from a little more detail regarding the British ships and gunboats which stood against the fort--some of which also participated in the Battle of Lake Erie--but otherwise it's quite satisfying, supporting the text with prints, maps, and quotes from those involved. It's a useful look at the war from a nearly-forgotten perspective. The book can be hard to find, but for students of the War of 1812 (or of Great Lakes history, Ohio history, or the lives of Tecumseh or Harrison), it's worth the search.

Fort Meigs has been beautifully reconstructed on its original site in Perrysburg, Ohio, and often hosts superb re-enactments. It's one of the most faithful pieces of living history in the Great Lakes area, and shouldn't be missed.