The Battle of Lake Erie and Its Aftermath

A Reassessment

By: David Curtis Skaggs

Narrated by: Stephen W. Davis

Experts weigh in on a pivotal engagement in the War of 1812

Few naval battles in American history have left a more enduring impression on America's national consciousness than the Battle of Lake Erie, September 10, 1813. Master Commandant Oliver Hazard Perry's battle flag emblazoned with the message "Don t Give Up the Ship", now enshrined at the U.S. Naval Academy, has become a naval maxim. His succinct after-action report, "We have met the enemy and they are ours", constitutes one of the more memorable battle summaries in American history.

This splendid collection celebrates the bicentennial of the American victory with a review of the battle and its consequences. The volume is divided into three sections. The first deals with military operations in the upper Great Lakes, 1812-14, and provides an overview of the war of 1812, in the Old Northwest and western Upper Canada. The second, "Consequences", assesses the long-term impact of this campaign upon the Native Americans and Euro-Americans who lived in the region and three individuals whose lives were changed by the American recovery of the upper lakes in 1813. The final section, "Memory", examines two ways the United States keeps the legacy of its first squadron-to-squadron victory alive by maintaining the fragile battle flag that flew on Perry's flagships and by sailing the replica of US Brig Niagara on the Great Lakes and the East Coast.

Collectively these essays allow the general listener, the military history enthusiast, and the professional historian to take a fresh look at this significant naval engagement and its impact on subsequent historical events.

©2013 The Kent State University Press (P)2014 Redwood Audiobooks

Critic reviews

“The Battle of Lake Erie and Its Aftermath is an eclectic collection of essays concerning a crucial but often neglected event in U.S. history. The authors combine to demonstrate just how important Oliver Hazard Perry's good fortune proved to be for all the peoples of the Great Lakes region, whether they benefited or suffered in the echo of his famous report, ‘We have met the enemy and they are ours.'” (Robert M. Owens, Wichita State University)

Battle of Lake Erie Review

Having grown up along the Maumee River and having sailed L. Erie, I have been an avid student of the places, people, and events described in this detailed and deeply researched book. I learned much more than I knew before from a lifetime interest. Some of this may be too dry or in-depth for a casual or action/adventure seeking reader.

Just what I was looking for

Chapters are made up of specific stories related to the battle of lake Erie. The chapters on the events and tactics of the battle, Thomas Holdup Stevens captain of the USS Trippe, and Perry’s Battle flag were the most useful for what I was looking for. Can be a little dry at points if you are not looking for an in depth history.

Interesting History Beyond the Battle.

The Good: Excellent essays with very interesting history about the Battle of Lake Erie and the War of 1812 in the Great Lakes region. Very good performance by the reader. The essays about Perry, the battle itself, the Great Lakes fleet after the battle, and the history and restoration of Perry's "Dont give up the ship" battle flag are all very interesting.

The Bad: Only a small portion of the book is about the Battle of Lake Erie. Far more time is devoted to the relations and disputes between the American government and native peoples who inhabited the lower Great Lakes region.

If you are interested in the Battle of Lake Erie and the history of the lower Great Lakes region in the early to mid 19th century, then you will enjoy this audio book.