As a Marylander, I wouldn't dare forget the War of 1812 and the writing of the Star Spangled Banner. This book is in the format of a series of questions that most readers probably don't know enough to ask. I was somewhat vaguely aware that there was border warfare between the United States and Canada around this period, but somehow didn't connect the dots that it was part of the War of 1812. The main event was of course the failed attack on Fort McHenry, with the secondary event of the burning of Washington. I did work in the building next to the Old Patent office, and I love the story (told here) about the head of the agency successfully defending his building by appealing to the better nature of the British. Hickey pulls together a lot of somewhat unanchored facts that I knew (Don't Give up the Ship, Old Ironsides) with a lot of things that I didn't know in a book that I found very readable and educational. I wish that he had told a few more of the colorful stories about things like St. Michaels hanging lanterns in the trees to mislead the British into bombarding the forest instead of the town, but that may be my local bias showing again. If you are intrigued by this account, he has a list of further readings. The index and chronology are also very helpful. Recommended for anyone interested in a helpful, if not scholarly work. ( )