Donald R. Hickey is a professor of history at Wayne State College. He has written widely on the War of 1812, including the books The War of 1812: A Forgotten Conflict; The War of 1812: A Short History; and, as coauthor, The Rockets' Red Glare: An Illustrated History of the War of 1812 and The War of 1812 in the Chesapeake: A Reference Guide to Historic Sites in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia, the last two also published by Johns Hopkins.

187 Things You Should Know about the War of 1812 is a choice pick for public, high school, and even college library collections due to its concise, reader-friendly format. Midwest Book Review The book is illustrated with paintings, drawings, and maps to aid the student in understanding what events and battles took place and their significance towards ending the conflict. Lone Star Book Review