"The Burning of the White House is an important look at one of the most underappreciated and perilous periods in our past. This book does a wonderful job of capturing the great leadership of not only President Madison but First Lady Dolley as well . . . Great job!" -- BRIAN KILMEADE, cohost of Fox & Friends, host of Kilmeade and Friends, and author of Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates"Jane Hampton Cook once again brings to vivid life stories of the White House and its occupants and the times in which they lived. In her latest book, we learn about the figures around James and Dolley Madison--both historical and ordinary--who were witnesses to the divisive time in our nation's history when we came dangerously close to losing the capital city and perhaps the Union itself." -- ANITA MCBRIDE, assistant to President George W. Bush and chief of staff to First Lady Laura Bush, and executive in residence at the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies, School of Public Affairs at American University "The Burning of the White House tells the exhilarating story of a pivotal moment in American history. Jane brings to life the fascinating men and women who helped our nation survive its second war for independence, and offers a captivating look at the burning of our capital city." -- CALLISTA GINGRICH, president of Gingrich Productions and author of the New York Times bestselling Ellis the Elephant series "Never have I read a more compelling rendition of the plots and subplots leading up to the dastardly burning of Washington, D.C. by the British in 1814, and its horrific destruction followed by the somber aftermath to rebuild a city by those whose very lives had been broken. The author is a master storyteller who makes history a true page-turner that contains all of the elements of a drama. She cleverly weaves pages seamlessly filled with quotes that become readable dialogue to flesh out protagonists, antagonists, intrigue, and conflict. This is real history that allows the reader to feel the emotions nearly always lacking in nonfiction." -- LUCINDA J. FRAILLY, director of education and special events coordinator, First Ladies National Historic Site, National First Ladies' Library "From the moment Jane Hampton Cook first toured the White House as an employee there, she herself was lit by a fire to tell the untold story of the woman who could be called our Founding Mother, Dolley Madison. Jane possesses both the scholarship and storyteller's passion for bringing new generations into the intimate, immediately daring intrigues of our nation's history. In short, she brings The Burning of the White House story alive in a way that emboldens us now to be better citizens, and to count our blessings for our forebears' acts of great courage and prescience to imagine a better world for future Americans who will find themselves surprisingly inspired by the tales of those who built our democracy." -- BOBETTE BUSTER, story guru, former adjunct professor, University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts, writer/producer, and author of Do Story: How to Tell Your Story So the World Listens"Author Jane Hampton Cook has done it again! She has written a well-researched new book entitled The Burning of the White House: James and Dolley Madison and the War of 1812. It is filled with historic facts, figures, and insightful stories about the buildup to the war, the lives of the fourth President of the United States and the First Lady, and the Executive Mansion. It is a wonderfully documented study of one of our nation's early historical events." -- NANCY THEIS, presidential writer for President Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush "Jane Hampton Cook has emerged as one of America's leading and important historians, especially on the country's early days. In her new book, The Burning of the White House, Cook reveals new facts about that awful event which were previously unknown. Her writing is lively and engaging, honest and fresh. Cook asks the reader to simply enjoy her book and no doubt many will. I did!" -- CRAIG SHIRLEY, Reagan biographer and presidential historian "Jane Hampton Cook's latest book proves to the reader to look to our past for the strength to guide us in our country's future. In The Burning of the White House, the Madisons, through their commitment, bravery, and love of country, provide us an excellent lesson in hope and a determination to save our beloved nation. This book is more than an excellent tribute to people of substance; it is a reminder of what we nearly lost and must preserve." -- DR. LINDA SUNDQUIST-NASSIE, retired American history teacher and author of The Poetess of Song: The Life of Mary Shindler"The Burning of the White House is a lively, engaging read. It's told through some characters we don't often meet, such as Senator Rufus King--Federalist and bitter opponent of President Madison--and offers a unique, fresh twist on a familiar story." -- MATTHEW GILMORE, editor, H-DC, Washington, D.C. History Network
