This is a book for middle-school readers.
Eons ago, when old-me was a very very young-me, Scribner’s published as “Scribner’s Junior” – a series of biographies geared to perhaps second through sixth grades, depending on reading skills. (Mine were excellent!) I devoured every one I could get my hands on – ranging from George Washington to George Washington Carver, Sacagawea to Florence Nightengale and Daniel Boone to Babe Ruth. And Dolley Madison. And I still remember little facts and stories about them to this day. I also remember loving them – and learning to love history.
This of course was long before Author Libby Carty Mcnamee was born – but semi-miraculously, she has picked up where Scribner’s left off. Perhaps for the middle school bunch. Dolley Madison and the War of 1812 is a few notches up in reading ability, and several notches up in actual history. And it’s done without boring the young reader (or even and “old-me” reader) to death with facts and figures and the stuff they will never remember nor care about. Ms. McNamee’s stuff they will remember! After all, “story” is 5/7 of “history.”
Dolley was a legend in her own time – a very rare thing, especially for a woman. Yes she was stylish, yes she was glamorous, and yes she had an outgoing conviviality. But she was more than that. She used that style and glamor and conviviality for its best possible use: to bring divergent groups and factions and opinions – and personalities, together. And none of it would have been possible without the loving and always supportive backing of her quiet scholarly husband James Madison. They were a team. He plotted the course, but it was her hand on the helm.
In Author McNamee’s book, (and she is a fine story-teller), these long-ago people are brought to life. Not just as names in books or answers that come up on tests (or Jeopardy shows). More importantly, they are brought to life on their terms. The way things were then. And how they thought then. With all their limitations. No electricity. No telephones or telegraphs or televisions. No automobiles or airplanes. No modern conveniences. Forget the internet. Her gowns touched the ground; his breeches ended at the knee. And people knew their places – something utterly incomprehensible today, especially among the young.
The author focuses entirely on the War of 1812, which according to many fine historians would never have occurred had there been telegraphs or telephones or transportation faster than a horse. But since history is history, and what was, was, the war occurred, to the enthusiasm of some and misery of others.
The Madisons were walking a fine line. Dolley was raised a Quaker, which is a pacifist sect. Madison, a small man with iffy health, was as unwarlike as any president we have ever had. But the reasons had been presented (both sides), discussion and debate had been going on for years, and finally the war came, with James Madison’s reluctant approval.
Libby McNamee begins midway through the war and focuses on a) their actual actions and the events surrounding them, and b) their relationship to each other (generally well known to their contemporaries) and of course c) the literary license of dialogue between the parties involved.
The young reader (and even older ones) will get a good overview of the economic causes of the war (usually boring), the various generals and commanders on both sides (interesting) and the eventual burning of Washington (always exciting)!
She receives enormous help in this effort – from Dolley herself. During her long lifetime (she lived to 81), she was famous, and indeed beloved nationwide for a half-century. There are hundreds of letters to draw from, and not merely Dolley’s letters. Since so many notables knew Dolley very well, their letters mentioned the First Lady. Even strangers mentioned Dolley and her reputation. Interestingly enough (and even cutting a little slack in acknowledging the more sanctified “place” of women in the early 19th century), just about everyone had a good opinion of her.
McNamee includes important biographical information within the context: her youth and upbringing, her relationships with her sisters, her first marriage, and even a brief mention of her ne’er-do-well son. That works just fine. This is a novel, not a full bio. She is a very good writer, although some of the dialogue tends to be a bit repetitious in concept, i.e. worrying about each other, about themselves, about politics, etc. Certainly they worried, but a little pruning might help. No doubt her next books (and I hope there will be many) will tighten that flaw that practically every writer struggles with.
But the best, best part of Dolley Madison and the War of 1812 is that it never talks down to the reader. An adult can read it and enjoy it – or even read it aloud. And that includes the guys, too! Well done Libby McNamee!
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Dolley Madison and the War of 1812
by Libby Carty McNamee
ISBN-10 : 1732220247 ISBN-13 : 978-1732220249
