1812: The Rivers of War

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**Title** **1812: The Rivers of War**

Author	Eric Flint
Country	United States
Language	English
Genre(s)	Alternate History
Publisher	Del Rey
Released	2005
Media type	Print (Hardcover & Paperback) & E-book
Pages	528 pp (softcover edition)
ISBN	ISBN 0-345-46568-7 (softcover edition)
Followed by	1824: The Arkansas War

1812: The Rivers of War is a 2005 alternate history novel by American writer Eric Flint. The book was originally published in hardcover as simply The Rivers of War. In 2006, the text was made available at the Baen Free Library.

1 Plot introduction
2 Major themes
3 Historical Figures Appearing in the Novel
4 See also
5 External links

[edit] Plot introduction

The story, which takes place in 1814–15, centers around an alternate historical version of the War of 1812. The point of divergence is at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend, where Sam Houston, who was seriously injured in real history, sustains only a minor injury and is able to continue fighting. This leads to many changes down the line, culminating in the formation of the Confederacy of the Arkansas.

[edit] Major themes

Much of the novel, like many of Eric Flint's novels, focuses on the motivations of those involved in warfare. British general Robert Ross is a viewpoint character in the novel, and much time is devoted to his place as a "gentleman soldier", leading the English forces.

Another strong theme in the book is that of Indian rights. During the early part of the 19th century, westward expansion was squeezing the Cherokee and other Indian nations out of lands they occupied east of the Mississippi River. In the novel, the characters all seem to have a sense of inevitability about the whole affair, and know the time to preserve what they have is limited.