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Primary sourceBook1882

The Naval War of 1812

Theodore Roosevelt · 1882

Roosevelt's first book, published in 1882, a detailed history of naval battles of the War of 1812 that shaped his views on sea power.

Roosevelt's first book, written at age 23, reveals the early roots of his lifelong interest in naval power.

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Green cloth cover of a book with gold lettering on the spine reading 'The Naval War of 1812', 'Roosevelt', and '1812', and a gold embossed sailing ship with billowing sails on the front cover.
Theodore Roosevelt, The Naval War of 1812, 1882. First edition cover.

About this source

What it is

This is Theodore Roosevelt's first book, published in 1882 when he was 23 years old. It is a detailed history of the naval battles and technology of the War of 1812, based on American, British, and some Continental European documents.

Why it matters

The book was considered a seminal work on its subject and had a major influence on the modern United States Navy; by 1886 the Navy ordered a copy placed on every ship. It shows the early roots of Roosevelt's lifelong interest in naval power, which later shaped his work as Assistant Secretary of the Navy and as president, including his decision to send the Great White Fleet around the world. The book also influenced naval historian Alfred Thayer Mahan.

Look closer

  • Why might a young law student have chosen such a technical and demanding subject for his first book?
  • How does Roosevelt try to be fair to both American and British sides, according to the facts?
  • What does the book's lasting influence on naval policy tell you about the power of historical writing?

This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Theodore Roosevelt on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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