The Age of Fighting Sail is a book about the War of 1812, written by a novelist of Napoleonic naval conflicts, C.S. Forester. On its face, the concept is straightforward: A man who made his name writing historical fiction now regales us with true tales, dramatically told. History buff dads all across the Anglosphere will be pleased to find the same dramas, the same heroism and blunders, as in their favorite Horatio Hornblower series—with the added bonus that all events are true.

But I think this isn't actually a book about naval warfare. I think The Age of Fighting Sail is a book about why war breaks out, and why it goes on longer than it ought to. I've been cracking jokes about how maintaining peace between China and the States should be a top EA cause. But like all jokes I'm half serious, and I've been digging into theories of bargaining, diplomacy, and conflict in hopes of understanding the sitch-ops. I'm early in this process, and welcome corrections & commentary from readers who are better informed.