Most Americans know 1812 as a war of naval battles and "The Star-Spangled Banner." But in August 1814, a shocking and often forgotten event shook the young republic to its core.

Walk the smoke-filled streets of Washington as British troops, in a daring act of retaliation, put the U.S. government to the torch. Witness the frantic escape of the First Lady, the bravery of clerks saving national treasures, and the humiliating flight of the President.

This is not a distant legend. This is TRUE history, meticulously recounted with gripping detail. Go beyond the textbook and discover the dramatic hours when the fate of the capital—and the nation's pride—hung in the balance.