From the volume's preface: "An account is given [in this volume] of the perils of the country immediately succeeding the Revolution; the struggles of the new nation with the allied powers of British and Indians in the Northwest; the origin and growth of political parties in the United States, and their relations to the War of 1812; the influence of the French Revolution and French politics in giving complexion to parties in this country; the first war with the Barbary Powers; the effects of the wars of Napoleon on the public policy of the United States; the Embargo and kindred acts, and the kindling of the war in 1812."

This volume is bound in half leather with marbled paper-covered boards, gilt lettering to the spine, and five raised bands. The book shows external wear, with rubbing and light bumping to the covers and extremities, vertical cracking along the spine edges, and a few chips to the spine cover. The text block is firm, with outer edges displaying age toning and scattered soiling. The hinges have been reinforced. A small chip is present to the fore edge of the endpapers, which are brittle. A blind stamp is present on the frontispiece and title page, and reappears at page 1035. The volume is otherwise clean and bright, with only a few pages showing creases. This volume is profusely illustrated, with two frontispieces, one of which is vividly colored, and in-text illustrations, including maps of battle sites, portraits of officers, and historiated initials. This work includes an index.