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War on the Waters: The Union and Confederate Navies, 1861-1865 (Littlefield History of the Civil War Era)
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About War On The Waters: The Union And Confederate
Product Description Although previously undervalued for their strategic impact because they represented only a small percentage of total forces, the Union and Confederate navies were crucial to the outcome of the Civil War. In War on the Waters, James M. McPherson has crafted an enlightening, at times harrowing, and ultimately thrilling account of the war's naval campaigns and their military leaders. McPherson recounts how the Union navy's blockade of the Confederate coast, leaky as a sieve in the war's early months, became increasingly effective as it choked off vital imports and exports. Meanwhile, the Confederate navy, dwarfed by its giant adversary, demonstrated daring and military innovation. Commerce raiders sank Union ships and drove the American merchant marine from the high seas. Southern ironclads sent several Union warships to the bottom, naval mines sank many more, and the Confederates deployed the world's first submarine to sink an enemy vessel. But in the end, it was the Union navy that won some of the war's most important strategic victories--as an essential partner to the army on the ground at Fort Donelson, Vicksburg, Port Hudson, Mobile Bay, and Fort Fisher, and all by itself at Port Royal, Fort Henry, New Orleans, and Memphis. Review A welcome addition to the literature. Those new to this aspect of the Civil War will benefit from McPherson's masterful synthesis, while specialists will find his insights equally intriguing.-- The Historian [McPherson] successfully demonstrates the navy's importance to the Union victory in 1865." --H-Net Reviews McPherson's gift is to place this naval scholarship in the larger context of the war. . . . He follows a chronological narrative which enables him to show the ebb and flow of success and failure that characterized the fortunes of both the Union and Confederate navies.-- Canadian Journal of History An outstanding survey by someone who brings to bear a grand knowledge of the complex social/political/military tapestry against which this tale unfolds. . . . An effective, eminently readable introduction to the subject, with good maps to boot.-- United States Naval Institute Readers of Battle Cry of Freedom well may wish to add this sequel to their bookshelf.-- The Washington Times A tremendous addition to Civil War literature, and McPherson has demonstrated his mastery of a new subject.-- Sea History Well-written. . . . A nice summary of the role that both navies played in the Civil War.-- Arkansas Historical Quarterly A concise naval history of the American Civil War.--Shipwreckology blog The book is, quite simply, a superb synthesis. . . . [It is] eloquently written in a spare, direct style with clear and moving descriptions that bring both individuals and events to life.-- International Journal of Maritime History Should be read by anyone who enjoys lucid prose and should be in the library of any Civil War scholar, student, or enthusiast." --Louisiana History Review With all the narrative grace, original scholarship, and equal grasp of both big picture and telling detail, Civil War historian nonpareil James McPherson has provided his admirers with another authoritative entry in his roster of essential books. McPherson never argues that the Union Navy won the Civil War, but readers will argue that no Civil War library will ever be complete without this volume.--Harold Holzer, Chairman, Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Foundation Wonderfully written and researched. . . . Balanced, objective, and highly readable.--Howard Jones, University of Alabama James McPherson's many admirers in the Civil War community will be thrilled that he has turned his keen eye and eloquent pen to the naval war. In this new, concise history of the war at sea, McPherson not only tells an important story well, he shows how the Union Navy, with only five percent of Union military assets, had a disproportionate impact on the war.--Craig L. Symonds, author of
