The Battle of the Ironclads (VA) (Civil War History Series) [Paperback]

John V. Quarstein (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1999

Battle of the Ironclads brings to life the dramatic events which occurred in Hampton Roads on March 8 and 9, 1862. This first battle between armored vessels, often called the Monitor-Merrimack engagement, is perhaps the most significant naval event of the entire Civil War. This thrilling history is the first volume to offer a comprehensive pictorial interpretation of the men and ships that forever changed naval warfare. Over 150 images, including photographs, engravings, paintings, and sketches, have been gathered from museums, archives, and private collections to chronicle the exciting story of the U.S.S. Monitor and the C.S.S. Virginia (Merrimack). While Battle of the Ironclads is a visual history of the first battle between armored ships, it is also a saga of uncommon valor and leadership epitomized by Franklin Buchanan, George U. Morris, Samuel Dana Greene, and John Taylor Wood. The brilliant innovations of John Mercer Brooke and the farsighted inventions of John Ericsson made this showdown in Hampton Roads a death for wooden sailing ships. Battle of the Ironclads is indeed an epic tale that tells how steam-powered iron vessels not only influenced the Civil War, but more importantly, how the two ironclads echoed the dawn of modern navies.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John V. Quarstein, an award-winning historian and director of the Virginia War Museum, created this volume along with photographic editors Sarah Goldberger, J. Michael Moore, and Tim Smith. Together they have documented, with word and image, the powerful stories of heroism and technology that made the Monitor-Virginia duel a battle that revolutionized naval warfare.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Arcadia Publishing (August 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738501131
• ISBN-13: 978-0738501130
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,984,606 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The second most definitive book, November 28, 2003

By 

John A. Lefcourte (Reno, NV USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Battle of the Ironclads (VA) (Civil War History Series) (Paperback)

I've been a Civil War Buff for over forty years and first read about the battle in a Random House Landmark book, as a kid. This book is one of the best I've read on the subject and one of the best Civil War books, I've read. (I'll have to check others in the same series.) The text is superb, very detailed, and the collection of period photographs, illustrations and maps is terrific and bring the event and participants to life. Despite the fact that both sides realized the importance of ironclads and built many of them (more by the industrial north, of course) this was the only battle of the Civil War in which ironclads opposed each other. It's also interesting to note that the C.S.S Virginia (known to the north as the Merrimack, the Union frigate whose hull was used by the Confederates) caused the biggest defeat and loss of life to the U.S Navy until Pearl Harbor. My only complaint is that the book does not credit the primary sources from which the information was obtained.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a jem, July 29, 2002

By 

"margean" (galesburg, mi USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Battle of the Ironclads (VA) (Civil War History Series) (Paperback)

As a old (but still working) librarian, I think it will be THE book on its subject for Civil War buffs, historians, future novelists and movie-makers. Besides the exciting text, the superb range of Appendices and the Index provide answers to every possible question of who, what, where, when, and why. I especially liked the appendices of the designers and commanders with their expanded background on these "movers and shakers".

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Author Not only Knows the Ships but the Battle Site Too, May 17, 2004

By 

Daniel Hurley (Chesapeake, VA.) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Battle of the Ironclads (VA) (Civil War History Series) (Paperback)

Quarstein grew up virtually amidst the river battlefield of the Monitor and Merrimack. He lived at Fort Monroe at the mouth of the James and he is the director of the Virginia War Museum in Newport News a mere 1 mile from the Merrimacks attack of the US Congress and Cumberland. Great description of the huge Merrimack (CSA Virginia)with its large crew, bickering builders, balky engines and a slow moving and hard to turn ship. Ouarstein outlines the ships strengths and weaknesses including its unplated water line. The Monitor is described as quicker and more efficient with its turrent but it has its own weakness to shot. Both ships are not very sea worthy with the Merrimack unable to run in modestly deep water. Quarstein also gives you the total theater of war as the Merrimack slows McClellan and interferes with his use of the James. Although they never again meet in combat after their intial engagement, Quarstein describes a month long stalking of the two as Merrimack guards Norfolk and the entrance to the James while the Monitor stays in the bay waiting to lure the Merrimack out to the heavy guns of the forts and ships. Well told with quality pictures and maps. Fascinating failure of the CSA army to support the Merrimack leaving it to total destruction when it could have been saved.