Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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".

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.