An important study of institutional response to a new technology that holds lessons for today.
(
Choice 2003)
In this impressively researched and broadly conceived study, William Roberts offers the first comprehensive study of one of the most ambitious programs in the history of naval shipbuilding, the Union's ironclad program during the Civil War. Perhaps more importantly, Roberts also provides an invaluable framework for understanding and analyzing military-industrial relations, an insightful commentary on the military acquisition process, and a cautionary tale on the perils of the pursuit of perfection and personal recognition.
(Robert Angevine
Journal of Military History 2003)
Well researched... Any Civil War scholar or naval historian, regardless of specialty, will find something of interest in the volume.
(James E. Sefton
History: Reviews of New Books 2004)
Well-conceived and well-written... One of the strengths of the book is the author's comparison of ironclad-building efforts with modern military-industrial efforts such as the Polaris Fleet Ballistic missile program.
(David Surdam
EH.Net 2004)
Roberts does an excellent job detailing the rise and fall of the [monitor-building] programs, including the major design elements and changes that contributed to the debacle. He skillfully weaves in the key operations that disclosed the monitors' shortcomings... Every major character involved is presented... Civil War Ironclads is an excellent addition to the literature of the period.
(Donald L. Canney
Nautical Research Journal 2004)
Roberts's study, illuminating on many fronts, is a welcome addition to our understanding of the Union's industrial mobilization during the Civil War and its inadvertent effects on the postwar U.S. Navy.
(William M. McBride
Technology and Culture 2008)
[A] readable and well-researched account of Civil War ironclad production.
(Benjamin Franklin Cooling
Journal of American History 2007)
This is an important book that should be in the library of all those interested in the Civil War at sea.
(Spencer C. Tucker
North and South )
A highly readable study of Civil War ironclad construction that integrates diverse aspects of industrial development, government-industry relations, naval warfare, and engineering. Based on extensive research, Civil War Ironclads provides a vivid and detailed portrait of what was arguably one of the most ambitious naval shipbuilding programs in U.S. history. Roberts draws fascinating connections between military strategy, marine engineering, bureaucratic management, and business strategy.
(Thomas Heinrich, Baruch College )
A valuable read for the specialist in Civil War navies.
(
NYMAS Review )
Civil War Ironclads could easily be a case study to accompany any text in the history of technology or management. Anyone concerned with managing complex technology, of which building warships is still among the most complex, will be able to apply lessons learned.
(Kathy Crewdson and Ian Dew
The Northern Mariner )
"A highly readable study of Civil War ironclad construction that integrates diverse aspects of industrial development, government-industry relations, naval warfare, and engineering. Based on extensive research, Civil War Ironclads provides a vivid and detailed portrait of what was arguably one of the most ambitious naval shipbuilding programs in U.S. history. Roberts draws fascinating connections between military strategy, marine engineering, bureaucratic management, and business strategy."—Thomas Heinrich, Baruch College
