Customer Reviews

Confederate Mobile

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This is third book of Dr. Bergeron's I added to my large collection of Civil War books. A must have for any serious scholar and the most comprehensive book I've seen on the subject of Mobile during the WBTS. Very fine research job! Bravo.

Some readers will appreciate this concise work about Mobile, Alabama in the Civil War. Others will be disappointed by Art Bergeron's overview style text. If you are the sort of reader that delved deeply into detailed works like Wise's "Gate of Hell, Campaign for Charleston Harbor 1863," Brennan's "Secessionville: Assault on Charleston", Fonvielle's "The Wilmington Campaign", or Dufour's or Hearn's books about New Orleans then you will find "Confederate Mobile" decidedly light. (Fortunately, there is another volume available by Jack Friend that covers the decisive naval action at Mobile in depth.)

"Confederate Mobile" is written largely in a campaign summary format. The writing appears mostly objective with only a slight Southern political bias, and the bibliography indicates deep research; but the book fails to deliver the fruits of the research in a complete or entertaining manner. It does not drill down deeply enough into each subject to give the reader mastery of the topic. Too often the author leaves the rest of the story frustratingly untold, even in the notes.

Maps, tables, and orders of battle are mostly absent. The asterisk is that the Official Records maps are reproduced, but in a reduced grayscale format that blurs text illegibly and clips sections. Some detailed maps of the fortifications are a necessity in this type of work. In this case, even those with the O.R. Atlas will find the material somewhat lacking for Mobile's forts. Other secondary works will be needed to fill in the missing pieces of the puzzle.

The coverage of the Battle of Mobile Bay and subsequent surrenders of each of the forts defending the passes is presented in a scant 14 pages. This is a pity as there are many interesting stories to pursue in this action. There is no list of ships with specifications, gun emplacements, orders of battle, or author's maps.

The blockade running chapter generated only 11 pages. It contained a few insights, but in several ways Wise' book about blockade running covers this in more detail, including tabular lists of vessels arriving and departing from Mobile.

This isn't a bad book, but it isn't very compelling either, so I can't recommend it. Its stinginess with details and maps mean that it does not succeed as a detailed reference.