Customer Reviews

Secrets Of A Civil War Submarine: Solving The Mysteries Of The H. L. Hunley

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3 star:		(1)
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Civil War buffs, 21st Century scientists, teachers, archaeologists, and readers looking for a good "yarn" alike will be absolutely riveted by this book. In the most comprehensive telling of the H.L. Hunley story yet to date, Walker's extensive research includes a variety of primary sources such as letters, African American testimony from Naval Court inquiries, and family photos to highlight the Civil War era - the "first" part of the story. Next, through a subtle color in pages of the text, Walker continues the story in modern times, detailing the 2000 raising of the sunken submarine. Color photographs showing every step of the recovery and excavation (including new scientific technologies), and thorough explanations by the actual recovery divers make this a unique "you-are-there" kind of book. A poignant end to the story is the facial reconstruction of Hunley's crew, and photographs of the funeral caisson taking the crew members to their final resting place in Charleston's Magnolia Cemetary.

I found this book to be very well written and researched on the subject of CSS Hunley and its recovery from the bottom of the sea. The book covers the development of this boat, history of its crew, mission and possible aftermath. Then the book goes on to the history of the search for the Hunley and its discovery and recovery from the ocean floor. Upon its recovery, the book uncovers what lies within the boat. (I used the word "boat" since that is what the submariners called their vessels.)

I think the best part about this book is that the author write down a lot of information without getting tedious or bogging the reader down with too much information. The amount of stuff revealed in this book proves to be just right for anyone to get into the subject and enjoyed. The book proves to be well illustrated and comes with many colorful photographs that proves to be helpful and revealing. Anyone reading this book will come away with a very good understanding of CSS Hunley and her recovery from the sea and subsequence discoveries that followed.

Highly recommended for anyone who got a slightest interest in the naval technology, Civil War era or just in the Hunley itself.

Secrets Of A Civil War Submarine, by Sally Walker, provides a nice, quick overview of the Hunley's history, recovery, excavation, and conservation. Targeting the late grade-school reader, the book is written in the style of and at a similar level to a National Geographic article. Any reader will enjoy it and come away with a good understanding of the Hunley project. There are a few detail mistakes, such as in an explanation of neutral buoyancy, but the main point is always delivered successfully by the text. I've been studying material on the Hunley since 2000, but I found several important bits of information I haven't seen elsewhere. The explanation of archaeological techniques as applied in the Hunley excavation is the best I've read. The book is nicely illustrated, although most of the photos have been previously published, and the interpretive drawings contain some fairly large inaccuracies. Overall, I'm happy to have this in my collection of books about the Hunley and I'm glad to recommend it.

Out of all the books i read this book had to be on my top ten most favorite books.This book was the most entertaining for all ages.This book was about a confederate submarine that was built to destroy the union blockade which was stoping other ships from porting to trade goods and many other objects.So there was a man thats name was Horace Hunley he was the man behind the sub.The sub was named the hunley after horace built it.That was the beggining of a legend.

This is a great photographic account of the raising and restoration of The CSS Hunley. An outstanding coffee table book for the civil war historian. While it excells in visual representations it unfortunately falls short in narrative, leaving the reader wishing for more (for that read "Raising The Hunley")

SECRETS OF A CIVIL WAR SUBMARINE: "Solving the Mysteries of the H.L. Hunley" By Sally M. Walker won the Robert F. Sibert Medal and the Notable Award from the Association for Library Service to Children. Although the history of the submarines dates back to the 1620's, in 1864 the Hunley Submarine was the first submarine to ever sink an enemy ship, but the Hunley never returned to port and was lost for decades. "How the submarine, which lay buried in the mud of the ocean floor, left her bed there and what happened is a fascinating story of mystery, bones, and gold." The sub is now in North CHarleston, SC at the Warren Lasch Conservation Center. In the 1870's PT Barnum offered $10,000 for finding the Hunley, which had silently delivered a torpedo which sank a Union ship blockcading the coast of South Carolina. The Hunley was re-discovered in 1995 by archeologists. This fascinating book for young people is just as interesting and informative for adults in that it details in simple language and good photos the study of the layers of sediment for clues about the ship's sinking and about the demise of the passengers. All the archeology, history, forensics, discovery, and mystery solving are presented in an engaging way involving the intrigues of the sea and science. This is a terrific book for family or schools, good explanations, well written, and easy to read

Attractively illustrated book, for adolescent readers, that tells the story of the Confederate submarine Hunley and then quickly dives into describing the recovery and preservation of this vessel. Compelling text tells the various phases of the Hunley story and keeps it interesting. Over half of the book is on the recovery and preservation effort and what this has taught researchers about the boat and its last crew. Illustrated with period photos, documents and paintings, along with modern photos of the recovered boat and its contents, recreations of the crews faces and original artwork illustrating the operation of the Hunley.

Heroes: archaeologists, and the Hunley's crews for bravery in operating such a craft

Boat: CS Hunley

Location: South Carolina, USA

Category: juvenile, historical wreck preservation

Technical content: Light

The story of the Hunley and its mysterious disappearance has always intrigued me. This book, however, is largely the story of the sub's rediscovery and recovery. Well-written and illustrated, the book answers many questions related to the lost sub... as well as a few new mysteries.

Secrets of a Civil War Submarine was written as a book for young adults but is also a good introduction to the topic for someone who is just becoming interested in the subject. An easy read.

This is a great story, and each part separately is great, but, together, they make an amazing whole.
The H.L. Hunley was the first submarine to sink another ship, early in 1864, in Charleston Harbor. Built to help the beleagured Confederacy, she was long, narrow and brilliantly designed. Not brilliantly enough, however. Her successful mission was also her last, and she sank into the deep, facing an even longer wait that the Titanic for rediscovery.
Great photographs, compelling reading.

I bought this book for a Christmas gift, and it was well-received and well-read during the holidays.