A Signal Victory: The Lake Erie Campaign, 1812-1813 (Bluejacket Books) [Paperback]

David Curtis Skaggs (Author), Gerard Atloff (Author), Gerard T. Altoff (Author), David Curtis Skaggs (Author), Gerard T. Altoff (Author)

Book Description

Series: Bluejacket Books | Publication Date: May 15, 2000

The Battle of Lake Erie on 10 September 1813 is considered by many to be the most important naval confrontation of the War of 1812. Made famous by the American fleet commander Oliver Hazard Perry's comment, "We have met the enemy and they are ours," the battle marked the U.S. Navy's first successful fleet action and was one of the rare occasions when the Royal Navy surrendered an entire squadron. This book draws on British, Canadian, and American documents to offer a totally impartial analysis of all sides of the struggle to control the lake. New diagrams of the battle are included that reflect the authors' modification of traditional positions of various vessels. The book also evaluates the strategic background and tactical conduct of the British and the Americans and the command leadership exercised by Perry and his British opponent, Commander Robert H. Barclay. Not since James Fenimore Cooper's 1843 book on the subject has the battle been examined in such detail, and not since Alfred Thayer Mahan's 1905 study of the war has there been such a significant reinterpretation of the engagement. First published in hardcover in 1997, the book is the winner of the North American Society for Oceanic History's John Lyman Book Award.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

"We have met the enemy and they are ours," declared Oliver Hazard Perry after his decisive victory over the British navy on Lake Erie in the War of 1812. Authors Gerard Altoff (chief park ranger and historian for the National Park Service at Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial in Ohio) and David Skaggs (a professor at Bowling Green University) provide a detailed account of this great sea battle, which was one of the few events during the War of 1812 that Americans of the time could celebrate. A series of helpful maps shows how ship positions changed on an hour-by-hour basis, and the text provides strategic context and a blow-by-blow description of the encounter. A Signal Victory is a skillful piece of American naval history. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Publisher

Winner of the 1997 John Lyman Book Award for U.S. Naval History, sponsored by the North American Society for Oceanic History.

Product Details

• Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: Naval Institute Press (May 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557508925
• ISBN-13: 978-1557508928
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,045,797 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 'Odds, Bobs, Hammer, and Tongs', August 23, 2000

By 

Kevin F. Kiley - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Signal Victory: The Lake Erie Campaign, 1812-1813 (Hardcover)

This excellent book is the definitive history of this hard-fought, valiant effort by two small fleets fighting each other to the death quite literally in the middle of nowhere, 1813.

Two quickly built naval squadrons, getting men and material for sailor and ships from wherever they could, fought each other to literal annihilation for the loser, and great strategic gains for the victor. Two talented naval officers, Briton Robert H. barclay, and American Oliver Hazard Perry, built their small fleets, manned them with whatever came along (in Perry's case 'a motley set, blacks, soldiers, and boys', including a Marine officer who was given his choice of a court-martial or serving on the northwest frontier-he was later killed in action in the battle, quite gallantly taking his death wound leading his men), and set sail to settle the fate of Lake Erie and its surrounding territory.

The authors tell their tale with wit, verve, and aplomb, from the different characters to the ships and the men that manned them. This volume definitely has the smell of gunpowder about it and is meticulously researched and very well-written. It is highly recommeded both as a valued addition to the literature of the period and a book than can stand on its own.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Splendid history of this monumental battle, January 11, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: A Signal Victory: The Lake Erie Campaign, 1812-1813 (Hardcover)

Skaggs and Altoff have done a terrific job with this almost forgotten piece of North American history. The authors deal not only with the battle itself, but also describe the events that lead to it, and the repercussions of it. The research is meticulous and put forth in a very readable way. This should be required reading for any history buff.

5.0 out of 5 stars We Have Met the Enemy and They Are Ours, December 12, 2011

By 

Peter Jannett (Saint Paul, MN) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Signal Victory: The Lake Erie Campaign, 1812-1813 (Bluejacket Books) (Paperback)

Professor Skaggs shows why he is considered among the preeminent scholars of Great Lakes naval warfare in this excellent work on the legendary Battle of Lake Erie. The geopolitical setup is serviceable, if shallow in its discussion of the larger conflict of 1812, but in setting the specific stage for Great Lakes naval operations he excels. The characters are a strong point and Professor Skaggs doesn't shy away from portray Commodore Perry as both a brave and brilliant commander and a gentleman who was highly sensitive about his reputation and his honor, even to the point of interference in his legacy and operations. Jessy Elliot receives fair treatment, I feel, and while Professor Skaggs certainly takes Perry's side, I don't feel that he does so out of an unjustified bias.

Overall, I found this book riveting, thoughtful, concise, and fairminded. A difficult combination to muster, but Professor Skaggs is more than equal to the task of fine history writing.