The Union Prison at Fort Delaware: A Perfect Hell on Earth [Hardcover]

Brian Temple (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0786414804 | ISBN-13: 978-0786414802 | Publication Date: April 2003

Located on Pea Patch Island at the entrance to the Delaware River, Fort Delaware was built to protect Wilmington and Philadelphia in case of an attack by sea. When the Civil War broke out, Fort Delaware's purpose changed dramatically--it became a prisoner of war camp. By the fall of 1863, about 12,000 soldiers, officers, and political prisoners were being held in an area designed to hold only 4,000--and known as the "Andersonville of the North," a place where terrible sickness and deprivation were a way of life despite the commanding general's efforts to keep the prison clean and the prisoners fed. Many books have been written about the Confederacy's Andersonville and its terrible conditions, but comparatively little has been written about its counterparts in the North. The conditions at Fort Delaware are fully explored, contemplating what life was like for prisoners and guards alike.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"an interesting regional history...useful...recommended" --Choice --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Brian Temple has had book reviews and articles published in America's Civil War, The Scream Factory, Command and Fencers Quarterly Magazine. He lives in New Jersey. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 183 pages
• Publisher: McFarland & Company (April 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786414804
• ISBN-13: 978-0786414802
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 7.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,920,523 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Intriguing look at a dark time in our nation's history, November 16, 2006

By 

Vandelay Industries "Vandelay Industries" (Sam's Town) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Union Prison at Fort Delaware: A Perfect Hell on Earth (Hardcover)

The Union Prison at Fort Delaware: A Perfect Hell on Earth by Brian Temple is one of those books that should be required reading. Author Temple, obviously a history scholar, relates tales and information about the prisoners at Fort Delaware in a genuinely interesting manner. For those of us who have the former prison at Fort Delaware in literally our own backyard, we all can fathom what it was like to be there, but for those halfway across the country, or world, this book is a damn good substitute.