Customer Reviews

Visual Dictionary of the Civil War

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Because of the high praise and rave reviews I had previously seen, I expected a lot from this book. To some extent, it delivered, but in many ways, it failed miserably. The cover is a good example. On the cover there is a picture of a gun, with the label, 'Spencer Carbine.' Well, it is actually a Sharp's carbine. There also is a knapsack photograph on the cover, and in the label, an arrow points to the leather bedroll. Well, again for those who know, it is not leather, but it is a rubberized gum blanket, which was standard issue to Union soldiers.

Since this book made two obvious, and elementary mistakes on the cover, I cannot give it any type of positive review. Some of the other photos and info are interesting, and it does show some things seldom seen. It would be of interest to the novice, but to those in the know, various other factual errors also occur throughtout the book. If these mistakes could be corrected, I would give it a high review. Otherwise, all I can do is say that I was extremely disappointed. It is difficult to educate with incorrect information. Maybe I am being too harsh, but that is how I see it.

I purchased this book when I was looking for something that would illustrate the different artillery pieces and guns used in the War Between the States. I must have looked at 20 different books in local bookstores but could never find exactly what it was I wanted. I like this book because it gives a basic diagram of the article being shown. Even though I know the parts of a gun and the way they work, I like to see that information spelled out so there's no confusion.

If you have even a passing interest in what life was like for the common soldier, this book should be on your bookshelf!

I purchased this book as a gift for the young son of a friend of mine who has recently become interested in the Civil War. Fortunately, I decided to read it, and after discovery of the errors previously cited( by my predecessor on this review )on the dust jacket, I delved into the book itself, where I proceeded to find nearly one hundred errors of various types, some leaving out information,such as not identifying rifled artillery shells, others giving false or incomplete information such as a model l840 heavy dragoon or cavalry saber being called a light cavalry saber(m1860). Other errors are far too numerous to cite here, but include a surgeon's "mallet" with the implication that the "hatchet edge for cutting away bone" was intended to chop, when the "Heyes saw", it's proper name, has saw teeth and is used in an entirely different manner. So it goes throughout the book, with error piled upon error until it's value, even with the superb photos of nice relics, artistic layout and good narrative, is greatly reduced. One would almost wish for a magic wand to correct the copies in the store before they are bought by the unsuspecting public.

I should point out that these are not just my opinions, but those of others with whom I have shared the book as well, and some are more experienced in the field than I, though I've been collecting and studying the Civil War for 45 years. Certainly a revision is to be hoped for, as the book could be of value as an introductory volume especially if some of the more basic items, such as a Parrott rifled cannon or 3inch ordnance rifle(its ordinance in the book)were pictured, and the mistakes in word use and/or spelling corrected.

The photographs in this book seem to jump off the page and grab the readers attention. Interesting facts and stories surround the pictures and add a personal touch to complement the interesting historical facts. From a picture of an actual flattened cannonball that had been shot at the Merrimac to a soldier's letter to home to the jacket of Major Merwin with the missing right sleeve the real life details makes the reader feel like they are experiencing a part of history. This book is ideal for the Civil War buff or to interest the student just beginning to learn about it.