A massive book this!
Recently acquired on a trip out to the fabulous used book mecca of Sydney BC this book is nearly 3 kg of awesomeness!
Originally published as a set of five annual paperbacks for the US Department of the Navy for the Centenary of the Civil War, starting in 1961 and continuing until 1965, each volume covered one year of the conflict. A further volume published in 1966 contained a detailed index and a collection of eye witness accounts and other details to support the previous volumes. My copy was published as a single consolidated volume in 1971 and is in mint condition.
Clocking in at over 1000 pages this book is filled with photos, maps, diagrams and detailed accounts of nearly every naval action of the Civil War. A true treasure for anyone interested in the Civil War but also a fascinating look at the transition from sail to steam, from the old "Wooden Ships and Iron Men" of the Napoleonic era to the age of steam and armour that defined the shifting technological world of the Navy in the 19th Century.
The photos are reproduced in fairly good detail, if a little dark, and the text is also illustrated with period maps and photos of actual documents, diaries, letters and sketches.
Definitely not a good book to try to read in bed unless you have a block and tackle to hold it though!
Keep your sightglass full your firebox trimmed and your water iced.
KJ
Title
Civil War Naval Chronology
Author
Various
Publisher
Naval History Division
US Department of the Navy
Date
1961-66
Consolidated volume 1971
American Civil War Naval Chronology 1861-1865
~ 1 comments: ~
at: October 18, 2013 at 9:18 PM said...
Hi Kevin: Those used bookstore finds are often priceless and you have a really fine one. I may call on you for info one day.
The other day I was wondering how to branch off into a better ending for the sequel to Steam and Strategem (Tyche Books) and picked up a book I had on my shelves that I hadn't looked at for years. Entitled "The First Bellerophon" it has priceless info about the Napoleonic war---and what I needed---details of Napoleon's second abdication in 1815 when he tried to get a Passport from the Brits to go to America---and wound up having to surrender himself to the Bellerophon instead.
Best......Chris H.
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