Book cover of War on the Waters: The Union and Confederate Navies, 1861-1865

Book description

Although previously undervalued for their strategic impact because the represented only a small percentage of total forces, the Union and Confederate navies were crucial to the outcome of the Civil War. In War on the Waters, James M. McPherson has crafted an enlightening, at times harrowing, and ultimately thrilling account…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked War on the Waters as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

With the exception of the Monitor vs. Merrimack (CSS Virginia), naval battles get short shrift in Civil War books. McPherson certainly fills that gap with War on the Waters.

Land battles were certainly decisive, but the Union may have lost the war without Gideon Welles and the Navy Department. McPherson’s book was valuable to my research, but more importantly, it was interesting, well-written, and at times fun.

I recommend this book to all those interested in the Civil War, naval battles, technology advancement, or military politics.

If you love War on the Waters...

Ad

Book cover of Aggressor

Aggressor by FX Holden,

It is April 1st, 2038. Day 60 of China's blockade of the rebel island of Taiwan.

The US government has agreed to provide Taiwan with a weapons system so advanced that it can disrupt the balance of power in the region. But what pilot would be crazy enough to run…

Want books like War on the Waters?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like War on the Waters.

Browse books like War on the Waters

Book cover of Mothers of Invention: Women of the Slaveholding South in the American Civil War
Book cover of The Life of Johnny Reb: The Common Soldier of the Confederacy
Book cover of Confederates

Share your top 3 reads of 2025!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,272

readers submitted
so far, will you?

Ad

📚 If you like War on the Waters, you might also like...

Book cover of The Year Mrs. Cooper Got Out More: A Great Wharf Novel

The Year Mrs. Cooper Got Out More by Meredith Marple,

The coastal tourist town of Great Wharf, Maine, boasts a crime rate so low you might suspect someone’s lying.

Nevertheless, jobless empty nester Mallory Cooper has become increasingly reclusive and fearful. Careful to keep the red wine handy and loath to leave the house, Mallory misses her happier self—and so…

Book cover of That First Heady Burn

That First Heady Burn by George Bixley,

Don’t mess with the hothead—or he might just mess with you. Slater Ibáñez is only interested in two kinds of guys: the ones he wants to punch, and the ones he sleeps with. Things get interesting when they start to overlap. A freelance investigator, Slater trolls the dark side of…

5 book lists we think you will like!