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…
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.
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