Why read War on the Waters?

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…

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American history

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Why read it?

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

James D. Best

Author

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.

From James' 3 favorite reads in 2023.