1975 #File Name: B00CF4DDY4
Review
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful. So Far the Best TextBy John A. LefcourteI reviewed "The Battle Of The Ironclads" by Quarstein and called it the best book that I'd read on the Monitor and Virginia/Merrimack. That was before reading this book. This book has more source material and; consequently; more detail and is a better text. "The Battle Of The Ironclads" has more contemporary illustrations so both books complement each other in some ways. Despite the additional source material there are strange omissions in Davis' book; for one he does not mention why the Navy Department disliked Erickson: "The Princeton" affair wherein a gun; not designed by Erickson; blew up killing some high govenment officials when tested on the Princeton; a ship designed by Erickson; and Erickson was blamed for the deaths. Davis also casually mentions that the Confederacy was working on an ironclad called the Richmond when the Confederates abandoned the Norfolk Boatyard. In fact; work was proceeding on both the Richmond and Virginia simultaneously and it is possible that the Virginia could have been completed earlier with more devastating affect on the Union fleet if all work had concentrated on her.Davis' work is the more scholarly of the two with an index and list of references. Either one is a great read with much detail and the true student of the Battle or of the Civil War will want to read both.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. This one is pretty darn good!By Watchmandu reviewsVery well researched. Interesting story; that illuminates the character of the men involved as well as the nuts and bolts of the iron clads. The writing is a little stilted. Overall; an informative; enjoyable read.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. One of the bestBy Michael BeckOne of the very best books on this subject that I have read in a long time. Started reading and could hardly put it down. I like Davis; he is a good writer on Civil War.
