DOC Monitor: The Story of the Legendary Civil War Ironclad and the Man Whose Invention Changed the Course of History by James Tertius Dekay in History

Review

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. A Good but Lite ReadBy Roger YepsenThe best aspect of this small volume may be that the story of the first North American ironclads is told well enough that the reader is left wanting to learn more. The author does a particularly good job of placing the Monitor in a historical context; rather than focus solely on the machine and its epic battle with the Confederates' Virginia (better known to both sides of the conflict by its original name; the Merrimac). But the one map in the edition I have; published by Walker; is nearly illegible; and the account of the men and the battle are spare compared with an earlier treatment; Duel Between the First Ironclads; by naval historian William C. Davis-- a highly readable book that does a remarkable job of bringing the participants to life.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. This is a wonderful little bookBy Dallas Sub SailorThis is a wonderful little book; and when I say little I me literally a little book; i.e.; less than half the size of regular book. But as they say; good things sometimes come in small packages. The Monitor was designed by John Ericsson. Ericsson was born in Sweden; but later became an American citizen. Even a child it was obvious that he was a true mechanical prodigy. The design and construction of the Monitor was just one of his many inventions.The Monitor was the fist U.S. warship built entirely of iron plate. The Monitor's crew lived and worked below decks; much the same as on a submarine. As a matter of necessity; Ericsson developed a sewage disposal system that was subsequently adapted for use on submarines. Human waste was emptied into a holding tank. The tank was then shut off with a valve and the refuse pumped into the ocean. On later day submarines; it was blown out to sea using high pressure air.The biggest drawback to the Monitor; which later proved to be fatal; was that it was not sea worthy or at least not in heavy seas. The original Monitor sank in a gale off Cape Hatteras in December of 1862. Most of the crew was saved; but sixteen crew members were lost at sea. In its short life the Monitor changed the nature of naval warfare. It marked an end to wooden war ships and the fighting sail.The book is a quick and informative read. Mr. Dekay has a clear and concise writing style. I have now read three of his books. The latest being Roosevelt's Navy. I have yet to be disappointed.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. The Historic Battle of the Ironclads at Hampton RoadsBy Borowy26Civil War enthusiasts have an almost inexhaustible bibliography list of books to choose from. I would rate this slim and spare volume highly. The author has mastered the primary and secondary sources and compiled a concise account that is filled with a wealth of interesting details despite the brevity of the text (approximately 228 pages; including notes).According to the author; the battle between the Monitor and the Merrimac (officially renamed "The Virginia" after its being salvaged and refitted by the South) was every bit as important as the subsequent Battle at Gettysburg in determining the outcome of the conflict. After finishing this account of the historic clash between the two ironclads; I am inclined to agree with that assessment.Although naval history is not my particular strong suit; the author made this book understandable and thoroughly engaging. I learned a great deal about the competition between the Union and Confederate navies to equip an ironclad ship quickly to assert their national perogatives and to obtain European recognition of their military goals. The North wanted to blockade the Confederacy while the South wanted to demonstrate its naval power in a desperate bid to gain diplomatic recognition from Great Britain and France.