More than 60;000 books have been published on the Civil War. Most Americans; though; get their ideas about the war--why it was fought; what was won; what was lost--not from books but from movies; television; and other popular media. In an engaging and accessible survey; Gary W. Gallagher guides readers through the stories told in recent film and art; showing how these stories have both reflected and influenced the political; social; and racial currents of their times.
#819335 in Books The University of North Carolina Press 1996-11-18Ingredients: Example IngredientsOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 1.26 x 6.48 x 9.57l; #File Name: 0807822949348 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Getting to May Day! Takes forever in The Alabama the KearsargeBy John J. BaileyThe Alabama the Kearsarge is an important book in the history of the civil war for sure. But ; it is full of details about every trip the two ships made in their lives and what then men did on leave; on their boats; in their lives; to the most infinite detail. It takes until page 247 before the two ships meet and the battle I wanted to ready about takes place. The Alabama was a hugely successful CSA battle ship that did much damage to the Union and its efforts. It's record of accomplishments should be celebrated more and...then...it is sunk by a more gallant and successful ship reperesenting the Union. Down; sunk; gone forever. Thank you very much; over and out. Did I say GONE! I care less about what the sailors did and how many drinks they had and or how many bar fights they had then what they did against each other. I will keep the book as part of my civil war library but will not read it again.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Well Researched If Sometimes Ponderous Life At SeaBy David GarrettMost works on the Civil War at sea deal with river operations or the clash of ironclads at Hampton Rhodes. Marvel takes us on a world cruise as the Confederate commerce raider Alabama plays global cat-and-mouse with all manner of American merchant ships; Federal warships and the assorted foreign tradesman. This is an extremely well researched book. Endnotes include both Alabama's and Kearsarge's ships' rosters (including nationality and ultimate disposition). There is a glossary of naval terminology and 31 pages of notes. The text includes 19 pages of photographs and three maps; the last a tactical illustration of the duel off the French coast. No diagrams or detailed descriptions of the ships themselves.The subtitle - The Sailor's Civil War - captures the book's essence. Blending logs; letters; and personal accounts; this author gives insight into the life of a mid-19th Century sailor. The first few chapters give some look into the ships' construction. However; most of the first 18 chapters (243 pages) are devoted (ad nauseum) to the names of crewmen; how they came to join a given ship's company; ports of call; and their frequent misconduct. These same chapters are sprinkled with stories of each of Alabama's conquests and both ships' breakdowns and repairs; deception on the high-seas and how neutral nations managed combatants. The author; for example; conveys that steam propulsion was anything but highly reliable technology (a bit akin to a 1980's PC user dealing with DOS).This is a scholarly work. But; in respectful disagreement with an earlier reviewer; I did not find Marvel's style lively and only enthralling in spurts. At points it becomes tedious; as Marvel is intent on presenting every name and fact on his research pile. The repetition and detail begins to detract from the broader theme; as I found myself scanning later chapters as the names of sailors; ports and captured ships changed but not the story. Rather than a chronological approach; alternating stories between vessels; it may have made for more engaging reading to develop single chapters devoted to life at sea; sailor conduct and discipline; the tenous nature of steam technology; deceptive tactics (e.g.; flying a neutral's collars); neutral national protocol; etc. As it stands the reader is tempted to ask him- or herself; "Haven't I read this before... what's next?"Let's be clear. The focus is life at sea during the Civil War; and a chronicle of the travels of the two principal warships. In this the book succeeds albeit at length. One caution: readers longing for details on the climatic battle between CSS Alabama and USS Kearsarge must wait until the final two chapters (43 pages). Once there; the engagement is covered in a mere seven pages (250-256). And those seeking detail about Alabama or Kearsarge; or the latter's subsequent service and fate following the war must look elsewhere.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. The book provides a good insight into the daily lives sailors in both the ...By John A. FornshellThis account of the war time activities of these two vessels is well written and documented..The book provides a good insight into the daily lives sailors in both the Union and Confederate Navies. The authors misuse of nautical expressions such as "The Roaring Forties" detracts slightly from the narrative. This is more than compensated for by the careful and scholarly treatment of the subject. The book is one of the best histories of Civil War naval action.
