About the book
Although previously undervalued for their strategic impact because they 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 of the war’s naval campaigns and their military leaders.
McPherson recounts how the Union navy’s blockade of the Confederate coast, leaky as a sieve in the war’s early months, became increasingly effective as it choked off vital imports and exports. Meanwhile, the Confederate navy, dwarfed by its giant adversary, demonstrated daring and military innovation. Commerce raiders sank Union ships and drove the American merchant marine from the high seas. Southern ironclads sent several Union warships to the bottom, naval mines sank many more, and the Confederates deployed the world’s first submarine to sink an enemy vessel. But in the end, it was the Union navy that won some of the war’s most important strategic victories — as an essential partner to the army on the ground at Fort Donelson, Vicksburg, Port Hudson, Mobile Bay, and Fort Fisher, and all by itself at Port Royal, Fort Henry, New Orleans, and Memphis.
Editions of War on the Waters
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780807835883
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780807838150
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781469622842
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469601588
- EBook
- ISBN 9780807837320
- EBook
- ISBN 9798893131062
- PDF
- ISBN 9798890870339
Read an Excerpt
Although previously undervalued for their strategic impact because they 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 of the war’s naval campaigns and their military leaders.
McPherson recounts how the Union navy’s blockade of the Confederate coast, leaky as a sieve in the war’s early months, became increasingly effective as it choked off vital imports and exports. Meanwhile, the Confederate navy, dwarfed by its giant adversary, demonstrated daring and military innovation. Commerce raiders sank Union ships and drove the American merchant marine from the high seas. Southern ironclads sent several Union warships to the bottom, naval mines sank many more, and the Confederates deployed the world’s first submarine to sink an enemy vessel. But in the end, it was the Union navy that won some of the war’s most important strategic victories — as an essential partner to the army on the ground at Fort Donelson, Vicksburg, Port Hudson, Mobile Bay, and Fort Fisher, and all by itself at Port Royal, Fort Henry, New Orleans, and Memphis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is War on the Waters about?
Although previously undervalued for their strategic impact because they 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 of the war’s naval campaigns and their military leaders.
McPherson recounts how the Union navy’s blockade of the Confederate coast, leaky as a sieve in the war’s early months, became increasingly effective as it choked off vital imports and exports. Meanwhile, the Confederate navy, dwarfed by its giant adversary, demonstrated daring and military innovation. Commerce raiders sank Union ships and drove the American merchant marine from the high seas. Southern ironclads sent several Union warships to the bottom, naval mines sank many more, and the Confederates deployed the world’s first submarine to sink an enemy vessel. But in the end, it was the Union navy that won some of the war’s most important strategic victories — as an essential partner to the army on the ground at Fort Donelson, Vicksburg, Port Hudson, Mobile Bay, and Fort Fisher, and all by itself at Port Royal, Fort Henry, New Orleans, and Memphis.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in War on the Waters?
History and Archaeology > History > History of the Americas
Where can I read a sample of War on the Waters?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780807835883
How long is War on the Waters and how many pages does it have?
War on the Waters has 288 page(s)
Is War on the Waters part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series Littlefield History of the Civil War Era
Who is/are the Author/s of the book War on the Waters?
James M. McPherson
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
War on the Waters is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780807835883) and paperback(ISBN 9780807838150) and paperback(ISBN 9781469622842) and ebook(ISBN 9781469601588) and ebook(ISBN 9780807837320) and ebook(ISBN 9798893131062) and pdf(ISBN 9798890870339)
Where can I buy War on the Waters online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy War on the Waters from below
Where can I buy War on the Waters?