From Offshore, This War Looks Completely Different

Whether the fault of historians or--much more likely--my own misperceptions, Civil War naval operations have always seemed a sideshow to me, with even the capture of New Orleans overshadowed by the “real” war on dry land. As James McPherson makes clear, people at the time saw things very differently. News of New Orleans sent our otherwise sober-sided ambassador to Britain dancing about his office.

It’s easy to see why the navy’s role in victory is so overlooked; after all, there were no commodores at Appomattox. Be that as it may, McPherson’s narrative, uninterrupted by maneuvers on land (except when they correlate with naval operations), makes it clear just how much the sailors did to bring Appomattox about. Between hard fighting and tedious blockade duty, they managed to hand in a record of more successes than failures--in sharp contrast to the army, at least in the eastern Theater--and were a year ahead of the soldiers in the recruitment of freed slaves, whose services as pilots and gunners were highly prized and praised.

On both sides, there’s an entirely different cast of characters to meet, too; McPherson does a fine job of bringing each, with their particular fortes and failings, into sharper focus. While not the only book ever written about the naval side of the Civil War, this certainly has to be one of the most engaging and intelligent. Joe Barrett, whom I’ve known as a reader of fiction, hands in his usual excellent performance. True, his voicing of certain figures may, at times, seem a little over-the-top, but his air of comfortable affability makes you feel as if you and he are in this thing together.

3 people found this helpful

Mainly Union. Good Info. Enjoyable Reader.

Would you consider the audio edition of War on the Waters to be better than the print version?

I didnt read the print version

What did you like best about this story?

I enjoyed learning about how Lincoln and his admirals interacted. And how the evolution of the ships of war changed the landscape

Have you listened to any of Joe Barrett’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is my first

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

How technology & good Leadership won a war

Any additional comments?

I wouldnt get this book if the idea of a history book might seem boring to you. I knew nothing about the naval histories of the Civil War's belligerents outside of the Monitor and the Merrimac. So, most of the book was a learning experience for me. And, since history is one of my favorite subjects, it was an enjoyable experience.

2 people found this helpful

Quick review of War on the Waters

An interesting review of US and confederate naval operations. The focus is more on strategy and broad movements with a moderate level of detail on distinct battles and key individuals. The book provides an understanding of the challenges faced by the union in blockading a tremendously long coast and some of the technological innovations developed during the war. The reader will likely leave the story with a better understanding of the difficulties faced by each side and how the Union ultimately strangled the confederate states naval and trade efforts.

1 person found this helpful

excellent starting off point

excellent starting off point for those with an interest in Civil War naval ops. Well written and briskly narrated, I highly recommend this for the casual civil war buff.

1 person found this helpful

Good study on naval civil war influence

This a great, somewhat concise study in the navy's influence on tw civil war, the maritime technology that came out of the conflict, and the responsiveness of each side to the complications of a country fighting itself: mainly becoming a naval war largely on the rivers instead of the seas. I intend on reading(listening) to another of McPherson's books.

1 person found this helpful

great overview of the sea war.

it's a solid book that is included in the Premium membership, so why not listen if you're interested.

Very easy to listen but very educational

Excellent perspective on a VERY overlooked part of the war. I’ve read dozens of civil war books over the decades but this one educated me

Very informative

If you don’t know about the naval warfare during the Civil War and you think you know something about Civil War history, you don’t. I highly recommend this book. It has added an important layer to my understanding are the different elements That led to the union victory in the Civil War.

Outstanding Read

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Fascinating to learn of the involvement of Navy strategies and the Men involved.

A good listen

Important counter-balance to the focus on the land war aspects of the American civil war. A bit narrowly focused on the civil war; some background on the American navy prior to 1860 (e.g., why no admirals prior to the civil war?) and some discussion of the fate of the innovations of the civil war navies after 1865 (e.g., torpedoes and ironclads) would have been welcome added dimensions.