By Andrew C. A. Jampoler, Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, MD, (2010). Reviewed by Mark Lardas On August 31, 1833 the convict transport Amphitrite ran aground off Boulogne, France. By dawn of the next day, all aboard, except for three crew members, were dead, drowned when the incoming tide swamped the ship and battered the hull
By John Laurence Busch, Hodos Historia, (2010), 726 pp. Reviewed by Mark Lardas On Thursday June 17, 1819 lookouts at the Cape Clear Island semaphore station sent a report to the Royal Navy base at Cork, Ireland that a ship was afire off Cape Clear. A revenue cutter sent to investigate discovered not a vessel
Angus Konstam, Osprey Publishing, (2011), 63 pages. Reviewed by Rear Admiral William J. Holland, Jr., USN, (Ret.) Angus Konstam’s description of Nelson’s advancement easily identifies why he was protected by his seniors and promoted by the Admiralty. He fought and won! Nevertheless this biography is too short to fully describe Nelson’s very complex personality. The
At the 2012 NHF Annual Meeting held on 23 June, two outstanding volunteers were recognized for their contributions towards our mission: Preservation, Education, and Commemoration of Naval History. Captain Roger Jones, USN (Ret), and Charles Bogart, were nominated and approved as the 2011 Naval Historical Foundation Volunteers of the Year. Both have been instrumental in
Edited by John B. Hattendorf and Bruce A. Elleman. Naval War College Press/Government Printing Office (2010). Reviewed By Corbin Williamson Nineteen Gun Salute is a collection of short biographies of American admirals who demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities during their naval service. The admirals were skilled operational and strategic commanders as well as diplomats. The work
The Navy Museum Store will be hosting a two-day used book sale in the Museum Education Center (Building 76) on 27 and 28 June from 0900 – 1400. Please enter through the main Navy Museum entrance on Sicard Street. We have many new titles to choose from and also a variety of rare unused military
By Bernard D. Cole, Naval Institute Press, 2010. Reviewed by Dr. David F. Winkler On the banner on the U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings reads “The Independent Forum of the Sea Services.” This certainly can be said of the Naval Institute Press which offers titles that can educate and influence policy makers. One example is my
By Ed Offley, Basic Books, New York, NY, (2011) Reviewed by Thomas P. Ostrom Ed Offley brings writing and research skills to his book on the World War II Battle of the Atlantic. The conflict featured German submarines (U-boats) versus the combat ships of the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, Britain’s Royal Navy, and the Royal
By Gregory Fremont-Barnes, Osprey Publishing, UK (2011). Reviewed by Captain John A. Rodgaard USN (Ret.) Osprey Publishing’s Campaign Series of books are noted for their concise quality in conveying military history. One of their latest offerings, written by Dr. Gregory Fremont-Barnes, is no exception. Nile 1798: Nelson’s First Great Victory is well laid-out; succinctly written
By Jerry Miller, Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, MD, ( 2010) Reviewed by Charles Bogart This well-written and crafted book is an insider’s look at how the United States’ strategic nuclear weapon stockpile grew from three weapons in 1945 to over 10,000 in 1980 and then began to shrink to its present level of some 2,000.
By Angus Konstam, Osprey Publishing, Oxford, England, (2011). Reviewed by Charles Bogart For the past decade, Osprey Publishing has been producing high quality, well illustrated books on various military affairs. This book is part of their Raid Series and tells the story of Sir Francis Drake’s raid on Spanish possessions in the Caribbean Sea. With
By Hal M. Friedman, Naval War College Press, Newport, RI (2010). Reviewed by Thomas P. Ostrom Hal M. Friedman brings a scholarly background to his naval history writing: associate chair and professor of modern history at Henry Ford Community College in Dearborn, Michigan, and an MA and Ph.D. in political science and international relations. Dr.
By Steven Craig Reynolds, Authorhouse, Bloomington IN (2009) Reviewed by David F. Winkler Whereas a recent blog story featured a Curt Marsh review of David Sears Such Men as These, it is timely to review what could be called a companion book by Steven Craig Reynolds that attempts to answer the question “Where do We
The Navy Museum Store at the Washington Navy Yard, Washington DC, will be hosting a two-day used book sale in the Museum Education Center (Bldg #76) on 8 and 9 March (0900 – 1400). Enter through the main Navy Museum entrance on Sicard St. We have many titles on naval and military history to choose
By David Sears, Da Capo Press, New York, 2010. Reviewed by Col. Curt Marsh, USMC (Ret.) The author, David Sears who is a former U.S. Navy officer and Vietnam War veteran with service aboard destroyers, has presented a well researched book that chronicles the important contribution of naval aviation to the Korean War effort. Sears’
