Editorial Reviews
Review
"In this impressively researched and broadly conceived study, William Roberts offers the first comprehensive study of one of the most ambitious programs in the history of naval shipbuilding, the Union's ironclad program during the Civil War. Perhaps more importantly, Roberts also provides an invaluable framework for understanding and analyzing military-industrial relations, an insightful commentary on the military acquisition process, and a cautionary tale on the perils of the pursuit of perfection and personal recognition." -- Robert Angevine, Journal of Military History
"Well researched... Any Civil War scholar or naval historian, regardless of specialty, will find something of interest in the volume." -- James E. Sefton, History: Reviews of New Books
"An important study of institutional response to a new technology that holds lessons for today." -- Choice
"Well-conceived and well-written... One of the strengths of the book is the author's comparison of ironclad-building efforts with modern military-industrial efforts such as the Polaris Fleet Ballistic missile program." -- David Surdam, EH.Net
"Roberts does an excellent job detailing the rise and fall of the [monitor-building] programs, including the major design elements and changes that contributed to the debacle. He skillfully weaves in the key operations that disclosed the monitors' shortcomings... Every major character involved is presented... Civil War Ironclads is an excellent addition to the literature of the period." -- Donald L. Canney, Nautical Research Journal
"Roberts's study, illuminating on many fronts, is a welcome addition to our understanding of the Union's industrial mobilization during the Civil War and its inadvertent effects on the postwar U.S. Navy." -- William M. McBride, Technology and Culture
"[A] readable and well-researched account of Civil War ironclad production." -- Benjamin Franklin Cooling, Journal of American History
"This is an important book that should be in the library of all those interested in the Civil War at sea." -- Spencer C. Tucker, North and South
Review
"A highly readable study of Civil War ironclad construction that integrates diverse aspects of industrial development, government-industry relations, naval warfare, and engineering. Based on extensive research, Civil War Ironclads provides a vivid and detailed portrait of what was arguably one of the most ambitious naval shipbuilding programs in U.S. history. Roberts draws fascinating connections between military strategy, marine engineering, bureaucratic management, and business strategy." -- Thomas Heinrich, Baruch College
Civil War Ironclads : The U.S. Navy and Industrial Mobilization (Johns Hopkins Studies in the History of Technology)
Civil War Ironclads: The U.S. Navy and Industrial Mobilization (Johns Hopkins Studies in the History of Technology),William H. Roberts,The Johns Hopkins University Press,0801868300,19th century,Armored vessels,Civil War, 1861-1865,History,History - U.S.,Industrial mobilization,Marine engineering,Military,Military - Naval,Military - Other,Military Science,Naval History - Modern,Naval Operations,United States,United States - Civil War,American history: c 1800 to c 1900,Health & Fitness / General,History of engineering & technology,Naval forces & warfare,Shipbuilding technology & engineering,USA,c 1800 to c 1900
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