Spencer Tucker examines the importance of the Union and Confederate navies during the Civil War, making use of recent scholarship as well as the memoirs of participants to provide a complete perspective for the general reader and enough detail to hold the interest of the specialist.

Tucker closely examines the two navies at the beginning of the war, and then takes a close look at the war itself, including the Union blockade, riverine warfare in the Western theatre, Confederate commerce raiders, and the Union campaigns against New Orleans, Charleston and Vicksburg. Fourteen maps and a glossary of terms help readers follow the text.

About the Author
Spencer C. Tucker held the John Biggs Chair of Military History at the Virginia Military Institute for six years until his retirement. He is the author of twenty-five books, including the award winning Stephen Decatur: A Life Most Bold and Daring.