This book was written by F. van Wyck Mason, published in 1980, the narrative is 339 pages and is not illustrated. Subtitled "A Novel of the Civil War", the late van Wyck Mason's farewell novel is as blood and thunderous as ever. It is an enjoyable rickety plot riveted together with period detail and delivered in a tone of lofty care for fact. Lieutenant's David Dexter and Ira Thatcher are returning from embassy duty in Europe and meet in Bermuda, where they report of naval preparedness in England and France, especially regarding ironclad ships. It seems that the Confederate Navy is converting the Merrimac into a submersible armored giant, a ship that will be invincible against Abe Lincoln's "paper blockade". In response, the US Navy is building the Monitor, and even an unknowledgeable reader will know that these two ironclad underwater battleships are fated to meet in ringing combat. This book is a likable, rugged, old fashioned historical novelizing , best best in it's vivid picture of life aboard the ironclads. This hard back book, once in a Michigan library is in very good, used condition, with a dust cover in good condition.

Item # AA2056