Ironclads and Columbiads: The Civil War in North Carolina, The Coast

This book is a great overlay of what happened in Civil War North Carolina. The eastern coast and rivers, as well as the Outer Banks are all given a account. Decent maps that can be expected for some of the least written and talked about battles. From Cushing to Hoke, from Burnside to Lamb, all the commanders and their men are here, well detailed and spoken for. This is the book to wrap alll of North Carolina's coastal Civil War up in one bundle for buffs and non buffs alike. The author has away of wrapping the reader up into the excitement and history that is both real and fascinating. A great read, pick it up!

Growing up in NC, I saw all of the sights along the coast of Civil War importance. I tramped across Fort Fisher and loked out to sea over the ramparts of Fort Macon. I visited Roanoke and climbed the earthworks left over from the burnside expedition. I live in a state which the Civil War changed forever. North Carolina contributed the most soldiers (besides Virginia) to the Southern cause, and quite a few for the North. It is wonderful to see such a well-written book about this state. Even if you are not a North Carolinian, this book will tell you a lot about the Southern war effort. Wilmington, NC was the only port that blockade runners could enter during the latter half of the war, and so most of the South's supplies came through there. This book is a wonderful read, and has a novel-like feel. Great for all Civil War Buffs.

This is one of the most excellent books I have ever read on the subject to the Civil War in North Carolina or any other theatre. It easily grabs your attention early on and holds on to it throughout the remainder of the book. It reads splendidly and the author does an excellent job in describing all aspects. Trotter definitely deserves serious recognition. It should be considered a major contribution to the Civil War reading community and a must for any serious student of the Civil War.

This is a remarkably easy to read history that grabs your attention in the very beginning and never lets up. It reads as easily as a novel and should be a must for lovers of North Carolina.

William Trotter's "Ironclads and Columbiads" is a welcome installment in the series, "The Civil War in North Carolina." It ably summarizes the actions in the eastern part of the state, the Sounds, and the seas off the coast. Great reading, especially if you're a Robert Hoke or Zeb Vance fan.