The Civil War of 1861-65 was one of the defining moments in the history of America. The Blockade of the US Southern ports during the war is well known. Less well known; however; is the role that Scotland played in this aspect of the conflict - almost 40 per cent of the ships were Scottish. This should not be surprising; however: at the time the fastest ships in the world were Clydebuilt; so it was natural that the Confederacy should turn to Scotland in their desperate bid to beat the tightening Northern Blockade. The ideological conflict unfolding between American anti-slavery supporters and anti-abolitionists also spread to the other side of the Atlantic and forced the Scots to examine their own values; polarising opinions and forcing the individual to reassess their position concerning basic human rights. Using contemporary accounts and individual case studies; combined; Clydebuilt presents a full and fascinating account of Scotland's involvement in the American Civil War Blockade; an involvement which almost certainly prolonged the conflict by several years.
#6011073 in Books 2014-09-01Original language:English 8.27 x 5.91 x .0l; .84 #File Name: 174270865X269 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Hells gateBy daisyI liked this book even though it is interpreted through historical evidence of the time. But what I liked the most is the description of Tasmania and its forests and how the white man is capable of the destruction of nature and the aborigines that inhabited those lands. It is sad how the European white culture and its religious beliefs destroyed the aboriginal peoples and culture. So much for the human interpretation of the bible; only when it suits the white peoples needs.0 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Four StarsBy PeterEnlightening1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Shell's GatesBy KateThis is a historical narrative about the prison system that was used to colonize Australian and Tasmania; the horrors of its implementation and the despairation of the convicts who suffered there. It is centered in Hobart Town where prisoner punishment of 25 to 100 lashes could be administered for laziness or insubordination; drunkenness and petty crimes. In 1822 the labor prison was established at Sarah Island on Macquarie Harbour in Van Diemen's land (Tasmania).The escape of group of prisoners; whose sole survivor was an Irishman named Pierce; who was recaptured having survived by cannibalism and returned to prison; only to escape again; kill and cannibalize again.This story also gives history to the cold rain forest; the history of colonization and the genocide of the Aboriginal natives as a back story to the history of this area. Very interesting.
