In Lincoln’s Trident; Coast Guard historian Robert M. Browning Jr. continues his magisterial series about the Union’s naval blockade of the Confederacy during the American Civil War. Established by the Navy Department in 1862; the West Gulf Blockading Squadron operated from St. Andrews Bay (Panama City); Florida to the Rio Grande River. As with the Navy’s blockade squadrons operating in the Atlantic; the mission of the West Gulf Blockading Squadron was to cripple the South’s economy by halting imports and disrupting cotton exports; the South’s main source of hard currency. The blockade also limited transportation within the South and participated in combined operations with Union land forces. The history of the squadron comprises myriad parts and players; deployed in a variety of missions across the thousand-mile-wide Western Theater. From disorganized beginnings; the squadron’s leaders and sailors had to overcome setbacks; unfulfilled expectations; and lost opportunities. Browning masterfully captures the many variables that influenced the strategic choices of Navy commanders as they both doggedly pursued unchanging long-term goals as well as improvised and reacted to short-term opportunities. Notable among its leaders was David Glasgow Farragut; believed by many to be America’s greatest naval hero; who led the squadron through most of the war and the climactic Battle of Mobile Bay. Under his legendary leadership; the squadron not only sealed Confederate sea ports; but also made feints and thrusts up the Mississippi River as far north as Vicksburg; Mississippi. Knowing the Navy’s role in isolating the Confederate economy and preventing the movement of troops and supplies within the South is crucial to understanding of the outcomes of the Civil War; as well as the importance of naval power in military conflicts. With thirty-five maps and illustrations; Lincoln’s Trident expounds upon an essential part of the Civil War as well as naval and American history.
#967478 in Books Lee Julia Sun Joo 2015-12-29Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.50 x 1.00 x 5.50l; .0 #File Name: 0816698228328 pagesOur Gang A Racial History of the Little Rascals
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. A great start at properly studying some under-rated films.By pisherThis crossed my desk at the library I work at; and rather than waiting for it to be available in the stacks; I got it for my kindle (I don't know who in his right mind would pay over 80 bucks for a hardcover copy; the perils of academic book pricing).There aren't enough books about these films; and there's been no real scholarship before Julia Lee. I was very impressed by her research; and I agree with most of her reading of the Our Gang comedies and their place in American life and culture. The book is not without some flaws. We probably didn't need a whole chapter on the early life of Hal Roach; thrilling though it was (it was revealing to learn he claimed to have met Mark Twain several times as a boy). I would have liked more information about Robert McGowan; who directed the best Our Gangs; but maybe there just wasn't much she could find out (I certainly knew a lot more than I did before; after reading this).Her choice of films to analyze in depth is odd. Many of the best shorts heavily featuring Farina and Stymie are ignored--never even mentioned. She ignores The Pooch (both versions) and focuses on For Pete's Sake; trying to make it into a metaphor for lynching; which I think is a real stretch. Might as well try to turn Gus Meins' Babes in Toyland into a veiled metaphor for classic anti-semitism and the Protocols of the Elders of Zion. She doesn't talk about Baby Brother; a silent short where Farina 'sells' an infant sibling to Joe Cobb; passing the baby off as white; but then Joe; having discovered the ruse; grins and says "She smiled at me--I'll keep her." Did Ms. Lee actually watch all the available films; because I don't see how you DON'T talk about this one in the context of confusing (yet strangely moving) racial messages that these films were putting out at a time when segregation was an overwhelming fact of American society.I think there needed to be much more analysis of the individual films--particularly the silents and very early talkies (I think she does recognize that the McGowan era was where the truly important work was done). But her emphasis on what was going on while these films were being made; and then re-discovered was important. Context matters. This book is well worth reading (not worth 80+ bucks; but that's what Kindle is for). However; it's a starting point. Much more needs to be done. Buy it for its own sake; but also because the better it does; the more books like it we'll see in future; and I certainly hope some of them are from Julia Lee.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Unbiased StoryBy Irv HyattJulia Lee did a great book; totally unbiased. I had the privilege of meeting many of the Our Gang and spent a great evening in a bar with Ernie "Sunshine Sammy" Morrison in Detroit in 1982 with a few friends. Great person; interesting life. Ms. Lee knows the difference between "Stereotypes" and "Racism" and writes a great book! Recommend it to fans and casual readers alike!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. While there were some interesting stories and pictures; the ...By ML SpenceWhile there were some interesting stories and pictures; the book focused a lot on the socio-economics of the times. While some of that was necessary for perspective; it was too much and too repetitive. I wanted more on the stories of the characters and actors.
