|
Constitution vs Guerriere: Frigates during the War of 1812 (Duel) |  | Author: Mark Lardas
Creator: Peter Bull
Publisher: Osprey Publishing
Category: Book
List Price: $17.95
Buy New: $10.26
as of 7/30/2010 23:26 MDT details
You Save: $7.69 (43%)
New (20) Used (7) from $9.99
Seller: sentram
Rating:  6 reviews
Sales Rank: 303200
Media: Paperback
Edition: Original
Pages: 80
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 9.5 x 7.2 x 0.3
ISBN: 1846034345
Dewey Decimal Number: 973.525
EAN: 9781846034343
ASIN: 1846034345
Publication Date: August 18, 2009
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
| |
| Similar Items:
| |
| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Famed as a classic naval duel, the clash between two sailing frigates of the nineteenth century affords its victor immeasurable fame and glory. During the War of 1812, the Royal Navy and United States Navy squared off in a number of such duels, the most famous between the USS Constitution and HMS Guerrière. Tactics between the two nations varied enormously, with the American Navy favoring twenty-four pound guns, heavy carronades, and larger crews, while the British tended to equip its frigates with eighteen-pound guns and smaller, more economical crews. Through first-hand accounts of officers and sailors present at the battles and fascinating comparisons of artillery, crew ability and tactical achievements, this book offers an unparalleled insight into the ruthless reality of frigate battles in the War of 1812.
|
| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 6
 U.S.S. Constitution vs. H.M.S. Guerriere May 12, 2010
James B. Lineberry
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This Osprey book arrived in good order with four other books. The order arrived as scheduled. I served in the navy, aboard the USS Kitty Hawk, and ships of this by-gone era have always been an interest to me. This book gives that in depth study, in a short version, as to the how and why American frigates could more than hold their own against a powerful British navy. Overall, very pleased with the book. B.L.
 Solid introduction to frigate duels in the War of 1812 February 17, 2010
Steven A. Peterson (Hershey, PA (Born in Kewanee, IL))
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
The book notes that there were several frigate duels during the War of 1812, where it was ship versus ship. Constitution versus Guerriere (1812), United States versus Macedonian (1812), Constitution versus Java (1812), Chesapeake versus Shannon (1813). Later most American ships were bottled up in harbors by British naval forces.
The book begins by noting something of the romance of the frigates during this historic time frame (Page 4): "Command of a frigate was the goal of every dashing captain during the Age of Fighting Sail, the period from 1650 through 1820. Not only could a frigate beat anything it could catch and escape from anything that could beat it, but the captain of a frigate also commanded the most potent independent warship afloat."
This slender Osprey volume covers life in one of these sailing warships (grim--take a look at the rations on page 39). The book covers the structure and specifications for frigates--both British and American. A table on page 21 compares some British and American frigates in terms of length of gun deck, breadth, and tonnage. Want to learn about armament and sails? You can get a nice thumbnail sketch here.
Then, the story of the combatants--the sailors and the officers of these elegant warships. Brief biographies are presented for such officers as Stephen Decatur. The hi8ghlight of the book is a discussion of the fights between frigates. For instance, Constitution versus Guerriere (pages 48-54), including a sketch of the maneuvers of the two vessels.
All in all, a nice addition to Osprey's "duel" series.
A vivid analysis of combatants, ships and their battles December 13, 2009
Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Osprey's fine guides to battles, wars and military history are top picks for any serious military library. Mark Lardas' CONSTITUTION VS. GUERRIERE: FRIGATES DURING THE WAR OF 1812 follows a duel between two 19th century sailing frigates, one of the most brutal clashes of arms in history where four famous frigate duels were fought. A vivid analysis of combatants, ships and their battles.
Wow November 15, 2009
Michael Persico (Franklin Square, NY USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I read a book a day. This is one of the few books I say wow too. I really learned a good deal about the handling and building of this ship. Very informative and exciting.
Good introduction to the subject October 1, 2009
Bruce Trinque (Amston, CT United States)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
Mark Lardas's "Constitution vs Guerrier: Frigates during the War of 1812" provides a good introduction to the subject, with a substantial amount of technical detail (such as armament characteristics). The four main single-ship frigate actions of the war (Constitution and Guerriere, United States and Macedonian, Constitution and Java, and Chesapeake and Shannon) are all covered in similar detail (the sidebar on whether the Chesapeake in other circumstances might have beat Shannon is a nice feature), presenting the picture that superior crews rather than merely larger ships were decisive. Although the book of course is specifically about the struggle between American and British frigates, there is much in the volume that would be of interest to a reader interested in the more general toopic of naval warfare in the Napoleonic era. As can be expected from any Osprey volume, vivid, colorful illustrations are a major part, although perhaps in this particular volume, there is less emphasis on original artwork than is usual for this publisher.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 6
|
|
|
Contact Military Topix
Privacy and Legal CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON SERVICES LLC. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED ‘AS IS’ AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME. Powered by Associate-O-Matic
| |
