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Rating: 
Summary: A Fine Read- Impossible to put down
Review: As an amateur student of American Civil War history, I found the book a delight to read. The reader is led through the events before and during battle from the points of view of both sides. There is also some interesting exploration of the personal relationships and personalities of the key players. The build up to the battle itself is well documented and interest is maintained throughout.The only criticisms I would offer are the myriad grammatical errors, but most of all, the poor cartography. None of the maps included basic things such as scale and it was unclear as to indications of geographical features. More maps, and clearer maps would have been useful. Being personally unfamiliar with the area, I had to obtain more information from the internet to gain a better understanding of the geography. Should Mr Brennan write another book, I will assuredly be in the queue to buy it. Hopefully, sans the above shortcomings.
Rating: 
Summary: A very good battle study
Review: Patrick Brennan has written a first rate campaign study of the often ignored, but highly important Battles of Secessionville, South Carolina which occurred in mid-June of 1862. The Union forces led by General David Hunter attempted to capture the much hated city of Charleston, by landing troops on James Island, southwest of the city. Brennan wonderfully captures all of the movements on both sides in a crisp, easy to understand narrative, focusing not only on the high commands of both armies, but of equal importance, the insights of the common soldiers who bore the brunt of the horrible fighting. Through Mr. Brennan's pencil (as noted in the author interview at the back of the book), the reader is put squarely on the battle lines as the men of th 8th Michigan, 100th Pennsylvania, and the 46th New York, to name a few of the units involved, valiantly charged a small strip of land where their ultimate goal, the Tower Battery loomed ahead. The va! lor of the Southerners defending this fort are also included, as 500 of these brave Confederates held off three charges by the boys in blue, all the while being extremely outnumbered. I heartily recommend this book for all Civil War students. With all of the many books on the war that seem to appear on the bookshelves every day, it is very hard to find a book that teaches and tells something new. My biggest compliment to Mr. Brennan is that I learned a lot from his excellent study. As he states in the review above mine, "It's a good book." I heartily agree.
Rating:
Summary: Very well done
Review: The new edition of the book clears up 99% of the typos. I can assure you they weren't my fault.
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