Ironclad Down: The USS Merrimack-CSS Virginia from Construction to Destruction

Park, a master model builder, offers a definitive account of the famous Civil War ship that includes the most detailed structural information available and corrects long-standing inaccuracies about its design and construction. Divided into three parts, the book introduces the men who played important roles in the history of the ship, then analyzes the design of the Merrimack and the alterations that were made to the Virginia, based on archival descriptions, drawings, and artifacts. A final section analyzes the ship's construction, with details on sources of raw materials, manufacturing, and transportation. The book is illustrated with historical and contemporary b&w photos and drawings, many by the author. The readership for the book includes Civil War scholars, history buffs, professional museum modelers, and amateur builders, as well as those seeking new facts about the still- controversial warship. Annotation c2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)