Product Description

A gripping and absorbing narrative, yet an easily understood and highly readable account of the Old Northwest's most significant military event. The focus of the book is the naval conflict itself. Reviewed in detail are the armament and tactical maneuverings of the two squadrons; however, the stories of the American and British crewmen constitute the heart of this book. The book also relates the important events leading up to the Battle of Lake Erie. Described are the strategic significance of Lake Erie, the campaigns of the War of 1812 in the Old Northwest preceding the Battle of Lake Erie, plus the story of both the building and manning of the American squadron. Containing numerous maps and illustrations, it is a concise and fascinating account of the turning point of the War of 1812 in the Old Northwest.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #459769 in Books
• Published on: 1999-05-07
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 99 pages

About the Author
After a four-year tour of duty with the United States Coast Guard, which included a WestPac cruise to Vietnam, Gerard T. Altoff joined the U.S. National Park Service in 1972. Duty assignments at Zion National Park in Utah and Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota were followed by his current position at Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial, where he has served as the Chief Ranger and Historian since 1979. In addition to numerous articles published in historical journals, Altoff's books include Deep Water Sailors - Shallow Water Soldiers: Manning the United States Fleet on Lake Erie, 1813 and Amongst my best men: African Americans and the War of 1812. Altoff also co-authored A Signal Victory, the Lake Erie Campaign, 1812-1813 with Dr. David Curtis Skaggs.

Customer Reviews

Naval Warfare
Written for those who already understand the causes of the War of 1812, this slim volume offers a balanced examination of the most significant naval action of the war. When Oliver Hazard Perry, commodore of the Lake Erie fleet, defeated the British on the water he prevented His Majesty's Forces from mounting a serious threat against U.S forces west of the Niagara. Without drowning the reader in a mass of details, the author provides the best descriptions of naval warfare and naval terms that I have ever read. Visitors to the Oliver Hazard Perry Peace Memorial at Put-in-Bay, Ohio, one of the lesser known national parks, would be wise to pick up this book as would anyone interested in life aboard a wooden ship during wartime.

Quick, Fun Read
You will find this book entertaining as well as informative. Among the notable insights offered is an excellent description of the size (or lack thereof) of the fleets involved in the much-aggrandized battles on the Great Lakes. This is very enjoyable History.

A wonderful Book on the History of this Great Lake
I really enjoyed this book. It made me feel like I had something at stake, in this battle, despite the fact I was born many generations later. The book gives a (tales of the tape) reveiw of the two opposing Commanders. This book will fit right in with any history book on your shelf and will give you alot of insight into the Perry's wonderful victory.