Lulu Marketplace

"Good read" A well constructed tale of the development, employment, loss, and recovery of H. L. Hunley. Mike takes the reader from the start of the war and the southern blockade to New Orleans where Hunley began developing a submersable initially to run the blockade. From there Mike outlines Hunleys development progression to his final product the H. L. Hunley and how it was tested deployed and lost. Mike offers up several possible causes to the loss of the ship after sinking the Housatonic. Finally he covers the discovery, recovery and ongoing contriversy around the preservation of the Hunley and vividly describes the funeral procession for the internment of the final crew of the Hunley. For those interested in sea stories or the Civil War this is an excellent read.

"The Long Patrol by Michael Kozlowski"
I finished reading this recently and thoroughly enjoyed it, despite the fact that neither submarines nor the American Civil War are areas in which I have a particular interest.

The story of the ‘Hunley’ is a long and quite complicated one but the narrative is handled with skill, humour and brevity. Mr. Kozlowski has an eye for the small details that bring history to life and allow the reader to feel close to the subject and in particular the individuals involved in the story. This was particularly important to me as I was able to enjoy the book without knowing too much about the background to it’s subject but the level of detail... More > made me feel as if I was leaning something.

I was also impressed by the pacing - which made the book very readable - and particularly liked the witty way the story of the re-discovery of the wreck and subsequent squabble over ownership was narrated.

I have no hesitation in recommending it.
< Less