Book notices.
J. H. Coates & Co., 822 Chestnut street, Philadelphia, the publishers, have kindly sent us the first volume of the translation (embracing two volumes of the French edition) of History of the civil war in America, by the Comte de Paris.
The favorable notices of this book by the Northern press, and an extract we had seen from the preface, which seemed just and fair, made us anxous to see the book.
As the work of a foreigner of distinction, it is worth the attention of our people, and will find a place in the libraries of our military men. But it can never be accepted by us as at all fair to the Confederate side, and some portions of the volume before us smack of the bitter partisan rather than of the disinterested foreigner who is trying to mete out even-handed justice to “both the blue and the gray.” The author evidently sees through only the bluest of spectacles.
Reserving the privilege of pointing out in a future number some of its most glaring mistakes, we will only add now that the book is gotton up by the publishers in excellent style and will doubtless have a large sale.
D. Van Nostrand, New York, has put us under many obligations by presenting the library of the Society with the following sixteen volumes of his publications, gotten up in the admirable style for which this famous publisher of military books is noted:
- 1. The Peninsular campaign and its Antecedents. By General Barnard.
- 2. Report of the engineer and artillery operations of the army of the Potomac, from its organization to the close of the Peninsular campaign. By General J. G. Barnard and W. F. Barry.
- 3. General McClellan's report of operations of the army of the Potomac while under his command.
- 4. The C. S. A. And the battle of Bull run. By General Barnard.
- 5. Records of living officers of the United States Navy. By Lieutenant Lewis R. Hammersley.
- 6. Rifled Ordnance. By Lynall Thomas, F. R. S. L.
- 7. Report of the United States commissioners on munitions of war, exhibited at the Paris Exposition of 1867.
- 8. Manual for Quatermasters and Commissaries. By Captain R. F. Hunter, U. S. A.
- 9. Osborn's Hand-book of the United States Navy, from April, 1861, to may, 1864.
- 10. Manual of military surgeons. By Dr. John Ordronaux.
- 11. The war in the United States. By Ferdinand Lecomte, Lieutenant-Colonel Swiss Confederation.
- 12. Our naval school and naval officers. Meade.
- 13. How to become a successful engineer. By Bernard Stuart.
- 14. The hand-book of artillery. By Major Joseph Roberts, United States Artillery. [112]
- 15. Company drill and bayonet Fencing. By Colonel J. Monroe, United States Army.
- 16. General Todleben's History of the defence of Sebastopol.
We regret that our space will not allow us at present to review each one of these books, which make a most valuable addition to a military library. General Barnard's books are very valuable for a study of the campaigns of which they treat — albeit there are many things in them on which we would take issue with him.
General McClellan's report is invaluable to the student of his campaigns, and (though full of most exaggerated estimates of the force opposed to him) shows him to have displayed great skill in the organization and discipline, and very decided ability in the handling of his army, while his famous letter on the conduct of the war marks him as a humane gentleman, and will go down in history in striking contrast with the orders of Butler, Pope, Sheridan, Sherman, and others of that class.
The books about the navy are of interest, and the manuals are very valuable for those who may desire to prepare for the profession of a soldier.
History of democracy. By Honorable Nahum Capen, L. L. D. American Publishing Co., Hartford, Connecticut. We are indebted to the courtesy of the distinguished author for a copy of the first volume of this book, which is warmly commended by leading men in every section of the country.
It is a book of vast research, and shows great ability. Although the publishers take special pains to prove that Mr. Capen was not a sympathizer with “the Rebels,” the book has a very decided leaning to our side, and should have a wide circulation.
Southern historical monthly. By S. D. Poole, Editor and Proprietor, Raleigh, N. C. Terms: Postage paid, $4 a year in advance. We have received the first (January) number of this new candidate for public favor, and gladly place it on our exchange list, and bid it a hearty “God speed.”
The printers admonish us that we have not more space now than to say that the elegant style of the make up of this number, together with our knowledge of Colonel Pool's ability, gives assurance that he will make a first-class magazine.
