t~cf.umbia Trading Co. Nautical Books and Artifacts
Free Mail Order Book Catalog On-line Shopping Cape Cod Store Open Year 'Round We buy Maritime and Naval Book Collections
1022 Main St. (Route 6A) West Barnstable, MA 02668 508-362-1500 • Fax: 508-362· 1550 info@columbiatrading.com
www.columbiatrading.com
PLWIMJAOllJISI: •Small Sh ips •R iver Boats •Sailing Vessels •Barges •Expeditions •Freighters •Educational&Traditional Cruises
Save ' '' ith 'll·a,, l...ti11s II.ates
FREE Thl AL MEMBERS HIP INCL.THREE I SSUES OF TRAVLTIPS PUBLICATION !First hand cruise reports,
lis~ngs,
special offers, etc)
.J.iTravltiPS~ www.travltips.com
(800) 872-8584
sine• 1967
e·mail: info@travltips.com
fa lse li ghrs, and murder. Bur Cornish Wrecking is abour more rhan shipwrecks and wrecking. Pearce uses well -known myrhs as springboards ro examine rhe expansion of centralized aurhoriry, rhe relarionship berween manorial landlo rds and ten a n ts, and the cultural work of clergy and the press. The narrative never lags and, in fact, could have been expanded in several places. Pearce's discussion of the creation of the wrecker stereotype, for example, wo uld have benefited from a transnational perspective. One of the many strengths of Cornish Wrecking is Pearce's depiction of just how conremious life was along rhe Brirish coasr. Cornish wreckers were not only the piratical miners and fishermen of popular mythology, but men, women, and (yes) chi ldren with surpri sin gly different motives and perceptions. Indeed, wrecking entai led both the opportunistic "harvesting" of a wreck-strewn shore and the aggressive plundering of vessels. As Pearce concludes, the monolithic image of the wrecker in British cu lture simplified the complex realities of the coastal realm. Pearce has written a thoroughly researched and closely argued monograph that will appeal ro a wide audience. She brilliantly resurrects an important part of coasral life and deconstructs its mythology in British culture. More important, Pearce situates evolving human relationships with the sea in the broader context of social, cultural, political, and legal hisrory. As such, it exemplifies the best of maririme history. The $80 cover price may derer some readers, bur those who purchase it will be amply rewarded . ]AMIN WELLS
Newark, Delaware
MARITIME
52
BOOKS
The Civil War of 1812: American Citizens, British Subjects, Irish Rebels & Indian Allies by A lan Taylor (Alfred A.
1806 Laurel Crest Madison, Wisconsin 53705-1065 (608) 238-SAIL FAX (608) 238-7249 EmaiI: tuttlemaritime@charter.net http://tuttlemaritime.com Books about the Sea, Ship & Sailor Catalogue Upon Request
Knopf, New York, 2010, 620pp, notes, biblio index, ISBN 978-1-4000-4265 -4; $35hc) This painstakingly researched book is not your typical War of 1812 hisrory; indeed, this volume is more insightful, descriptive, and even-handed in its treatment of the war than most others I have read. Ir does not rehash the same old barrles, controversies, and people; instead, ir foc uses
on the conflicr within rhe warring parties a nd their allies. The war truly was a civifwar on many levels: American Federa lists vs. American Republicans; Canadian vs. US Indians; TH E CI V IL W A R OF 1812 ~ l t111riru C11l~t111. ?Jrllltb
lri1j
'1{.t~tls .
.t:-
Jd;u11.
/ldiu vllliu
cv4.LAN 'JArLOR ID. .. ...... ......... .
p, " . . . . . "" II· ..
'~"""
Canadian subj ecrs (of the Crown) vs. American Loyalists (called "Late Loyalists"); British subjects vs. American cirizens; and British subjects vs. Irish immigrants. Each group had irs own axe ro grind and each was committed to its own way of thinking-unless, of course, one of them ch anged sides during rhe war, and this depended on which way rhe winds of war were blowing at any given moment . Mr. Taylor rakes swipes at all parties with equanimiry, pointing out the lun acy and ineptitude that seemed to pervade all factions . The country was ill-prepared for rhis unpopular war, and the political and ideological divisions guaranteed it wo uld never become popular, well-funded , or well-managed. Madison's administration hoped rhe war wo uld galvanize and unite the coun try, but the partisan politics ensured that would never happen . The porous border wirh Canada, where many of the land battles took place, provided for free intercourse between sides by spies, rraders, and divided families. Like the American Civi l War, fa milies fo und themselves on opposite sides of this war; some members opted for shifting their allegiance to the Crown and moving to Upper Canada, while others, astounded that their brethren wo uld do such a thing, remained cirizens of the Republic. On occasion, these divided family members mer on due field of battle. Due to the in-
SEA HISTORY 135, SUMMER 2011