Anaconda's Tail: The Civil War on the Potomac Frontier, 1861-1865

摘要

Donald Shomette's latest book, Anaconda's Tail, begins at 400 acres of land at Point Lookout (by Piney Point, Maryland, at the entrance to the Potomac River) and 600 pages later ends at the same place. In between, he explores the military, economic, social, and cultural clashes that occurred during this period, all within the squeezing coil of the "constrictor-like" cordon-in a way, a tale of the tail. Well-written, thoroughly researched and organized, this fascinating story is narrated with attention to detail. This thought-provoking tome reverberates with the sounds of voices on both sides of the bloody conflict. Because of the book's length and breadth, writing a review in a limited number of words necessitates selecting a few trees to represent some of this verdant forest of historical episodes.