Listed below (in no particular order) are twenty great reads on the Civil War Navy. Topics cover a wide range of subject areas, from general history to biography. This is in no way a definitive list. Please post any other books you like on the Civil War Navy in the comments section.
1. Lincoln and His Admirals – Craig Symonds
2. Vicksburg is the Key – William L. Shea and Terrence J. Winshel
3. Ellet’s Brigade: The Strangest Outfit of All – Chester Hearn
4. The Naval History of the Civil War – David Dixon Porter
5. Gunboats Down the Mississippi – John D. Milligan
6. Duel Between the First Ironclads – William C. Davis
7. By Sea and By River – Bern Anderson
8. Thunder Along the Mississippi – Jack Coombe
9. Union Jacks: Yankee Sailors in the Civil War – Michael Bennett
10. Rebels and Yankees – Chester Hearn
11. Divided Waters – Ivan Musicant
12. Confederate Shipbuilding – William N. Still, Jr.
13. Lincoln’s Admiral: The Civil War Campaigns of David Farragut – James P. Duffy
14. Guns on the Western Waters – Allen Gosnell
15. Battle Flags South – James Merrill
16. The Gulf and Inland Waters – Alfred Thayer Mahan
17. Civil War Ironclads: Dawn of Naval Armor – Robert McBride
18. Commanding Lincoln’s Navy: Union Naval Leadership During the Civil War – Stephen R. Taaffe
19. Confederate Naval Forces on Western Waters – Thomas R. Campbell
20. Slaves, Sailors, Citizens: African Americans in the Union Navy – Stephen J. Ramold
You can also see the list at Goodreads here:
http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/3089235
Naval History and Heritage Command at Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/navalhistory
