Mr. Cooling's book presents a chronological evaluation of the events that preceeded and occurred after the Battle of Monocacy. Starting with why Lee ordered the last gasp invasion of the north, to the modern efforts to preserve the battlefield. All aspects of these events are presented but not evaluated. For example, why didn't Washington believe the people of the area when they reported that Jubal Early was in Maryland? Mr. Cooling also presents a wonderful driving tour for people who want to see and expirennce the places of the Battle of Monocacy. The appendicies go into great detail about the Ohio National Guard which fought at Monocacy, and the issues all the govenor's of the various Union states had to face when called to defend Washington. Perhaps if Jubal Early had not stalled outside of Washington, Monocacy would be celebrated as one of the greatest Confederate victories of the war.

If you are looking for a well-written, picture-laden documentary on one of the most famous of U.S. warships, I think you'd better keep looking. B.F. Cooling's "U.S.S. Olympia: Herald of Empire" was a HUGE disappointment. For those of us who are used to well-illustrated ship's biographies in the manner of the Squadron series or some of the other books in the US Naval Institute Series ("American Battleships 1886-1923" comes to mind), this volume will NOT satisfy. There was not a single ship's plan, elevation, rigging diagram, or side-by-side comparison; not a single map, not a single illustrative drawing--only a dozen or so poorly-reproduced, tiny, and fuzzy photographs of the ship and some of the men that served aboard her. Ship modelers beware--you and the Revell "USS Olympia" model are still on your own. In addition, the prose was overwrought and burdened with useless minutiae and excess detail, plus quote upon quote from diaries, news accounts, and personal recollections without streamlining or editing--all just thrown together. Most of this stuff was not needed and certainly not engaging enough to include. And the price of this book--way too much for what you get. My advice--steer clear of this one.