Arms & Equipment of the Civil War

I have about two feet of books on Civil War weapons, but I keep coming back again and again to this old classic. Too many authors are unable to distinguish between important points and trivia. They pack their books with unnecessary details just to show off their erudition. This book is almost unique in packing all the key facts into a single slim volume while omitting all the surplus. And as with all of Coggins' works, the drawings are fantastic and give a real feel for how all this hardware actually worked.

When I first picked this book up in the local library, I expected just another poorly done coffee table book. Boy, was I wrong. As a amateur writer, I soon came to appreciate it's unusual wealth of detailed info on the the equipment and tactics used in the Civil War. The amazing thing is that there are no photos or even color pictures! The author's drawings are clear, numerous, and very helpful. This is a must-have book for any Civil War researcher, re-enactor, or enthusiast!

I am quite amazed that so much information can be packed into such a slim volume! Like another reviewer, my bookshelves absolutely grown under the weight of all the books I own concerning the Civil War. I find myself going back to this small volume time and time again. The text is quite readable and the illustrations are wonderful. I use this book constantly in my research and in my collecting of the artifacts of this era. All in all, this is a very useful, practical book that is absolutely fun to read and I recommend you purchase and add it to your library. You won't be sorry.

Alas, there is - or was - only one Jack Coggins. A matchless illustrator, a good writer, and a man who did exactly what he set out to do, and did it completely. I suppose it would be possible to put together a better book on the arms and equipment of the Civil War. I just don't know how. Great illustrations, clear and lucid text, thorough. If you like this, try his book on Guadalcanal, or the Campaign in North Africa; they're cut of the same cloth.

This is an almost indispensable book for all Civil War aficionados, covering everything from pistols to ironclads and steamships. The author's own illustrations add to the charm and value of this publication and make its information accessible even to the novice. Many Civil War fans have known this book for years and will be delighted to find that it is once again readily available. A true classic, this book belongs in every Civil War library!