The Splendid Little War

by Frank Freidel and Frank Burt Freidel

Book Overview

"It has been a splendid little war..." wrote John Hay to Theodore Roosevelt as the Spanish-American War ended in 1898. Indeed it was splendid for the American public, but for the Rough Riders and... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0739423428
• ISBN13: 9780739423424
• Release Date: January 2002
• Publisher: Burford Books
• Length: 246 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.

Customer Reviews

The war events with little political background

When the United States went to war against Spain in 1898, the result was predictable, although the speed of the victory was not. Few realized how inept the mighty Spanish Empire had become, although it was no secret among the members of the Spanish military. This knowledge made them very defeatist, leading to a lack of initiative, even when they could have defeated the Americans. It all started with the battle of Manila Bay, an amazing victory where the Spanish fleet was destroyed with almost no damage to the American ships. Had the Spanish forces been able to make a respectable stand or even defeat the American fleet, the entire course of the war could have been different. While the American navy was formidable, the Spanish navy had the advantage of shore batteries and proximity to their bases. The American army was riddled with ineptness, the invasion of Cuba could have easily been defeated. Had the Spanish forces on the island aggressively opposed the Americans before they could build their forces and land enough supplies, it could have been a catastrophic defeat. If the Spanish troops in Cuba had had word of a Spanish victory in the Philippines, they most likely would have been more forceful in their response. Of course, none of that happened, and the events of the Spanish defeat are chronicled here. What I liked most about the book is that it is honest about the actions of the American forces. It was a war largely known for the jingoistic elements, yet there is none of that in this book. However, the emphasis is on the events of the war, there is very little regarding the political background to the American conquest of the Philippines and Cuba. For decades, there was serious talk in the United States about Cuba being annexed. Before the Civil war, southerners wanted it to join the Union as a slave state. American doctrine was that Cuba was to either be under the control of Spain or the United States. An independent Cuba was not considered to be in the interests of the United States. Some historians have argued that the United States intervened only when it appeared that the Cuban rebels were to win independence. In terms of the Philippines, no one considered it to be an American interest until the Spanish were defeated. The last few pages deal with the American involvement in the Philippines after the war. This is one of the darkest events in the history of American arms. The war against the Filipino nationalists was brutal, with atrocities on both sides. It would have been a better book if more had been written about these events. If your interest is primarily in the events of the war, then this book is excellent. However, to satisfy any interest you may have in the political backdrop and aftermath, it is necessary to look elsewhere.

A summary of the Spanish American War.

At a little over 200 pages, this book covers the main battles of the Spanish American War. These include the two naval battles off Santiago and Manila, and the land campaigns in Puerto Rico,Cuba and the Philippine Islands. So if you are into the military aspect of the war, this is the book for you. If you need the political reasons, see Trask's book about the war or another called Empire by Default. This is a good summary of the war, but not an explanation for the reason of the war. However, the book is well written and very readable.

The Bible on The Spanish American War

This book by Frank Freidel is my favorite on the subject. "You may fire when ready, Gridley," says Commodore Dewey at the battle of Manila Bay. And so does Frank Freidel. That action took place just five days after President McKinley signed the resolution for war with Spain and Freidel puts the reader there. Freidel puts the reader right in the midst of the twin battles of El Caney and San Juan Hill in Cuba on July 1, 1898. The outcome of these battles spelled the success or failure of the American expeditionary force. Of San Juan Hill Theodore Roosevelt stated bluntly that "The battle simply fought itself." This was a direct criticism of General Shafter. It's this type of writing and research by Frank Freidel that makes this book so interesting and an enjoyable read. This book has been around for a while. If it weren't good it wouldn't be around today.