It is not only likely, but highly probable, that the information contained in this massive compendium will repay the purchasers of the work many times over.
The breadth of the work is truly amazing in that it covers the full spectrum of military equipage from artillery pieces, small arms and uniforms to horse combs, tableware, china and everything in between. More importantly, it does so in a manner that makes finding information concerning a specific item easy for the reader.
Manufactures and dealers who provided goods to the Confederacy are identified and thoroughly discussed with respect to the markings they applied to their products and their operating histories. Throughout the book, the authors have included images of existing invoices for purchases processed by firms located in Great Britain. In addition, contemporary images of Southern servicemen holding or wearing imported equipment are reproduced adjacent to actual specimens to further demonstrate their use. The complexity and thoroughness of this book is perhaps best demonstrated by its inclusion of ownership certificates that were issued to individuals who invested in blockade runners. As historical artifacts, they are rather esoteric, but nonetheless they provide additional insights into the practices and thinking of the period.
The one pervasive thread that becomes apparent in reading this book is how utterly dependent the Southern Confederacy was on goods imported from England. Though collectors normally just think of arms and military equipment, blockade runners delivered cloth, disinfectant, flags, opium, quinine, tools of all sorts and a plethora of other items. Had it not been for this material, it is difficult to
imagine that the Confederacy would have been able to wage war as long as it did.
The English Connection, is an excellent, interesting and informative book. The obvious time and painstaking research dedicated to the production of this work by the authors, and the beautiful colour illustrations throughout make this an essential read for anyone interested in the American Civil War. Manchester Central Library is extremely happy to be presented with this beautiful work by the authors, where I am sure it will prove to be a valuable addition to our collection."
Janet Splaine, Service Development Co-ordinator, Libraries, Galleries & Culture, Manchester, England
This book is exhaustively comprehensive and superbly illustrated. It represents the definitive reference work on the British supply of arms, material, and goods to the CSA during the American Civil War.
Jonathan Ferguson, Curator of Firearms, Royal Armouries, Leeds, United Kingdom
Given the encyclopedic nature of the book, it is impossible to do it justice fully in this review. Suffice it say, nothing has been omitted or glossed over. As a reference book, it therefore is without equal and undoubtedly will remain so for years to come.
Herbert G. Houze, Book Review Editor, Man At Arms
The English Connection is a highly important book, not just for collectors of Civil War material, but for historians and curators who seek to understand the Confederacy’s purchasing activities through its details. By relating the records to the objects and applying solid curatorial expertise, the authors have pulled together sources that take us deeper into the story than reliance on the written word alone can do. The objects do speak and they tell us much that we couldn’t get any other way.
Leslie D. Jensen
Backed by sound documentary research and many years of careful observations, this is the first reference book to address in detail the massive quantities of blockade-run arms and equipment that sustained the Confederate war effort. The English Connection is one of the most important contributions to the study of Confederate material culture ever produced.
Dr. Gordon L. Jones, Senior Military Historian and Curator, Atlanta History Center
This is a revolutionary book. The English Connection explores one of the last frontiers in Civil War research, the trans-Atlantic importation of materiel to the Confederacy from Great Britain and Europe, while becoming the standard-bearer for books on Civil War material culture. From the breadth of Chapter 1’s directory of the major businessmen, manufacturers, and mercantilists involved in this secret, lucrative, and massive undertaking, to the beautifully illustrated chapters on artillery, small arms, and accoutrements, The English Connection delights on many levels!
Allen Roberson, Director, South Carolina Confederate Relic Room & Military Museum
An exhaustive work that chronicles the small arms imported from Great Britain, their manufactures and markings and the individuals involved in the all important activity that supplied the Confederate armies. A fascinating subject, the book’s level of detail will prove useful to historians, antiquities dealers and collectors as well as others having a serious interest in the subject.
Dr. Stephen R. Wise, Author, Lifeline of the Confederacy
I still can't get over the sheer amount of information Russ & Corky managed to get together. Certainly no one will be able to write another book on this subject which will add anything important to what they have produced.
DeWitt Bailey, Author & Researcher, British Military Firearms
The English Connection is a testament to the authors painstaking research and dedication over a long period of time. The sheer volume of information contained within it is staggering. This book will prove invaluable to future generations when researching the American Civil War. We have acquired a copy for the Birmingham Proof House Library and I will no doubt be perusing its pages for many years to come.
Samuel S. Perry, Assistant Proof Master, Birmingham Proof House UK
The Birmingham Central Library Archives and Heritage Department were very pleased indeed to be presented with a copy of The English Connection. The book is all the more important for Birmingham in that it gives a fascinating and largely unresearched insight into what was a halcyon period in the long history of the city's gun quarter. It is a wonderful addition to our library and without doubt will be of great interest to students of the present and future generations.
Paul Taylor, Head Librarian, Archives and Heritage
This book contains an incredible amount of detail regarding goods carried into the Confederate States. Apart from the armaments, it also covers basic things like postage stamps and even the outfit for the galley of a blockade runner.
Andrew Bowcock, Author, CSS Alabama, Anatomy of a Confederate Raider
The English Connection will be a valuable addition to our collection. I’m sure our students and researchers working on British involvement in the American Civil War will find it a comprehensive and useful source.
Jane Rawson, Librarian, Vere Harmsworth Library, Bodleian Libraries, Rothermere American Institute, University of Oxford