This is one of the backbones of my cookbook collection. We do food in the south, as they say. This is the always dependable cookbook. The cookbook for never fail to please goodies for family and friends for any occasion. I adore it. Virginia Hospitality says it in the name and can be depended upon to provide just that.

I collect cookbooks, and this is one I use frequently. The dishes are delicious, elegant, and easy to prepare. Some of my most frequently requested recipes are from this book. Also makes a great gift!

an abosulte must have ! Traditional, yet with a trace of fantas

"Duel Between the First Ironclads" is probably the best book I have read about the historic clash between the CSS Virginia (Merrimac) and the USS Monitor. It relates the fascinating tale of the development and fight between the two great ironclads and their meeting on March 9, 1862.

William C. Davis is both a historian and a storyteller. He expertly weaves memoir and journal accounts from actual participants to reveal a human side to what many would consider 'dry' history. That Monitor and Virginia were the first Ironclads to meet in battle is notable. But it is the men who commanded those ships, fired their guns and worked their engines who were behind it all. Davis expertly captures that and brings it to life. It is this mesh of human drama and military might that makes this book so valuable.

Then there's the fact that it is simply well written, well paced and just entertaining. While this subject has been covered before in countless books on Civil War Naval history and military, none I have seen has gone into this much depth, both for the human side and the historical background.

I really enjoyed this one. I think it's written well enough that I could suggest this book to just about anyone who has an interest in military history, or just likes a good story.

Wiliam C. Davis chronicles the race to build the ironclads as well as the dramatic battle that ended unresolved. All of the colorful charactors on both sides of the war are portrayed as both human and visionary, in their desperate gamble to win.. More importantly, however, Mr. Davis places this battle into its proper context as a crucial turning point in military and naval history. The chapter on the development of ironclad technology after the battle and war is the proper ending. For the first time, the true importance of this battle and the race to build the ironclads was brought home to me. Highly recommended.

The USS Monitor and the CSS Virginia (ex-Merrimack) were not the "first" ironclads... rather, it was the First Duel of Ironclads. It can only be supposed that the title was forced on Mr. Davis by the publisher. Still... this is perhaps the best of all books on the historic fight between the Monitor and the Virginia, stirringly re-created and well annotated, and is a vital work for anyone wanting to know what really happened on the water in the Civil War. Highly recommended.

A. A. Hoehling's Thunder at Hampton Roads tells the story of the U.S.S. Monitor, the world's first all-iron fighting ship. The book covers the entire story of this famous vessel, detailing the construction of the vessel, the battle between it and the C.S.S. Merrimack, and its rediscovery in the mid-1970's. The Monitor changed the image of the navy forever, ridding people of their notion of ships built of oak and canvas and replacing it with pictures closer to those invoked by the navy of today: ones of invincible metal and guns.

The book begins with an account of the construction of the Monitor. Northern and Southern forces were racing for naval supremacy throughout the war, and ironclads were among the most important technology being developed. The Monitor was specifically designed to combat the seemingly indestructible Southern Merrimack. A Swede named John Ericcson conceived of the idea for the North. Though similar in design to the other ship, which had already been proven in battle, the Monitor's development was viewed with some skepticism; many people thought it would never float, much less act as a battle-ready warship. They were proved wrong, as the Monitor was proved as worthy as its Confederate opponent.

The second section of the book details the Monitor's encounter with the Southern ironclad Merrimack, and its sinkage off the coast of Cape Hatteras. The battle came in defense of a seaport called Hampton Roads. Both ships took substantial damage. The Monitor came away victorious, though the Merrimack did escape. Many people believed that the ironclad was the only thing that came between Hampton Roads and a complete ransacking by the Confederate Navy. The loss of the Monitor was an unfortunate incident. The ironclad was being towed by another ship, the Rhode Island, to Wilmington North Carolina, where it was indeed to take part in capturing the city. When the crew discovered that their ship was failing, they cut loose from the Rhode island so as to avoid bringing the other ship down with the Monitor. Luckily, most of the crew was able to escape via lifeboat. Sadly, fifteen crewmen, including the captain, went down with her.

The third section of the book details the post-war lives of those who were involved with the Monitor, and tells of its rediscovery in the 1970's. Many of the Monitor's crewmen lived peacefully after the sinking, but one could not. Samuel Dana Greene, an executive officer on the Monitor whom many thought should have chased the Southern Merrimack until he had captured or destroyed it, killed himself. Supposedly he was consumed with guilt that was fed by the accusations over the fact that the Merrimack escaped to do further damage in the war. Only after his death was the matter cleared up by a superior officer who announced that the Monitor had sustained too much damage for it to follow the enemy ship.

The Monitor was discovered and photographed by a team of marine scientists twelve miles off Cape Hatteras where it had sunk to more than a century previously. Salvaging operations funded by the National Science Foundation and National Geographic were successful. Technological advances such as that of sonar greatly aided those who were devoted to discovering the Monitor. Restoration work was taking place when the book was published in the late 1970's

A. A. Hoehling used diaries, letters, ships' logs, and newspaper articles to put together the story of the Monitor. He was directly involved with the salvage work on the vessel, which explains his desire to let the public know about this fascinating ship. It was his belief that the Monitor played a significant role in the Civil War and in the development of the navy, a point that he convinces the reader of throughout the book.

I believe that this book would be perfect for research on any aspect of the Merrimack or the Monitor. Through text and photos of the Monitor as it was when built and as it appeared sunken beneath the sea, the author tells the ship's complete story. This is a valuable source for anyone researching naval forces during the civil war, not only the battles but also the inner workings of the Navy and its chain of command.

Still the best book on the history of the USS Monitor. Hoeling is both an excellent researcher and a first-rate writer. I am very pleased this book is back in print. Naval historians should rejoice!

It tastes good and is in good taste. This is a great source of fine cooking in the Virginia tradition. Lots of seafood and goodies.

The Junior League of Hampton Roads, Inc. is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism and to improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusisvely educational and charitable. Recipes in Very Virginia were triple tested prior to publication. Profits from the sale of this cookbook are returned to the community through the projects of the Junior League.

While a number of books have covered the famous engagement in March 1862 between the first ironclad warships, the USS Monitor and the CSS Virginia, few have ever attempted to place this revolutionary battle in a campaign narrative that goes beyond the few hours of actual fighting. In Osprey Campaign #103, British naval aficionado Angus Konstam sets out not only to summarize the famous naval engagements of 8-9 March 1862 in Hampton Roads, but to cover the events leading up to and following the battle. While most Osprey Campaign volumes are strained to cover large campaigns in anything like meaningful detail, the limited scope of the Hampton Roads campaign is well suited for coverage in a 96-page volume. As a campaign summary, Hampton Roads 1862 is a great success, both in terms of breadth and depth.

In accordance with the standard Osprey Campaign format, Hampton Roads 1862 begins with a brief introduction and chronology, followed by sections on opposing leaders and forces. The leaders section covers the secretary of the navy, ironclad designers and vessel commanders for both the Federal and Confederate sides. In the opposing forces section, the author covers the origin and design of both the USS Monitor and the CSS Virginia, as well as the role of the Federal blockading squadron, the Confederate James River Squadron, the CSS Virginia's armed tugboat escorts (which are rarely mentioned in most accounts of the battle) and the army units involved in local coastal defense. Complete technical details are provided on all warships, but exact information on the Federal and Confederate army units involved is not provided. An 18-page section covers the background to the battle, including the capture of Norfolk Navy Yard in April 1861, the conversion of the ex-USS Merrimac, the construction of the USS Monitor and the Monitor's near-disastrous coast-hugging voyage to Hampton Roads. The two-day Battle of Hampton Roads is covered in 43 pages and includes much information that is often glossed over in other accounts. A brief section on aftermath covers the fate of the CSS Virginia and the USS Monitor. There are a total of five 2-D maps (the Confederate seaboard in March 1862, Hampton Roads area, the Monitor's voyage to Hampton Roads, warship dispositions on 8 March 1862, operations in the Peninsula Area May 1862) and three 3-D "Birds Eye View" maps (the attack on the USS Cumberland and USS Congress, and two covering the early and later phases of the Monitor-Virginia engagement). There are also three excellent battle scenes: the final construction of the CSS Virginia, inside Monitor's turret and the Virginia's attempt to ram the Monitor).

Overall, this is an excellent Osprey Campaign title. The only obvious error was the misquote of Union casualties from the sinking of the USS Cumberland and USS Congress, when the author asserts that, "over 2,650 sailors had been killed, and almost as many were wounded." This bizarre error must be the result of poor editing, since the combined crews of both Union warships were only around 600 sailors. Actual losses from both ships totaled about 260 killed and 110 wounded. Otherwise, the author displays sound analysis of the main points of the battle as well as the oft-ignored minutiae, such as the role of the neutral French observer warship, the Confederate attempt to board the Monitor and the actions of the James River Squadron. Very well done.

We have family that lives throughtout the world. In order for them to get an idea of what our home, the Hampton Roads area, is like, this book is fantastic! Before this was published there wasn't a book available with good photographs, and up-to-date information about just the Hampton Roads area. The books that were published focused on Williamsburg, civil war history, and the old plantation homes. The photos are fantastic, the text is well written, and it is current information. We have purchased three of these books already, and will get more for other family members and friends. Great Book!

History Next Door is stories of World War 2 Veterans in the Hampton Roads area. Even if your not into history, you'll definitely like it. I am only 16 years old and I read the book and really enjoyed it. It opened up my eyes and made me realize how special these war veterans really are and what they went through just for our country. They are the true heroes of America! The stories of these 18 veterans and increbible! I hope that you will go get this book. The author of the book is David Parker and he did a great job writing it. The way he described it and the words he used were really great. He got to interview and talk to these 18 veterans so he could put it all together and write the book. Go get it today!!!

We moved to Northeastern North Carolina four years ago from southern New York where we had successfully grown vegetables, roses and flowering shrubs and perennials for many years. Relocating to a new climate and different growing season was nearly an unsurmountable challenge until we purchased Stiffler's book. His month by month "to do" list plus gardening tips and procedures have helped us establish a most satisfactory year round garden. Stiffler categorizes shrubs and trees by level of maintenance required, soil conditions conducive to growth and also includes interesting historical and background information about individual varieties such as the history of the crape myrtle in the South. We have recommended this book to fellow gardeners as well and we all have found it an indispensable guide to gardening.

The battle between the Monitor and the Merrimack in March 1862 is one of the most significant naval battles in history. This was not because of the outcome, which was tactically a draw, but because it heralded the end of wooden warships and the ascendancy of steam, armor, exploding shells, and the revolving gun turret. The contrast of the floating iron fortress with the "cheesebox on a raft" has inspired many artists and the chief attraction of this Spotlight on History volume is the detailed artwork and diagrams by Fred Freeman. The text by Carole Kismaric starts with President Abraham Lincoln worried about reports the South was building an ironclad and details the construction of the Merrimac and then the Monitor, which led to their famous battle. Note: the book follows the notion of alliteration rather than history since the Union frigate Merrimack was cut down to make the Confederate ironclad christened the C.S.S. Virginia; I should also point out the North won the war and wrote most of the histories about the battle.

For me the most impressive parts of this little volume are the excellent two page spreads that provide diagrams and cross-sections of each ironclad. With the Merrimack there is a drawing of the original sailing ship with the portion of the hull used shown in blue, a cross-section view, two overhead views on the inside and top of the ship, and a frontal cross-section. A similar approach is used for the Monitor with additional cross section views. The only complaint would be that the Monitor is done to scale vis-à-vis the Merrimac, which makes it on the small side; a chart lays out a direct comparison of the ironclads in terms of construction, size, and armament and there is also a map of the James River where the battle took place off Hampton Roads. The illustrations are equally good, especially the ones detailing the battle between the two ironclads. Those pictures are in color, while most of the early ones in the book are in black & white with gray tints. The cover painting, of the Monitor's captain talking to that of the grounded U.S.S. Minnesota while the Merrimac approaches in the distance, is the best of the bunch. Both the text and the illustrations are informative, although the publisher does have to play with the text font from page to page to get everything to fit alongside the appropriate illustrations. This is a nice little history of the "Duel of the Ironclads" that should not be forgotten. At the very least the artwork by Freeman could be salvaged for future use; after all, that is what they did with the Merrimac.

I would not buy this book because the Monitor fought a Confederate Ironclad called the C.S.S. Virginia. The Virginia was built upon the salvaged hull of a union ship called the Merrimack (with a "k"). There was another ship built by the union, called the Merrimac (without a "k") but it was a paddle wheel boat and it never fought the Monitor.

This is a very well-put-togther, informative book about the ironside USS Monitor and its Confederate counterpart, the CSS Virginia. The title of the book was obviously off-putting to one reader, since it referred to the Merrimac (the name of the Virginia before it was re-fitted and re-christened by the Confederacy), but don't let that stop you!. This book delves into a fascinating part of American military history. The battle between the Monitor and the Merrimac changed the course of naval history, and had repercussions all over the world. This book is a great introduction into that period in history.
For those who are still concerned about the use of Merrimac as opposed to Virginia: 1) the US gov't never formally recognized the Confederacy as a sovereign state, therefore the Confederacy would have had no authority to re-christen the ship (ergo, the original designation of Merrimac is, in fact, correct); 2) even during the Civil War, in both the North and the South, the name Merrimac was still widely used to describe the ship -- and remains the more widely recognized and acceptable of the two.

The story of these two ironclads is one of the most famous incidents in naval history. As stated in the Ken Burns Civil War Series, "for a moment, every other navy in the world stood obsolete." This book is very effective in chronicling the story of these ironclads, and should be viewed as such, instead of focusing on petty details.