Now for the Contest tells the story of the Civil War at sea in the context of three campaigns: the blockade of the southern coast, the raiding of Union commerce, and the projection of power ashore. The Civil War at sea was profoundly influenced by innovation and asymmetry—both sides embraced innovation, but differences in their resources and their strategic objectives pushed them down different paths. At its peak the Union navy boasted over fifty thousand men and nearly seven hundred ships. The Confederate navy was far smaller, never exceeding some five thousand men, and it numbered its ships in the tens rather than the hundreds. The Confederacy’s “technology strategy” and its overseas programs formed the main counterweight to the Union’s numerical force.
Now for the Contest also examines how both sides mobilized and employed their resources for a war that proved to be of unprecedented intensity and duration. For both antagonists the conduct of the naval war was complicated by rapid technological change, as steam power, metal armor, and more powerful ordnance sparked experiment and innovation both in naval construction and in tactics. The war years brought tremendous change to a service that did not always welcome it. Innovative technologies flourished in this hothouse atmosphere, however, and a rising generation of naval leaders would carry the knowledge of combat into the long peace that followed.
"The entire book is well written and clearly explained, and Robert's analysis of the importance of ironclads and mine warfare is particularly good. His conclusion provides a very well-reasoned analysis of the effectiveness of the Union Navy relative to the lesser contribution of the Confederate naval forces."—Choice
“William H. Roberts expands on his reputation as one of today’s best Civil War naval historians with his recent Now for the Contest. . . . Roberts’ book does a good job of covering the broad scope of the war at sea. He goes beyond battles and heroics like the Monitor-Virginia or Alabama-Kearsarge duels to describe the technical, organizational, economic and political situations that the North and South faced in building navies, and the strategic importance of the naval war.”—Keith Miller, Civil War Times
“An excellent introduction to the Civil War on the high seas and along the coasts.”—The Journal of Military History
“Throughout the book, Roberts discusses strategy, logistics, technology, personalities, and politics to embellish the narrative and to place the war in a perspective that is both clear and insightful. . . . Now for the Contest is highly recommended for those looking for a book that is much more than a commonplace survey of naval operations during the Civil War.”—Civil War Book Review
“Concise, intelligent, and eminently readable. . . . I recommend the book heartily.”—Paper Wars
“William H. Roberts presents a thorough study of coastal and deep-water naval operations in the Civil War, exploring not only what happened but also why it mattered.”—Mae Woods Bell, Rocky Mountain Telegram
“One of the titles in the Great Campaigns of the Civil War series, Now for the Contest is a thoroughly readable and instructive book that provides an informed overview of the strategies and technological innovations employed by both navies in the often-overlooked war on the water.”—Donald W. Gunter, Virginia Libraries
“Readers who want to think about the large naval—and often governmental, diplomatic, logistical, economic, and military—facets of the war will find much in Roberts’ book to ponder.”—Richard M. McMurry, Blue & Gray
“Providing an even-handed analysis of how both navies addressed issues of strategy, organization, procurement, and operations, Now for the Contest is a very readable treatment of naval affairs during the war.”—New York Military Affairs Symposium
“An excellent work that offers a clear and authoritative introduction to the Civil War at sea.”—Craig L. Symonds, Military History of the West