An interesting little history on the development of artillery and its munitions through tome. It is beautifully illustrated and even has some ballistics tables.
Just like its subtitle implies, "A Short Illustrated History of Cannon, Emphasizing Types Used in America," this work could be called either a short book or pamphlet with equal correctness. But, for anyone with an interest in the historical employment or development of artillery, this book is a gem which covers a broad swath of time in a manner that conveys the essential elements of technological and tactical development taking place. Ranging from the early 15th to the mid-19th Century, Manucy's book presents an overview of artillery types used in North America during this time. Where this book falls short is on the tactical use of artillery. The flaw is not that artillery's tactical use is omitted; rather it is very narrow in scope and is not clearly tied to tactical and strategic trends that were shaping military tactics during these eras. This could be easily remedied with a few additional paragraphs and a slightly expanded bibliography. Still, this book is a must for Red Legs (active or alumni) and anyone trying to understand the historical progression of warfare in North America.