Diary of a Dirty Little War

The Spanish-American War has been called a splendid little war, but, as Rosenfeld contends, it was a dirty little war as well. This colorful account, presented in diary format from the days preceding the declaration of war to the signing of the peace treaty with Spain, reveals how every aspect of American life was ultimately touched by the war. From the beginning, a unique spirit of patriotism pervaded the nation as volunteers flooded local enlistment centers. But it soon was evident that the United States was ill prepared to deal with the demands of training new troops, transporting them to staging areas, and protecting them against disease. Rosenfeld provides readers with the local color of the home front, including the experiences of the Jewish and black communities in the war, and strikes a balance between scholarly and popular writing.

Dramatic accounts of the battle of Manila and the heroism of Admiral Dewey, as well as extensive reports of land battles—including the efforts of Theodore Roosevelt and the Rough Riders—fill the early daily entries. Loved ones eagerly awaited any news of military developments, and weary survivors detailed their ordeals in press accounts. Rosenfeld includes valuable contextual information on the Hawaiian annexation debate and the Puerto Rican expedition. This fascinating approach to an early American foray into international affairs brings to life a war that is often overlooked.

HARVEY ROSENFELD teaches English at St. John's University and Pace University and is the editor of Martyrdom and Resistance, a Holocaust bimonthly of the International Society for Yad Vashem. He is the author of Raoul Wallenberg: Angel of Rescue, (1995) as well as biographies of Roger Maris and Cal Ripken, Jr.