It is actually well researched and in spite of the premise, one that will be severely attacked later in this thread, makes for an interesting read.
Posted on 06/25/2008 10:44:52 PM PDT by GOP_Raider
I told myself I'd limit myself to one vanity post per several hundred comments and threads I'd posted, so I apologize in advance.
Currently, I'm doing some summer reading and I'm looking specifically for books on the Civil War/War Between the States--or the "War of Northern Agression" if you're so inclined. While I am for certain that this topic could fill up my living room and perhaps my grandparents' entire house, I'm looking for anything that those of you who argue back and forth on the Civil War threads have read. Thanks in advance.
Hate to bother you, but I think this would be in your wheelhouse, albeit on the Union side, IIRC. Any suggestions would be greatly apprecaited
Shelby Foote’s multi volume history of the civil war.
A good starting point (albeit from only one viewpoint) might be Ulysses Grant’s Memoirs.
Especially if you like economy of style.
"April 1865: The Month That Saved America" Jay Winik. Just an interesting read.
The Killer Angels.
It is actually well researched and in spite of the premise, one that will be severely attacked later in this thread, makes for an interesting read.
Turtledove is good. He is a history professor in addition to an author of alternate history/science fiction works.
A classic alternate history on the victory of the South is Bring the Jubilee, by Ward Moore. The hero, who lives in a world in which the South won the Civil War, travels through time and brings about an alternate history in which the North won at Gettysburg. This might be hard to find. You might have luck using www.bookfinder.com.
If you are interested in the Confederate navy, there is a new book out about the CSS Shenandoah, a Confederate commerce raider that fired the last shot in the Civil War. One of the authors is a descendent of the captain or first officer. The book is Last Flag Down, by Baldwin and Powers. (Powers was co-author of Flags of Our Fathers,)
I’ve always enjoyed Bruce Caton’s Civil War.
Catton is very good. I’ve read all his volumes.
All I’m getting is a red ‘x’ but if you’re recommending Harold Turtledove I really enjoyed is novels of a victorious South and how history would have changed in the insuing decades.
I read one of his altered histories where some white supremists manage to travel back in time from the 20th century and arm Lee’s army with AK47s. Boy, was THAT one a fun read.
Also, Gingrich wrote a series of these type of stories imagining how things would have changed had Longstreet won his argument with Lee at Gettysburg. That one was fun also.
But for the best dramatised history I would highly recommend the Shara (spelling?) series, Killer Angels, Gods and Generals, and whatever the last one was, I can’t remember the title off the top of my head.
I’ve read Shelby Foote’s three volume history, and James McPherson’s “Battle Cry of Freedom.” I’ve also read numerous other books associated with the War of Northern Aggression.
One of my favorite historical authors is Robert Leckie. His Civil War history is titled: “None But the Brave - The Saga of the Civil War.”
Leckie has written other histories, such as “George Washington’s War,” Delivered From Evil - The Saga of World War II,” and “The Wars of America.” His writing style is easy to read, and enjoyable. He also authored a book on the battle of Guadalcanal which I haven’t read. Mr. Leckie was a Marine who fought on Guadalcanal.
Shadow written by Mark Twain, no less, while Grant was dying of throat cancer.
Stanly Horn’s classic Army of Tennessee is a good read, especially since it covers the Confederacy’s second largest field army, which has been completely overshadowed by Lee’s Army of North Virginia in the literautre.
No bother, but I can see a lot of good recommendations from others right of the bat. “The Killer Angels” is an absolutely fantastic historical fiction, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. I’d start there because if you don’t find that book interested, then you’re not going to find the Civil War interesting. After that, it’s hard to recommend just a “Civil War book” because a lot of them get into specific parts of the war. For a general overview of the war as a whole, McPherson’s “Battle Cry of Freedom” is probably the best single volume history. Shellby Foote did the best trilogy. I’d start there and from that you will probably come across battles or leaders you want to learn more about. From that you can find any number of books that delve into the subject or subjects you choose. Enjoy.
It's also available as a audio book. Excellent.
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