[Cincinatus]

Foote's The Civil War: A Narrative is a truly a marvel -- over 3000 pages and not a dull one among them. I read the entire thing, covers to covers, in sequence, when I was laid up after back surgery a decade ago. I cannot remember enjoying a book as much as I enjoyed Shelby Foote's "book" (which in fact, is one, very long, single book, not a trilogy). Foote was a superb historian and a great writer. May he rest in peace.

[04-Bravo]

In Shelby Foote's memory, I started re-reading "The Civil War." Those three volumes have a prominent place on my bookshelf, along with "Lee's Lieutenants" by Douglas Southall Freeman, and the series by Bruce Catton that ends with "A Stillness at Appomatox."

Often when reading these books, I say to myself, "I wish I could write like that..."