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Best U.S. Civil War books - FReeper opinions sought
Imagination ^ | 7 Oct 2001 | just me

Posted on 10/07/2001 9:23:37 AM PDT by fnord

Hi there. I am going to buy a few Civil War books to get me through the winter. Given the wealth of knowledge here on FR, I am sure some FReepers can give me their recommendations.

I already have Killer Angels and Stillness at Appomatox. Looking for general overall history books and also ones of more specific scope (campaigns, individuals, etc).

Any suggestion would be most appreciated :-)


TOPICS: Miscellaneous; Your Opinion/Questions
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To: kaylar
Thanks for the info! I will have to check it out.
I think my local library actually has a copy, believe it or not!

I have never read Mary Boykin Chesnut's diary; just never got around to it.
I do think that *some* slaves were "happy and loyal" but that they were a definite minority.
I understand Chesnut's plantation "Mulberry" is still standing and is an interesting tourist destination, as is the Museum of the Confederacy.
Since they are both within close driving distance for me (Camden SC and Richmond, respectively), I plan to visit them next summer.

There are so many other books on the War Between the States I need to check out, but haven't had as much time since my daughter was born.
I am just getting back into it in the last couple of months.

If you are interested in other books on American history, an excellent non-War related book I just finished was
Roanoke: Solving The Mystery of the Lost Colony, by Lee Miller.
I live in NC and vacation near Roanoke Island every year.
I've read many books on the "Lost Colony" story, and Miller has come closer than anyone in determining what happened to them.
Probably closer than anyone ever will, unless their remains are ever found, which is doubtful.

Thanks again for sharing that with me!

FRegards,
CD

41 posted on 10/07/2001 6:17:21 PM PDT by Constitution Day
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To: fnord
Try:

1.) "Mathew Brady's Illustrated History of the Civil War", Benson J. Lossing, LLD, Fairfax Press, NY, with 737 Brady Photographs.
Originally published in 1889, reissued ~1987. Extremely useful introduction and epilogue. Enormous amount of detail, fascinating photographs - including a Cherokee Confederate Veteran's Reunion. On the down side, the narrative drifts, lose ends are seldom wrapped up. The weakest part is the hagiography of Lincoln and demonization of the rebels. The tone implies that Lincoln's saintliness and the South's wickedness are presupposed. Reflects the political climate and self-rightness of the triumphant North at that time.

2.) Ambrose Bierce's Civil War (anthology). Dover Books. Priceless. A personal and idiosyncratic view of the war by a Union Officer who later became a famous American wit and newspaper writer. Bierce's disaffection and cynicism were shared by more thoughtful Union veterans than one reading Benson J. Lossing, LLD might be inclined to believe. Mostly biographical, some fiction, the two are never confused. There is more truth in fiction, often, than in history. "The Incident at Owl's Creek" is especially haunting. "What I Saw at Shiloh" tells you what it was like to fight at Shiloh better than Bruce Catton can ever know.

42 posted on 10/07/2001 6:19:35 PM PDT by Lonesome in Massachussets
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To: 2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten
huge ditto to Shelby Foote's trilogy !

it'll take ya awhile, but worth it ...

43 posted on 10/07/2001 6:21:52 PM PDT by tomkat
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To: miss marmelstein
Lee & Grant" by Gene Smith. A wonderful dual biography of two amazing gentlemen

That is a good book, and there's also Grant and Lee By Major General JC Fuller. Differs from the Smith book as being more of a study of the generalship of the two commanders. Fuller tells us how he started the book convinced that Lee was the greatest general of the civil war, and Jackson was a close second. He ended it believing that Grant was not only the greatest general of the civil war...he was one of the greatest US military leaders of all time.

And don't laugh: "Gone with the Wind." Still the most accurate portrayal of the home front at the time of the Civil War.

There's a novel that was written at the time which bears comparision to GWTW : Miss Ravenel's Conversion from Secession to Loyalty by J W DeForest, a Union veteran. The book deals with a southern belle's conversion, obviously, and the concommitant threeway romance between her and two rival Union officers. DeForest is considered an early "realist" writer, but while a talented writer, his works were not popular with contemporaries. They prefered more sentimental books, and his output was small. Both factors have prevented him from receiving the recognition to which his talent entitles him.

44 posted on 10/07/2001 6:31:57 PM PDT by kaylar
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To: Constitution Day
He also wrote, The South When it Was Southern, and The Last Rebel Yell. I haven't read those two.
45 posted on 10/07/2001 6:34:03 PM PDT by kaylar
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To: Constitution Day
We're hoping (some decade) to be able to take a whole summer and just tour civil war sites. We've seen Pea Ridge, WestPort, Boonville, and a few memorials to dead confederates, but poverty has restricted us to battle grounds in MO and north AR. There's just not a whole lot in MO. The Confederate Old Age home is barely an hour's drive, we've seen that, but that's about it. (Needless to say...it no longer has any residents, being a museum now!)

He wants to see Gettysburg ; I want to see Shiloh and Vicksburg.

46 posted on 10/07/2001 6:38:44 PM PDT by kaylar
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Comment #47 Removed by Moderator

To: fnord
Saw a GREAT interview w/Jay Wisnik on Booknotes. Pick up 'April, 1865.'
48 posted on 10/07/2001 6:41:20 PM PDT by bird humming
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To: fnord
For a highly readible narrative of the entire event, nothing beats, Foote's Trilogy. After that, then pick a battle or person that interested you and examine the better studies that will likely be more detailed. Foote's smaller volumns are segments of the larger narrative for the most part...i.e, the Gettysburg campaign in "Star in their Courses" is just like his account in the larger narrative. Buy the first one in hard back,,,,you'll want to keep them.
49 posted on 10/07/2001 6:52:26 PM PDT by KC Burke
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To: All
And in some shameless self promotion: Here are some books I am credited in. Buy two or three copies. hehe

While God is Marching On

A Scythe of Fire

50 posted on 10/07/2001 10:57:42 PM PDT by flying Elvis
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To: all
Coburn's Brigade

The Richmond Campaign of 1862

51 posted on 10/07/2001 11:05:14 PM PDT by flying Elvis
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To: fnord
Shelby Foote's trilogy for a good overview.

Co. Aytch by Sam Watkins is very interesting. Somebody ought to make a movie of Sam's story. Kind of a Southern "Red Badge of Courage" only better, IMO.

The Stars in Their Courses by Shelby. Get the audio tape, Foote reads it himself. With his voice and accent, you could almost think Foote was on Gen. Lee's staff and made the recording just after Gettysburg. Awsome.

Stick to the major historical authors for well written histories of specific battles.

Although many books have been written looking at the same battle, different authors will have different styles and explain certain aspects better than another author.

52 posted on 10/07/2001 11:36:02 PM PDT by muleskinner
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To: muleskinner
Forgot - Consider joining a Civil War preservation group. Either the Civil War Trust for overall site perservation activity or a local group that concentrates on one site, i.e., Friends of Gettysburg.

If preservation is important to you, it's the most rewarding activity you can do.

53 posted on 10/07/2001 11:44:47 PM PDT by muleskinner
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To: 2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten
couldn't agree more...go with Foote's work.
54 posted on 10/07/2001 11:53:37 PM PDT by Keith
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To: kaylar
Index of the Civil War in Missouri Links and Resources
55 posted on 10/08/2001 12:12:18 AM PDT by CARDINALRULES
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To: CARDINALRULES
Well dang....some of the links are 404. It had been a while since I last checked.

;-(

56 posted on 10/08/2001 12:25:56 AM PDT by CARDINALRULES
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To: LLAN-DDEUSANT
I'd be interested in a more detailed explanation of why you characterize Adam's book as you do.
57 posted on 10/08/2001 7:10:54 AM PDT by Aurelius
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To: CARDINALRULES
Some still work ! Thanks!
59 posted on 10/08/2001 7:57:11 AM PDT by kaylar
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To: Labyrinthos, johnny7
I almost hate to say this, but Jeff Shaara's writing seems forced in comparision to his father's works.

"Gods and Generals" is a good book, but reads too much like a romance novel in parts.

His characterization of Gen. Jackson--complete with scenes showing his "softer" side--seems artificial. Maybe it's just me, I don't know.

60 posted on 10/08/2001 2:27:31 PM PDT by LincolnLover
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