[tsomer]

Read as much of Shelby Foote's Narrative as you can. It's a literary as well as historical classic.

Avoid MacPherson's books; they're propaganda.

[financeprof]

Read as much of Shelby Foote's Narrative as you can. It's a literary as well as historical classic. Avoid MacPherson's books; they're propaganda.

I second both opinions. Catton's trilogy on the Army of the Potomoc is excellent; Freeman's Lee's Lieutenants is an excellent foil to Catton. Unfortunately, there's no comparable work on the Western campaigns, but there are many excellent books on individual campaings and battles, including Wiley Sword's books on Shiloh, Chattanooga, and Nashville; Cozzens' books on Stones River, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, and Iuka/Corinth; and Bearss' work on Vicksburg.