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American history novels

post #1 of 10
1/8/10 at 1:58am
Thread Starter 
Hello,

I'm looking for my next book to read and thought this as good a place as any to get some American ideas.

Particularly I'm looking for something along the lines of 1800s American history, such as the civil war, the war of 1812, the trial of tears, perhaps even earlier, such as the war of independence (Hope I've got these all right!).

The main problem that I've run into, is that I'm not actually looking for a factual text, or history book per se. More of a novel, story book if you will.

Listened to Johnny Cash's America again recently and fancied something along those lines, but in paper form.

Cheers
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post #2 of 10
1/8/10 at 8:21am
The Killer Angels may be a little too straightforward historyish for you, but it is an awesome novel.
Cold Mountain
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post #3 of 10
1/8/10 at 8:36am
Gore Vidal wrote several novels set around the period you are talking about, the couple I read were very good.
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post #4 of 10
1/8/10 at 11:48am
For the civil war, you really can't go past Michael The Killer Angels and the sequel and prequel written by the son Jeffery Sharah (who also wrote about the Mexican-American War and the War of Independence). Cold Mountain is also a good read. Also of note is Brit author Bernard Cornwell's series Teh Starbuck Chronicles: http://www.bernardcornwell.net/index...e=1&seriesid=2 David Nevin has a new book out, simply called 1812 which has had some good reviews. Robert L. Worley also has a series set around the War of 1812. Finally, if you prefer alternate history and 'what ifs', Hary Turrtledove set several of his works in the US civil war. And, of course, Gone With The Wind is a classic.
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post #5 of 10
1/8/10 at 12:06pm
A lesser-known, but totally wonderful writer you may want to consider is Howard Bahr. He has a trilogy of books set during and slightly after the Civil War (The Black Flower, The Year of Jubilo, and The Judas Field) that are very well-regarded. And, if you find that you like those books, he has a book about a railroad disaster on Christmas eve in 1940 (Pelican Road) that is - for me - superb.
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post #6 of 10
1/8/10 at 2:24pm
Thread Starter 
Brilliant gentlemen. Thanks very much, I'll get my teeth into a good few of those.
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post #7 of 10
1/8/10 at 5:23pm
I am quite partial to the historical novels of Allan W. Eckert. Most of them are set on the American frontier in the late 18th and early 19th century--easy reading and very factual and accurate, more like dramatized history.
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post #8 of 10
1/8/10 at 5:42pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by JLibourel View Post
I am quite partial to the historical novels of Allan W. Eckert. Most of them are set on the American frontier in the late 18th and early 19th century--easy reading and very factual and accurate, more like dramatized history.

Great, thanks for that, I'll look them up. Just ordered The Black Flower for £3, so cheers, PITAronin.
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post #9 of 10
1/8/10 at 6:31pm
Check out Undaunted Courage by Stephen Ambrose
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post #10 of 10
1/9/10 at 1:15am
Anything by James A. Michener. Centennial and Chesapeake are my personal favorites.
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