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What is the best book about the history of the US Civil War

post #1 of 14
1/18/10 at 7:41pm
Thread Starter 
I'd appreciate a recommendation for a good single volume that covers the entire war between the states. Readability is important. Not looking for some current revision of Civil War history. Mostly looking for a book that ties together people, dates, and places in a coherent narrative. Anyone?
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post #2 of 14
1/18/10 at 9:04pm
For a single volume history there's only one choice. James McPherson's Battle Cry of Freedom. It is a real masterpiece. http://www.amazon.com/Battle-Cry-Fre.../dp/0345359429
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post #3 of 14
1/18/10 at 11:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Connemara View Post
For a single volume history there's only one choice. James McPherson's Battle Cry of Freedom. It is a real masterpiece. http://www.amazon.com/Battle-Cry-Fre.../dp/0345359429
+ 1. Some versions even have maps & pictures!! And for a three volume, Shelby Foote is a great read: http://www.amazon.com/Civil-War-Narr...3867192&sr=8-1
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post #4 of 14
1/19/10 at 12:26am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Connemara View Post
For a single volume history there's only one choice. James McPherson's Battle Cry of Freedom. It is a real masterpiece.

http://www.amazon.com/Battle-Cry-Fre.../dp/0345359429

+1 - this is a GREAT book if you're into Civil War stuff at all! Be prepared, though, for what you're getting into...
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post #5 of 14
1/19/10 at 11:59am
Quote:
Originally Posted by JustinW View Post
+ 1. Some versions even have maps & pictures!! And for a three volume, Shelby Foote is a great read: http://www.amazon.com/Civil-War-Narr...3867192&sr=8-1
Foote is indeed a good read but it's not particularly good history.
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post #6 of 14
1/19/10 at 12:11pm
Not specifically on the civil war, but I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in history.

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post #7 of 14
1/19/10 at 12:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ArrrrJay View Post
Not specifically on the civil war, but I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in history.



Thanks for the advice Will Hunting.
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post #8 of 14
1/19/10 at 1:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Connemara View Post
Foote is indeed a good read but it's not particularly good history.





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post #9 of 14
1/19/10 at 2:51pm
^ Great stuff.
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post #10 of 14
1/19/10 at 3:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ArrrrJay View Post
Not specifically on the civil war, but I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in history.
Lol.
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post #11 of 14
1/19/10 at 7:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by JustinW View Post



If you are academically inclined, read one of the histories recommended. If you are less so, buy this (from which, most of the Shelby Foote exerpts above were taken). I would contend that for most people you will learn more and retain more that is useful from watching this than from all the books you will read. What you need from a first pass at the Civil War is context.

The story is too great and the expanse too broad to be fully mastered by reading one book. But you can get a broad outline view from this documentary and then use histories to fill in your understanding of particular events or aspects of the war. Burns does a magnificant job, IMO, of synthesizing the history and making it understandable and digestible for a non-academic audience.
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post #12 of 14
1/19/10 at 8:14pm
Battle Cry of Freedom. HANDS DOWN.
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post #13 of 14
1/19/10 at 9:41pm
Thread Starter 
Ken Burns's work always loosens my bowels.
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post #14 of 14
1/20/10 at 1:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by TGPlastic View Post
Ken Burns's work always loosens my bowels.

There will come a time, young man, when you will be happy to have this knowledge.
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