Best Book on the Civil War (Roman, general, events, military)

[kemcnyc]

Looking for opinions on the BEST Civil War book.

A few parameters that I lean towards:
1. Reasons for the War
2. Soldier/ family of soldiers experiences
3. Strategy, etc..
4. If possible.... less pages then War and Peace.

Just finished a book called "This Republic of Suffering" which focused on the death and dying in the war. Very interesting (perhaps a bit morbid). Looking for more!

I realize there is a Book Forum, but I think the History thread might be better suited for the question.

All suggestions appreciated! thanks.

[Rhett_Butler]

Well the old stand-bys (which I'm sorry to say are about the "War and Peace" size are

- Battle Cry of Freedom - McPherson

and the series by Shelby Foote (I think it's just called "The Civil War").

I'd be interested to hear other good ones as well.... I've primarily spent time reading regimental histories of late...

20th Maine
1st Minnesota
8th Georgia

(So far.. )

[TexasReb]

Originally Posted by Rhett_Butler

Well the old stand-bys (which I'm sorry to say are about the "War and Peace" size are

- Battle Cry of Freedom - McPherson

and the series by Shelby Foote (I think it's just called "The Civil War").

I'd be interested to hear other good ones as well.... I've primarily spent time reading regimental histories of late...

20th Maine
1st Minnesota
8th Georgia

(So far.. )

Interesting thread topic, Rhett. I have read (and have in my "collection") both McPherson's and Foote's. And would have to generally agree that the two are a pretty good definitive history of the War. McPherson, of course, takes a pretty much obvious "pro-North" slant...but all in all, it at least gives "air time" to the Southern side and his narrative of the merits and history of the military campaigns are well done and fair. Just on a related tangent, he (McPherson) gives much credit to to the fighting qualities of the Southern officers and common soldier. I always liked this one (quoted from the diary of a federal officer):

"It is beyond all wonder how the Rebel troops fight on as they do. That worn, sick, hungry and miserable, they prove themselves such heroes in a fight is past all explanation.."

Bruce Canton's series on the War is also a great collection...

[Irishtom29]

I started with Catton when young and still find his books excellent. "THis Hallowed Ground" is Catton's one volume histroy of the war and is unapolegetically from the Federal point of view.

McPherson is the standard.

Foote is entertaining but you have to watch him; he's not footnoted and didn't let the truth ruin a good story.

[TexasReb]

Originally Posted by Irishtom29;11328980[B

]I started with Catton when young and still find his books excellent. "THis Hallowed Ground" is Catton's one volume histroy of the war and is unapolegetically from the Federal point of view.[/b]

McPherson is the standard.

Foote is entertaining but you have to watch him; he's not footnoted and didn't let the truth ruin a good story.

*curious. How many did he actually have, IrishT? I have a couple, but not the whole collection.

[Grandstander]

I think McPherson's book an astonishing achievement. A comprehensive treatment of an amazingly complex subject, in one volume, which is both rigorous enough for the academics and readable enough for the general public.

Foote's trilogy is immensely enjoyable because he structured it to read like a novel. We may forgive him his tendency toward over romanticizing the Southern side, but that was the novelist in him coming out. His prose is delightful, his affection for his subject manifest.

For books on strategy I would endorse:
Amazon.com: Attack and Die: Civil War Military Tactics and the Southern Heritage (9780817302290): Grady McWhiney: Books

Attack and Die: Civil War Military Tactics and the Southern Heritage by Grady McWhiney and Perry D. Jamieson. They traces the ultimate Southern defeat to the high casualty rates sustained by the Army of Northern Virginia during its victories of '62-'63. Lee typically scorned a defensive position in favor of aggressive attacks. It won him battles, but was costing him the war. It is all supported by an impressive array of quantitative tables. While not the only reason the South lost, the authors certainly convinced me that this was a major reason for that outcome. (There is also a theory about Southern fighting superiority being linked to Cavalier/Roundhead ancestry, but I found it just a distraction.)

If you are the sort who wants to really do your homework on strategy, then there are two works that are mandatory, neither especially enjoyable reads.
"How The North Won" by Herman Hattaway and Archer Jones, and "Why the South Lost the Civil War" by the same two authors, along with Richard Beringer and William N. Still Jr. They are really one big 1200 page book which exhausts every aspect of strategy you could wish. Not what I would call a fun read, probably not what you had in mind, but it is the gold standard in the field.

As for soldier's life, I have better news. There is an utterly delightful series of books written/assembled by Richard Wheeler which describe the war using first hand accounts from the participants, which Wheeler surrounds with some narrative to give us the larger picture and context. These are fun reads. The titles describe the events being covered..."Witness to Appomattox", "Sword Over Richmond", "Witness To Gettysburg", "Siege of Vicksburg" etc. I think that there are seven or eight of them out there.

Anyway, when you have all that read, come back and I'll give you some more.

[thriftylefty]

The Sable Arm, by Dudley Cornish
"Pioneering. . . . Readable, interesting, sound, with important insights."--James M. McPherson, author of The Negro's Civil War

[Irishtom29]

"Battle Tactics of the Civil War" by Paddy Griffith dispels several myths about the war including the supposed domination of the battle field by the rifle musket. "The Rifle Musket in Civil War Combat, Reality and Myth" by Earl Hess also debunks "common knowledge" about the rifle musket.

[Grandstander]

Originally Posted by Irishtom29

"Battle Tactics of the Civil War" by Paddy Griffith dispels several myths about the war including the supposed domination of the battle field by the rifle musket. "The Rifle Musket in Civil War Combat, Reality and Myth" by Earl Hess also debunks "common knowledge" about the rifle musket.

Such as?

[bluebeard]

I inherited "The Impending Crisis" by David Potter. What're the opinions on this one?