Books

Angela State

Specialist III

What is the best civil war book?

September 15, 2011 7:32 AM PDT · Flag · 7 answers

Bobby Alistair-Hicks

Specialist III

Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era (Oxford History of the Uni...

Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era (Oxford History of the United States)

Now featuring a new Afterword by the author, this handy paperback edition of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Battle Cry of Freedom is without question the definitive one-volume history of the Civil War. James McPherson's fast-paced narrative fully ... read more...

This is the Civil War Book of Civil War Books! Expertly researched and written and presented in a very well put together, educated mannor. The author describes the events leading up to, during, and after the war with a sensitivity about it that presents the material in a completely objective and interesting way.
VERY well written and exciting from start to finish. A must read for accurate Civil War facts and tales.

✔ Highest voted answer

Reply · Send thanks · posted 247 days ago · 7 people agree

1 points posted by Harmony Saunders

Yeah I read this book too! It's amazing what these men and women did...what they believed in. I don't think people take pride in their beliefs like they used to. :(
It's just ridiculous to think that this happened so recently in the scheme of things. Wow this country has been through a lot!
I wonder if the people fighting this war would be happy with the way this country has turned out...

Lance Reynolds

Specialist III

1861: The Civil War Awakening

As the United States marks the 150th anniversary of our defining national drama, 1861 presents a gripping and original account of how the Civil War began.1861 is an epic of courage and heroism beyond the battlefields. Early in that fateful year, a... read more...

This is a superbly written book on the events leading up to and the first few years of the American civil war.
I definitely consider myself a history buff and am always on the lookout for my next interesting read.
What I enjoyed about this book is that it's NOT another book of civil war facts organized chronologically (like a history textbook). It goes deeper than that, into the personalities and relationships between these important historical figures, and tries to gain a deeper understanding of why they made the decisions they made.
Very well researched and presented, I can't think of a more in depth book about the civil war.

Reply · Send thanks · posted 247 days ago · 4 people agree

Belinda Bradburn

Professional I

Eyewitness to the Civil War

At once an informed overview for general-interest readers and a superb resource for serious buffs, this extraordinary, gloriously illustrated volume is sure to become one of the fundamental books in any Civil War library. Its features include a dr... read more...

This is a wonderful general civil war knowledge book. If you could only own one civil war book it should be this one. A comprehensive collection of pictures, facts, drawings, eye witness accounts, stories, and narrative about the civil war from start to finish.
I love the pictures in this book. They are incredible and I've never seen them in other books I've read on the subject. It's a book that is fun to read because of the way it is presented - not just text. Pics and drawing make it more user friendly and an enjoyable, interesting read for even the non-history buff.

Reply · Send thanks · posted 247 days ago · 2 people agree

Johnny Winchester

Specialist III

A World on Fire: Britain's Crucial Role in the American Civil War

Acclaimed historian Amanda Foreman follows the phenomenal success of her New York Times bestseller Georgiana: Duchess of Devonshire with her long-awaited second work of nonfiction: the fascinating story of the American Civil War and the major role... read more...

A fascinating book with a different viewpoint than you usually get, Amanda Foreman chronicles Great Britain's role in the war, as the Worlds super power at the time. Very interesting and very different, it offers a totally fresh perspective on the war, a non North/South perspective. Definitely worth a read. Obviously well researched and well written.

Reply · Send thanks · posted 247 days ago · 1 person agrees

Harry Richards

Professional I

The New York Times The Complete Civil War 1861-1865

The Civil War as you've never experienced it before, through original, first-hand reportage of The New York Times, the country's newspaper of record. Available for the first time in a unique book/DVD packageThe New York Times, established in 1851... read more...

this is the coolest civil war book ever!!!! Apparently the New York Times actually had correspondants in the field during the entire war, and right on the front lines.
This book is a collection of every article that was published about the war during the years 1861 - 1865, straight from the battlefield and the soldiers. Amazing first hand accounts of the stories and events you thought you knew...

Reply · Send thanks · posted 247 days ago · 1 person agrees

Bachar Al-Bachar

Novice II

This is painfully obvious.
http://www.amazon.com/Civil-War-Mark-Millar/dp/078...

Reply · Send thanks · posted 88 days ago

Hasty Kayaker

Novice II

The State of Jones

New York Times bestselling author Sally Jenkins and distinguished Harvard professor John Stauffer mine a nearly forgotten piece of Civil War history and strike gold in this surprising account of the only Southern county to secede from the Confeder... read more...

I just finished reading this fascinating true tale of a county of people in Mississippi that refused to join the Confederacy when they seceeded from the Union during the American Civil War. Suffered greatly from the military of both the North and South. I recommend it because it is different from the usual stories of this conflict.

Reply · Send thanks · posted 207 days ago

Voting Summary

1.	Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era (Oxfor...	38% agree
2.	1861: The Civil War Awakening	23% agree
3.	Eyewitness to the Civil War	14% agree
4.	The New York Times The Complete Civil War 1861-...	9% agree
5.	A World on Fire: Britain's Crucial Role in the ...	9% agree