BS: American Civil War - recommended books?

Subject: BS: American Civil War - recommended books?
From: Will Fly
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 10:17 AM

One of the problems of being taught history in English schools in the mid-50s was that it was very often presented in a "good" v. "bad", simplistic fashion, with obvious British biases. So, in the English Civil War, for example, Cromwell and the Roundheads were "bad" and Charles I and the Cavaliers were "good". Similarly, the American Civil War was presented as a battle about slavery, with the "bad" South versus the "good" North.

However, history and politics is rarely that simplistic and, with retirement looming, I'm interested in improving my historical knowledge in certain areas. I'd like to read some books, old or new, which give a good, detached analysis of the causes and the outcomes of the struggle - and wonder if 'Catters have recommendations.

Subject: RE: BS: American Civil War - recommended books?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 10:57 AM

I would suggest:

1. Gods and Generals

2. The Killer Angels

3. The Last Full Measure


Those 3 books form a trilogy that tells the story of the military campaigns in the Civil War from beginning to end, and with plenty of coverage of the primary characters on both sides. That war was partially about slavery, partially about state's rights, partially about relative proportional representation in Congress, partially about rapidly developing industrialization (in the North) versus an old agrarian society (in the South)....very much about money (as usual)...and political power (as usual). The emotional issue to provide as a strong motivator for people in the North to go and fight was the slavery issue. People aren't so likely to go and fight over crass issues of who gets the money and political power...but they will fight over a moral issue like slavery, that's for sure.

There were both ethical issues and pragmatic issues. There were many good people and a few scoundrels on both sides. There was right and wrong on both sides. The side that was weaker in numbers and industrial strength inevitably lost after several years of bitter, absolutely terrible warfare, most of it fought on Southern ground. More Americans died in that war than in all the other wars the USA has fought.

Subject: RE: BS: American Civil War - recommended books?
From: Micca
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 11:32 AM

Will, I would also very strongly reccommend "The American Civil War" (TV series on DVD) of Ken Burns, it gives the Big Picture I felt quite well and gave me much more of an understanding of both the events during, and the issues leading up to the Civil War and has given me an idea of some of the experts and historians on the subject to explore further when I have more time, such as the Late Shelby Foote, who impressed me muchly.

Subject: RE: BS: American Civil War - recommended books?
From: Goose Gander
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 11:32 AM

Battle Cry of Freedom by James McPherson is a good place to start. Not the whole story, but an excellent introduction.

Subject: RE: BS: American Civil War - recommended books?
From: alanabit
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 12:54 PM

Bruce Catton's "A Stillness At Appamattox" is the best - and most disturbing account I have read of the war. You can read about it here.

Subject: RE: BS: American Civil War - recommended books?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 12:57 PM

That sounds excellent from the synopsis, alanabit. I had not known of Mr Catton's books, and I will have a look at them.

Subject: RE: BS: American Civil War - recommended books?
From: Terry McDonald
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 01:08 PM

There's also Brian Holden Reid's 'The Origins of the American Civil War' which looks at events and politics during the three decades preceding the outbreak of war.

Subject: RE: BS: American Civil War - recommended books?
From: KB in Iowa
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 01:15 PM

I agree with both 'Battle Cry of Freedom' and 'A Stillness at Appomattox'

BCoF is the best one volume history I have read.
ASaA is volume three of a trilogy about the Army of the Potomac. The account of Spotsylvania was pretty intense.

A note about the three works mentioned by Little Hawk. Those are works of historical fiction. If that is your cup of tea then have at them. I have heard good things about them, they are said to be pretty true to the real story, but I prefer my history straight. I tried to read 'The Killer Angels' once but didn't like wondering which bits had been invented to move the story along.

Bruce Catton also wrote a trilogy covering the entire war 'The Coming Fury' 'Terrible Swift Sword' and 'Never Call Retreat'

Shelby Foote wrote a narative history trilogy as well that is very readable. Foote's sentiments are with the South, Catton's are with the Union.

Subject: RE: BS: American Civil War - recommended books?
From: catspaw49
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 01:20 PM

There are many good books and many written in the day that make for good reading. Not everyone will agree on any author and will often argue the merits and flaws of the their works, but let me suggest two excellent writers on the War Between the States.

Although he has been suggested above by Alan for "A Stillness at Appamatox," I would suggest your best read by Bruce Catton is his historical chronological trilogy of:

**The Coming Fury (1961)
**Terrible Swift Sword (1963)
**Never Call Retreat (1965)

These books are not just the war or dry history. Catton loves anecdotal stories and this series also focuses in on the economics and social effects of the war along with the politics that drove it.

The other author I like is Shelby Foote. Catton was born in the north and Foote in the south but ther is no real biias on either part but their own heritage does occasinally come through with both men. Shelby Foote has a number of great books but for the best overall history, like in Catton's case, the three volume set titled "The Civil War: A Narrative" is excellent. Generally only sold as a set, they are:

**The Civil War: A Narrative. Vol 1: Fort Sumter to Perryville
**The Civil War: A Narrative. Vol 2: Fredericksburg to Meridian
**The Civil War: A Narrative. Vol 3: Red River to Appomattox


Finally, for what might well be the best single volume telling, I'd say James McPherson's "Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era" is the best. It's a part of a series but this one volume covers the war pretty well.


Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: American Civil War - recommended books?
From: catspaw49
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 01:23 PM

Well great minds think alike KB! I was still typing and you beat me to it but our opinions seem to agree........Now the real question------Who do you like......Foote or Catton? LOL

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: American Civil War - recommended books?
From: ard mhacha
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 01:38 PM

Shelby Footes books are a must read, I would agree with Micca the TV series by Ken Burns is excellent.

Subject: RE: BS: American Civil War - recommended books?
From: Lighter
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 01:39 PM

Bruce Catton was one of the most highly regarded Civil War historians of the 1950s and '60s. He was also a wonderful prose writer. All of his book are outstanding.

There are too many worthwhile historical accounts to list. MacPherson is certainly accurate in his facts, but he may be a little too idealistic in his outlook.

Harry S. Stout's "Upon the Altar of Freedom" shows why neither side needed to carry out a rabid propaganda campaign: the preachers and the papers did it for them.

Two of the most realistic novels(though long): "The Crater," by Richard Slotkin; and "Andersonville," by Mackinley Kantor. Offhand, I can't think of an outstanding novel about the Civil War home front, North or South, but there has to be one. (Not "GWTW.")

Most interesting movies: "Gods and Generals" (yeah, I know, they hated it) and "Glory."   "G & G" is mainly about Stonewall Jackson, but IMO captures the romantic atmosphere of the 1860s (though certainly not for the slaves). I think that's what most of the critics couldn't handle: the 1860s were *not* the 1960s or even the 1990s. A lot of people found "G & G" too long and talky. The battle of Fredericksburg is quite something.

"Glory," about the first regiment of African-American soldiers, seems more like our world. The history is reasonably accurate for a movie, too. It also has less talk, making it easier to take.

Subject: RE: BS: American Civil War - recommended books?
From: open mike
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 04:11 PM

i think the writer of the lewis and clark story...Undaunted Courage has written about the Civil War. His name is Stephen Ambrose if i recall correctly.

http://www.amazon.com/Americans-at-War-Stephen-Ambrose/dp/0425165108

Subject: RE: BS: American Civil War - recommended books?
From: Jamming With Ollie Beak (inactive)
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 04:19 PM

Ken Burns series The Civil War is available on DVD, well worth watching

Subject: RE: BS: American Civil War - recommended books?
From: KB in Iowa
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 04:23 PM

spaw, I actually prefer Foote even though I am a Union Man. He has a Southern slant but doesn't bludgeon the reader with it. He is from Mississippi if I recall so having a southern slant is to be expected.

Personally I really enjoy reading regimental histories, diaries and letters. These bring the realities of the war to life in way the sweeping histories, even the best of them, just can't match.

Subject: RE: BS: American Civil War - recommended books?
From: Lighter
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 06:38 PM

Foote is a good historian too, but his books require a significant time commitment.

Catton wrote a one-volume history of the entire war called "This Hallowed Ground." That may be the best one-volume intro for someone who hasn't read much already.("A Stillness at Appomattox" is a classic too, but only covers the last year of the war.)

Catton (1899-1978) had the advantage of knowing several Union Civil War veterans in his childhood. So he was a little closer to how they felt - or said they felt.

Subject: RE: BS: American Civil War - recommended books?
From: Severn
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 07:46 PM

For making the military campaigns come alive, anything by Stephen W. Sears or (the man with the best name ever for a military historian) Wiley Sword.

Emory Thomas is another one you can't go wrong with.

Subject: RE: BS: American Civil War - recommended books?
From: Rapparee
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 09:33 PM

"Lee's Lieutenants" for a study of the command in the Confederate Army. None better on the subject than this 3-volume work.

The movie "Gettysburg" is based on "Killer Angels" and I find it excellent.

Subject: RE: BS: American Civil War - recommended books?
From: Uncle Phil
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 09:54 PM

Several books sprang to mind when I saw the title of the thread, but all of them have already been mentioned. I agree that Battle Cry of Freedom by James McPherson is a great place to start. There is so much written about the US Civil War that it's easy to get lost in the details. Reading McPherson first will give you some context – national and international politics, economics, overall military strategy – that will help when reading the other works.
- Phil

Subject: RE: BS: American Civil War - recommended books?
From: Ron Davies
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 10:34 PM

Lighter--McPherson "too idealistic"? Specifics on that?   

I found that McPherson got both details and the sweep of the topic--a amazing achievement in one volume.

Subject: RE: BS: American Civil War - recommended books?
From: Ron Davies
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 10:35 PM

"an amazing"

Subject: RE: BS: American Civil War - recommended books?
From: Lighter
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 10:54 PM

McPherson's book is fine. In fact, I endorsed it!

I just seem to remember (from many years ago) feeling that he could have been a little more skeptical of the professed idealism of the times. Sorry I can't be more specific. It was just a feeling.

It certainly shouldn't put anybody off the book.

Subject: RE: BS: American Civil War - recommended books?
From: Ron Davies
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 11:04 PM

I thought he was appropriately hardnosed on all the factors involved. Particularly good--among many other topics-- on the ticklish legal questions Lincoln had to wrestle with as a result of not declaring war, which he of course could not do--POW problems for instance.

Also good on anti-war figures and movements:   "Fire in the Rear".

His book is definitely the indispensable first step to any understanding of the war.

Subject: RE: BS: American Civil War - recommended books?
From: JedMarum
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 11:20 PM

There are so many to read - written by great minds with lyrical hands - but if you are looking for a peak at the intentions and personal impressions of the alternate side (that is the side of the argument less played) - I would start with reading "Kate Cumming; Diary of a Confederate Nurse."

Kate was a Scottish immigrant to the US. She was very bright, educated, deeply thoughtful and deeply partisan. You will see a side to this period you never saw before.

Likewise, read William McCarter's Memoir - "My Life in the Irish Brigade" for great insights into the personal experience of a thoughtful individual - who had deep feeling about the war years, and an eloquent pen. McCarter was also an immigrant (Irish) and fought for the Union.

You'll find both titles at Amazon.

Subject: RE: BS: American Civil War - recommended books?
From: EBarnacle
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 11:40 PM

I read a book earlier this year about Stonewall Jackson, the premise of which was that he was probably the best general on either side and, had he not been shot by accident, might have changed the course of the war. A secondary premise was that he was severely held back by both Lee and the politicos, such as Jefferson Davis, keeping him from achieving all he could have done.
Unfortunately, I cannot recall the name and the book has been loaned out.

Subject: RE: BS: American Civil War - recommended books?
From: robomatic
Date: 21 Aug 09 - 12:00 AM

I endorse spaw's comments re: Catton and Foote. Catton's books came out around the Centennial of the Civil War.

I'd add his book: "Grant Moves South" to the list. And the Civil War series by the Burns Brothers was some of the finest television ever done in the U.S.

For some writing of the time, I'd recommend the short, acerbic works of Ambrose Bierce. He's kind of the American Saki, with memorable short stories, some set in the Civil War.

Also "The Red Badge of Courage" by Crane which I think was post Civil War but not by a lot.

The United States has been changed by several critical periods, none greater or more desperate than the Civil War with the possible exception of the War Of Independence.

Which brings me to the English Civil War, a period I find absolutely fascinating. I think without the English Civil War there would not be an independent United States.

I'm open to suggested reading on it.

Subject: RE: BS: American Civil War - recommended books?
From: catspaw49
Date: 21 Aug 09 - 12:55 AM

I think my favorite (amd many others as well) text from the times is "Company Aytch." Sam Watkins, a confederate soldier writes with pathos and humor about the war.   It was originally written for a newspaper in Columbia, Tennessee and I think it was called "Report from Co. Aytch" at the time but whatever it was it stands as possibly the very best account of the life of these men. This covers mainly the war in the west (meaning Tennessee back then) from Shiloh to Atlanta with notable stops at Nashville, Chickamauga, and Chattanooga.

I lived in both Nashville and Chattanooga and used to spend many hours at Chickamauga. I am forever taken with the terrain through the plateau and into the mountains at Chattanooga. I thought often of men making this trek in the late winter and spring with piss poor shoes, wet woolen clothing (or less), blankets the same, living on limited food with both armies ill supplied overall....................It was indeed a different breed of men.


Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: American Civil War - recommended books?
From: Will Fly
Date: 21 Aug 09 - 02:32 AM

Well - what riches! My sincerest thanks to all the suggestions in this thread. My retirement present from work will, I know, include a fairly substantial book voucher from Amazon or somewhere similar - and I now have a fairly extensive selection of titles to choose from!

There might even be a collation of Matthew Brady prints into a volume somewhere...

Many thanks again!

Will

Subject: RE: BS: American Civil War - recommended books?
From: Severn
Date: 21 Aug 09 - 03:46 AM

The collection of Brady photos I have is in a biography called "Mathew Brady: Historian With A Camera" by James D. Horan. The National Historical Society's "The Image Of War: 1861-1865" series volumes are good photographic histories.

To narrow some things down with the authors I mentioned above, Sears largely covers the Eastern theatre of war while Sword covers the "Western" theatre (still East of the Mississippi, though).For Steven A Sears, try, "To The Gates Of Richmond: The Pennensula Campaign", "Chancellorsville" or "Landscape Streaked With Red: The Battle Of Antietam" For Wiley Sword, try "Mountains Touched With Fire: Chattanooga Besieged, 1863".

For a rare comprehensive view of what was happening West of the Mississippi clear to the West Coast, try Alvin M.Josephy's "The Civil War In The American West" which tells about battles, politics, Indian Wars, the railroads and other things that were happening concurrently with the better known events back East and ties them into perspective nicely.

For Emory Thomas, his "Bold Dragoon:The Life Of J.E.B. Stuart" or "The Confederacy As A Revolutionary Experience" are good places to start.

For everyday life in both capital cities, "Reveille In Washington" by Margaret Leech and Ernest B. Fergurson's "Ashes Of Glory: Richmond At War" are both excellent.

Among the best Regimental Histories are "The 20th Maine" by John J. Pullen and "The Last Full Measure: The Life and Geath of the First Minnesota Volunteers" by Richard Moe on the Union side and James I. Robertson, Jr.'s "The Stonewall Brigade" and William C. Davis'"The Orphan Brigade: The Kentucky Confederates Who Couldn't Go Home" for the Confederate side.


Bell I. Wiley's "The Life Of Johnnie Reb" and "The Life Of Billy Yank" and Reid Mitchell's "Civil War Soldiers: Their Expectations And Their Experiences" are good books on the life of the individual soldier.

Subject: RE: BS: American Civil War - recommended books?
From: ard mhacha
Date: 21 Aug 09 - 04:22 AM

The photographic history of the Civil War publisher The Blue and Grey Press 1987, is a massive collection of a wide range of photos, as I am interested in old photos the 5 books containing two volumes in one are a treasure. They contain a large number of Matthew Brady`s work.
A kind friend in Redding California brought them all the way to this corner of Ireland,a very heavy load and very much appreciated.
Of interest to the members of this Site are the songs and poems included in volume 5.

Subject: RE: BS: American Civil War - recommended books?
From: Lighter
Date: 21 Aug 09 - 08:47 AM

Stephen Crane wasn't born till 1871. Whatever the virtues of "The Red Badge of Courage," personal experience isn't one of them. Sam Watkins wrote in 1882 and "Company Aytch" is online:

http://books.google.com/books?id=HyhCAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA9&dq=%22company+aytch%22#v=onepage&q=%22company%20aytch%22&f=false


Ambrose Bierce was present at the battle of Shiloh in 1862, but didn't start writing fiction about the Civil War till many years later. His bitter recollection of "What I Saw at Shiloh" (1881) is worth reading. And it's free:

http://books.google.com/books?id=9Zepl6EEquwC&pg=PA234&dq=bierce+%22what+I+saw+of+shiloh%22&as_brr=1#v=onepage&q=&f=false

Walt Whitman was a hospital volunteer in Washington, and he wrote a few memorable poems about the war. Herman Melville, author of "Moby Dick," was a civilian, but he wrote what I think are the greatest Civil War poems: "The College Colonel" and "The March into Virginia" being possibly the best. Though written in a kind of Shakespearean voice, I'd say they're timeless.

The Bell I. Wiley books are indispensible for soldier life. The seamy side of it is covered in Thomas Lowry's "The Story the Soldiers Didn't Tell," based entirely on court-martial records.

Subject: RE: BS: American Civil War - recommended books?
From: Jamming With Ollie Beak (inactive)
Date: 21 Aug 09 - 09:43 AM

William A. Frassanito's book Antietam: The Photographic Legacy of America's Bloodiest Day, published in 1978.

Antietam has been described as the bloodiest single-day battle in American history, with a total of about 23,000 casualties on both sides.

Olivia Beak (Ms)

Subject: RE: BS: American Civil War - recommended books?
From: Severn
Date: 21 Aug 09 - 09:47 AM

Correction: I gave Stephen W. Sears as Stephen A. Sears by mistake in my second post.

Subject: RE: BS: American Civil War - recommended books?
From: Rapparee
Date: 21 Aug 09 - 10:00 AM

"The Landscape turned red" by Stephen Sears is an excellent study of Antietam (and you should know this battle, the bloodiest of the ACW and possibly the bloodiest in US history).

"An Uncommon Soldier" by Lauren Burgess is the story of a woman who served as a man in the New York Volunteers -- one of many.

Subject: RE: BS: American Civil War - recommended books?
From: Rapparee
Date: 21 Aug 09 - 10:02 AM

Oh, and while you're at it, don't forget the war in Missouri, Texas, Arkansas, Kansas...or the Battle of Vickburg or the naval actions.

Subject: RE: BS: American Civil War - recommended books?
From: Severn
Date: 21 Aug 09 - 11:19 AM

Rapaire's right. "Landscape TURNED Red" I couldn't find the book and posted the title wrong. Sorry!

Daniel E. Sutherland's "The Expansion Of Everyday Life 1860-1876" Tells about the rapid changes in civilian life during the War and during the years afterward. His "Seasons Of War:The Ordeal Of A Confederate Community 1861-1865" focuses on civilian life in Culpepper County, Virginia as the War raged in and around it.

Subject: RE: BS: American Civil War - recommended books?
From: Greg F.
Date: 21 Aug 09 - 11:32 AM

Hullo!

All of the books ( with the exception of the fictional treatments and "what if" stories) mentioned are excellent, and will provide a good chronicle of the events, battles, strategy etc. of the American Civil War.

However, if you're seeking to UNDERSTAND the Civil War, you'll need to cast your net a bit wider.

Two excellent recent books are Faust, Drew Gilpin : This Republic of Suffering 2008 and Foner, Eric (editor):
Our Lincoln: New Perspectives on Lincoln and His World 2008. And of course Doris Kearns Goodwin's Team of Rivals, which is much more than a "Lincoln biography".

There are so many others, its impossible to list them here, but do take a look at Foner's other books as well as those by Leon Litwack, Franklin Moss, Harold Holzer, Ir Berlin, Eugene Genovese, William Loren Katz, Catherine Clinton, Herbert Gitman, William Styron, Frederick Douglass and Solomon Northrup, to name but a few.

Its a fascinating and complicated story. Have fun!

Greg

-------

LH: I'm surprised to note you're still beating that "states rights" dead horse. That myth and the whole "Lost Cause" fairytale were debunked years ago as the white-supremecist nonsense they are.

Subject: RE: BS: American Civil War - recommended books?
From: Goose Gander
Date: 21 Aug 09 - 12:44 PM

So much has been written about Lincoln, much of it myth-making (I'm afraid Doris Kearns Goodwin approaches this) and/or demonization (see anything written by Thomas Dilorenzo). It may be time to go directly to the source. I recommend Lincoln on Race and Slavery edited by Henry Louis Gates.

Subject: RE: BS: American Civil War - recommended books?
From: Greg F.
Date: 21 Aug 09 - 01:09 PM

...myth-making(I'm afraid Doris Kearns Goodwin approaches this)

Don't be afraid. Her book is one of the best documented that's been written in a VERY long time. Its clear that she LIKES Lincoln and admires him, but "myth-making"? Hardly.

The Gates book is an excellent work, too & should be read along with Goodwin's.

Subject: RE: BS: American Civil War - recommended books?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 21 Aug 09 - 09:11 PM

We clearly have a misunderstanding of some sort about that, Greg. ;-) Perhaps I should PM you about it rather than having this thread devolve into a bunch of inappropriate and hostile political arguments. Let's stick to discussing the good books about the Civil War, shall we?

I just got one Bruce of Catton's books out of the library, and it's turning out to be excellent.

Subject: RE: BS: American Civil War - recommended books?
From: Rapparee
Date: 21 Aug 09 - 09:18 PM

Of COURSE it's excellent! You got it out of a library, didn't you??

Subject: RE: BS: American Civil War - recommended books?
From: John on the Sunset Coast
Date: 21 Aug 09 - 09:34 PM

I don't know if you would consider fiction as a additional alternative to reading history, but here is a suggestion:

"Proud New Flags"
"Our Valiant Few"
"Blue Hurricane"

These books comprise a trilogy of the Civil War by master story tell, F. Van Wyck Mason. I read them over forty years ago, at least the first two. One gets a rousing story with a wonderful sense of time and place...they are well researched As I recall, they are told somewhat from a Southern viewpoint, but encompass most of the period.

The novels are semi-sequels to Mr. Mason's four volumes on the American Revolution written in the '30s and '40s, in that descendants of characters from those novels show up in the Civil War books.

Each book stands on its own, and I found each a pleasure all those years ago.

Subject: RE: BS: American Civil War - recommended books?
From: Ron Davies
Date: 21 Aug 09 - 11:15 PM

I don't know why anybody would want to read fiction on this topic when there is such an incredible wealth of good nonfiction.

As far as the slavery issue is concerned, the statement that "slavery was the strong motivator for people in the North to go and fight" is so simplistic as to be misleading.   As McPherson (p 312) makes clear, at the start neither the North nor South, for different reasons, emphasized slavery as the crucial issue. On 4 July 1861, Lincoln, not for the first time, said he had "no purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with slavery in the States where it exists."   In the South the hope was for quick recognition or other assistance in Europe, especially by Britain, and the approach was portraying Southerners as fighting for "the sacred right of self-government" (and a steady supply of cotton to Europe).

Even after the Emancipation Proclamation, fighting slavery was not a popular motivator for most whites in the North. The Proclamation was also in large part tailored for foreign, especially British, consumption. A clear mark of the unpopularity of defeating slavery as a motivator is the draft riot of 1863--that is, definitely after the Proclamation. Poor draftees, especially Irish, were being told by their political leaders, e.g. Democratic Governor Seymour of New York, that they were being drafted so blacks could come north and take their jobs.

A simplistic approach is to be shunned in studying the Civil War--or any historical issue.

As far as other books, I believe that after reading McPherson, the best approach in other books is a narrow focus.

I found Stonewall Jackson, by James I Robertson, to be an eye-opening portrayal of the man--I was particularly fascinated by the complex relationship he had with his men--they appreciated his leading them to victories, but he had no problem ordering deserters to be shot--and even "a soldier verified by two other men as straggling for the second time in the battle was to be executed promptly" (Robertson p 653).   His religiosity is also striking.   

I'd also recommend The Rebel Raiders, by James deKay, on the career of the "Alabama" and the other raiders of the "Confederate navy"---and on the machinations behind their construction and departure from Britain, especially the British government's sins of omission in letting this occur.

And, of course, a host of other books on any number of specific aspects of the war.

Subject: RE: BS: American Civil War - recommended books?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 21 Aug 09 - 11:50 PM

You are quite right in what you say, Ron.

"As McPherson (p 312) makes clear, at the start neither the North nor South, for different reasons, emphasized slavery as the crucial issue. On 4 July 1861, Lincoln, not for the first time, said he had "no purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with slavery in the States where it exists."

The primary issue for the North in that war was to restore the Union and put down a secessionist movement which was, in Northern terms, both illegal and unacceptable. (and that is the way secessionist movements are virtually always regarded by nation-states)

The primary issue for the South was to assert their right TO secede, and their right to existence as a sovereign nation separate from the North.

Those 2 positions were completely irreconcilable. Thus you had a war, one which could end only in the defeat of the South or in its emergence as a separate nation-state.

Was slavery one of the crucial issues in that war? Yes. It was one among several crucial issues, but one which the politicians on both sides appear to have initially regarded as a hot potatoe which they would rather not handle or refer to in any way. That's because the White people of that era day were not about to go out en masse and die so that Black people could be either free or enslaved, but they sure as hell were ready to out en masse and die for what they saw as their country.

Based on a good deal of reading I have done already on this war, I would say this:

The average Northern soldier did not fight to free the slaves...he fought to save and restore the Union from secessionist "rebels". The average Southern soldier did not fight to maintain slavery...he fought to defend his home ground against what he saw as a Northern invasion and preserve the Confederacy. The primary and overwhelming motivator on BOTH sides was simple abd very fervent patriotism to the land and the society that one had grown up in and was familiar with, and that is why they both fought so damn hard...and why they both felt so utterly justified in a moral sense.

Lee, for instance...you know what Lee was fighting for? He was fighting for "Virginia". He said that more than once and he meant it. He was, first and foremost in his own mind, a Virginian, and that is what he fought for in that war. Once Virginia had declared for the Confederacy, the die was cast as far as Robert E. Lee was concerned. Had Virginia declared for the Union, however, then Lee would have accepted Lincoln's open offer to him and taken command of the Union Army at the start of the war!

There was a tremendous loyalty to one's home state in that era, absolutely tremendous and way beyond what you see today...in fact, it played merry havoc from time to time with the South's ability to organize its armies effectively as a united national army, and it was a real thorn in Jefferson Davis's side, and probably a bit of a problem for Lincoln too from time to time.

They (the vast majority of them) didn't think like we do now...not about race, and not about many other things. People's values have changed a lot in the last 150 years in North America.

Subject: RE: BS: American Civil War - recommended books?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 22 Aug 09 - 01:17 AM

Ironically enough, Greg, I couldn't resist the impulse myself to get sucked into making some more political comments! Ron said some things that interested me so much that I could not hold back. (sigh)

A study of the bizarre 4-way election campaign of 1860, the results of which basically made secession and civil war inevitable, can provide for some interesting reading.

See this wickipedia article:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_election,_1860

Here's a quote from the summary at the beginning (I added the italics):

The United States presidential election of 1860 set the stage for the American Civil War. The nation had been divided throughout most of the 1850s on questions of states' rights and slavery in the territories. In 1860 this issue finally came to a head, fracturing the formerly dominant Democratic Party into Southern and Northern factions and bringing Abraham Lincoln and the Republican Party to power without the support of a single Southern state.

Hardly more than a month following Lincoln's victory came declarations of secession by South Carolina and other states, which were rejected as illegal by the then-current President, James Buchanan and President-elect Abraham Lincoln.

Subject: RE: BS: American Civil War - recommended books?
From: John on the Sunset Coast
Date: 22 Aug 09 - 01:43 AM

"I don't know why anybody would want to read fiction on this topic when there is such an incredible wealth of good nonfiction."

It's true there is an incredible wealth of good non-fiction on this --and other--topics. That does not negate that fiction has another, insight or emotion to add. One might just as well say why read John Steinbeck, there's so much good reportage, exposes and news reels out there regarding the depression.

Why sing songs about historic events...or current events?

Ron, you really disappoint with that comment.

Subject: RE: BS: American Civil War - recommended books?
From: Tangledwood
Date: 22 Aug 09 - 05:41 AM

Will, if you're a reader of fiction you're probably familiar with Bernard Cornwall's novels on Waterloo, the Napoleonic era and Indian peninsular wars. They're very readable, spin a good yarn and, as far as I know, they're also pretty well researched. He has a series on the American Civil War. I've just enjoyed reading Rebel; whether or not it could be considered "educational" somebody better informed should judge.

Subject: RE: BS: American Civil War - recommended books?
From: Will Fly
Date: 22 Aug 09 - 06:19 AM

I'm aware of the "Sharp" books - the UK TV series over here is very popular and, from what I can tell, very good.

Oddly enough, another fictional character, from the Victorian novel "Tom Brown's Schooldays" - Flashman - has been reincarnated in the excellent novels by the late George MacDonald Fraser. His research was also excellent, and I believe one of the Flashman novels is set against the background of the American Civil War.

Subject: RE: BS: American Civil War - recommended books?
From: Greg F.
Date: 22 Aug 09 - 08:27 AM

As McPherson (p 312) makes clear, at the start neither the North nor South, for different reasons, emphasized slavery as the crucial issue.

Bullshit. Absolute unmitigated bullshit.

Apparently you (and apparently McPherson?) have never read the South Carolina Ordinance of Seccession(available on line), any of the other states' ordinances (also available on line) or the writings & speeches in Congress of Jefferson Davis, Alexander Stephens, John C. Calhoun, et.al.(pertinent excerpts available on line).

This is the problem I mentioned above in that focusing on "the war" alone without adequate study of the ante-bellum north & south will present a skewed and inaccurate picture.

... this thread devolve into a bunch of inappropriate and hostile political arguments.

I dunno about "inappropriate", LH- after all, the war itself was a political arguement. And trying to get at the truth- rather than perpetuate myths- would seen "appropriate" to me.

Subject: RE: BS: American Civil War - recommended books?
From: JedMarum
Date: 22 Aug 09 - 11:16 AM

Yes Spaw - I'd forgotten about "Company Aytch." Great Book!

I think one is better of, beginning with the subjective readings. There's plenty of great history - and so many of the factual, academic accounts - but starting out with a good understanding of the opinions and observations of a few, eloquent individuals is a great way to start.

... and I love the Bruce Catton books! Great history, well written!