The Civil War

NPR American Chronicles

by National Public Radio

NPR captures the battlefield action, the personal struggles, and the moral dilemmas of the war that pitted brother against brother (and sometimes sister) and friend against friend. This revealing collection of Civil War stories features gripping history, expert commentary, and unforgettable Foote reflects on the southern perspectiveE.L. Doctorow discusses Sherman and The MarchSam Waterston performs the Gettysburg AddressHal Holbrook honors Iowa in the Civil WarSusan Stamberg reports from Lincoln’s summer retreatJames McPherson tours Gettysburg’s hallowed groundTony Horwitz explores the world of Civil War reenactorsPlus visits to battlefields at Manassas, Antietam, Gettysburg, and much more.The NPR American Chronicles series explores the historical events that continue to resonate in our lives. Expert commentary and unforgettable stories create vivid sound portraits of history’s greatest people and events, examined in multi-faceted and moving detail. 

Genres: History, Civil War, Audiobook, Nonfiction, War, American History

3 pages, Audio CD

First published March 22, 2011

Reviews

[Brian Eshleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a little short on quotable lines, which is my usual measure, but it is high-quality nevertheless. In an effort to cover a massive topic in a short time, the producers of the series choose compelling figures to speak with such as James McPherson, Shelby Foote, and Sam Waterson memorably reading the Gettysburg Address.

[K · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was really good, I was simply looking for a different style involving more in depth historical figures and descriptions of battle maps and dates.

[Steven Brandt · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a fact-filled and heartfelt documentary, you need look no further than NPR. They’ve been producing award-winning documentaries for a long time, and they’re pretty good at it. In The Civil War , the first installment in NPR’s new American Chronicles series, we get some vivid memories and accounts of one of our nation’s darkest hours. This is not the bland statistical information that you might find in a history book, but the true-life stories that really drive it home.

In this three-hour reproduction of the radio broadcast, you’ll find real accounts, from real people, like a man who actually witnessed Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, and recorded his thoughts and memories of the day onto a 78-rpm record in 1938. There are also interviews with noted Civil War historians such as Shelby Foote, Geraldine Brooks, and E.L. Doctorow. In addition, there are segments that explore the origins of timely songs like Dixie, and The Battle Hymn of the Republic. One of my favorite segments on the three CD set, was the story of the girl who dressed up in a Union uniform so she could fight alongside the men, which she did for the duration of the war. Naturally, in addition to the colorful human interest stories, you’ll also find accounts of the major battles of the Civil War: First and second Manassas, Antietam, Vicksburg, it’s all here.

Narrator Neal Conan is an award winning journalist, and is host of Talk of the Nation, a national news-talk call-in show on NPR news. He has been involved with NPR for more than 25 years in a wide variety of functions.

For history buffs, this one’s a no-brainer. I highly recommend NPR’s American Chronicles: The Civil War . Personally, I felt at once humbled and proud as I listened to this unabridged production. Humbled to learn more of the war that nearly ripped our nation in two, and proud of the way that, in the end, it held together. I can’t wait to hear more from the American Chronicles series.

Steven Brandt @ Audiobook-Heaven

[Michael R · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unoriginal but beautifully done - classic NPR.

[Brian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not sure why this is considered a book. This is just a hodge podge collection of NPR stories about the Civil War. There isn't any focus and it doesnt appear anything was created for this, just a collection of radio stories.

[James Biser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent review of the history of the Civil War. It is impressive how much is shown about the decisions and actions of the leaders of both sides of the conflict. This is a fantastic lesson of that period of American history.

[Patrick · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just read a book.

[Mandyhello · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cried like 4 times..

[Dale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Published in 2011 by HighBridge Audio
Multicast performance
Duration: 2 hours, 59 minutes

NPR has searched through its archives and found 29 stories that make for a very interesting listen if you are a student of the Civil War.

There are interviews with historians, including James McPherson and Shelby Foote and authors like Tony Horwitz, Jay Winik and E.L. Doctorow. Sam Waterston reads the Gettysburg Address (so good!) and Hal Holbrook talks about a project of his about the impact of the Civil War on Iowa.

There are also interviews with regular people, like the African American family that comes to see the original Emancipation Proclamation and turns it into a profound and moving educational event.

None of it is very deep, but all of it is deeply interesting. This is a must-listen for all amateur historians of the Civil War.

I rate this audiobook 5 stars out of 5.

See all of my reviews of NPR audio productions here: http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/searc...

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading two historical fiction books on the civil war, I came across this audio-book format dramatization quite by accident. As expected from NPR it was extremely well done. Historical documents read by and small vignettes told by various personalities bring the voices of the Civil War to life. Well worth the listen.

[Tom · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sadly mired in NPR's PC commentary, this is a haphazard collection only partially redeemed by the brilliant and sadly missed Shelby Foote and a wonderful recording from the 1920s of a man who heard Lincoln at Gettysburg when the speaker was a boy. The rest is sadly vapid and wrapped in 21st Century sensibility.

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really well done and extremely educational for listeners of all ages. Just like I was listening to NPR, but back to back to back to... well you get the idea stories from sites were the Civil War played out.

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this audio twice while driving home for a family reunion.
Each story tugs at your heart and the narration is beautiful.