Discovering the Civil War

by The National Archives Experience's "Discovering the Civil War" Exhibition Team, Ken Burns (Contributor), Darlene McClurkin (Contributor)

Focusing on specific records to build into individual stories, this facinating book features over four hundred letters, diaries, photographs, maps, petitions, receipts, patents, amendments, and proclamations from the unparalleled holdings of the National Archives. It takes a fresh look at the war through little-known tales, seldom-seen documents, and unusual perspectives.

Genres: Civil War, Nonfiction, History

208 pages, Hardcover

First published December 16, 2010

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Discovering the Civil War" by the National Archives Experience Team was a real treat, the book is a treasure trove of unexplored artifacts of our nation's past. It serves as a companion to the two exhibits created and exhibited at the National Archives that helped introduce visitors to the many facets that made-up the Civil War.

Within the covers of this book was evidence of the human component in a war so many generations removed from my own. It is easy to talk in a detached way about the Civil War, after all there are no living human "artifacts". But such diverse articles as letters home and prisoner of war records help put a human face on our past.

"Discovering the Civil War" would make an excellent addition to any historian's library. Yet it is also easily accessible by those people unfamiliar with the intimate details. My only regret is being unable to compare the contents of the book to the actual exhibit. However, if the actual exhibit was even half as good as this book was, then it was well-worth the viewing.

[David Elton]

Discovering the Civil War. National Archives. Stories about individuals, with lots of pictures and documents. How hard it was to fight. Stories of separation of families, black and white. How hard it was on the Negroes during and after the war. April 25, 2021

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fabulous addition to information about the Civil War!

[Sherri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent photos and documentation. A read through or coffee table book to glean bits and pieces. Wishing I could have seen the actual exhibit that this book compliments.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating compilation of documents from the National Archives showing a human side to the era