The Civil War Chronicle: The Only Day-by-Day Portrait of America's Tragic Conflict as Told by Soldiers, Journalists, Politicians, Farmers, Nurses, Slaves, and Other Eyewitnesses

by J. Matthew Gallman, Eric Foner (Introduction)

In this moving chronicle of what acclaimed historian Eric Foner calls (in his introduction) "the most decisive turning point in American history," we hear the real voices of the soldiers, nurses, farmers, laborers, slaves, and freed people who lived through America's most tragic conflict. The Civil War Chronicle is a much-needed collection of the letters, diaries, speeches, telegrams, newspaper accounts, and official battlefield reports penned by those people, both famous and anonymous, who felt compelled to record their experiences because they sensed that their lives were significant. Also included are hundreds of period images which, along with the carefully chosen yet highly eclectic accounts, help recapture the day-to-day texture of life during the Civil War at all levels of Union and Confederate society.

From the election of Abraham Lincoln and the firing on Fort Sumter to Robert E. Lee's surrender and the assassination of Lincoln barely a week later, The Civil War Chronicle presents an astonishing array of perspectives and conflicting accounts of this very personal war. Read, for example, Clara Barton's remembrance of her first trip to the front lines, or Ulysses S. Grant's description of early Civil War combat, or the letter written by an escaped slave in which he assures his still-enslaved family, "I will have you if it cost me my life." Even longtime students of the Civil War will find a rich bounty of details and anecdotes that have previously escaped them.

Genres: Civil War, History, Nonfiction

544 pages, Hardcover

First published October 31, 2000

About the author

J. Matthew Gallman, also known as Matt Gallman, is an American educator and author of books about nineteenth-century history, particularly relating to the American Civil War.

Reviews

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only day-by-day portrait of America's tragic conflict as told by soldiers, journalists, politicians, farmers, nurses, slaves and other eyewitnesses. I only read sections--copied section on Battle of Kennesaw Mountain into my ancester's genealogy sheet who was wounded at that battle. May need to use again for other Civil War soldiers in my ancestry. Wonderful book!

[Mark Hodges · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly, I found this to be bit dull and lacking in general. What seems like a good idea - a day-by-day "portrait" - is actually better in theory rather than in practice. First of all, it's not an actual chronicle, per se. It's more of a general overview that touches on different aspects of the war as it progresses - letters, speeches, anecdotes, etc. Sometimes it's interesting, but many times it just rambles along rabbit trails that don't really add much to the overall narrative at hand. It's more of a hodgepodge type of gathering that lacks focus and direction, and for this I think it suffers.

I'm not sure if a true day-to-day chronology would be an improvement (or even interesting), but I think it would at least have a centralized theme.

[Dianeh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to agree with Mark’s review. This book seemed to ramble around from unrelated events. Although there were many poignant letters and dairy entries.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great history of the events of the Civil War. I liked how this book was laid out in chronological order so that you know what events occurred when. In addition, it was nice to be able to see what events were occurring simultaneously. The best part of this book, however, was the fact that it was filled with primary sources. The speeches, as well as diaries, and letters of correspondence between people help you to know what people were thinking and feeling. It was like reading history, but also being there and experiencing it too.

There were numerous wonderful pictures in the book which I really enjoyed, but I would have liked some maps to help me visualize where the events took place.

[Bob Stockton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not only are the primary events of the war discussed, this book includes a number facts that I'm sure will be new to even students of the period. A good mix of contempary newspaper articles, diary entries, letters, abd offical documents. However, don't start this book unless you have a real interest in the Civil War.

[False · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been reading a lot about the Civil War. One of my "return" subjects over time. This book chronicles the Civil War, by every day with one or more interesting snippets. A good overall book to start with.

[Alex]

The Civil War Chronicle : The Only Day-by-Day Portrait of America's Tragic Conflict as Told by Soldiers, Journalists, Politicians, Farmers, Nurses, Slaves, and Other Eyewitnesses (2000)

[Zak · Rating 3 out of 5]

i thought the book was ok because it had cool pictures, but not very good descriptions.