A History of the Civil War: The Conflict that Defined the United States

by Professor Brooks Simpson

In this account of the bloodiest war fought on American soil, Brooks Simpson recounts the events of the war from the opening salvo at Fort Sumter through the battlefields of Gettysburg and Shiloh to the Confederate surrender at Appomattox Court House.

A History of the Civil War brings to life the realities of the war and the people who lived through it. It explains how the politics around slavery led to an unbridgeable divide between North and South and examines the strategies that led to the Union's eventual victory in 1865.

Genres: History

232 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 1, 2023

Reviews

[Rick Patterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perhaps I got this with some hope of understanding where America is right now a little better, but the introduction put that to rest pretty quickly. Simpson says clearly that this is intended as an overview that may whet the audience's appetite to find other, more in-depth books that will offer clearer and closer analyses of the before, during, and after of the American Civil War. Fair enough. I still want to know how the USA ended up collapsing into fighting factions that were so very very willing to shed each other's blood, because (gulp) I am seriously worried that conditions are heading that way again south of the 49th parallel. That's dark, but as a former teacher I have to believe that we do occasionally learn lessons from history to forestall terrible choices in the future, so that was my motive in returning to the infamous War Between the States.
One surprise is that slavery was absolutely one of the contentious issues but there were very few politicians on either side of the Mason-Dixon Line who were interested in destroying it as an institution right away. Lincoln's eventual vice-president, Andrew Johnson, was responsible for a bill that Congress passed to the effect that the abolition of slavery would not be an official position of the Union. It wasn't until 1863 and the Emancipation Proclamation that Lincoln was ready and willing to take such a stand, and that seemed only to prolong the war because the Confederacy then clearly understood that the fight was more or less an existential one that would preserve or destroy their way of life. Another surprise was how doomed the Republican administration thought themselves to be as the federal election of 1864 came around: Lincoln even prepared a document that his cabinet were to sign that anticipated the dissolution of the nation in the event of a Democrat victory and a subsequent negotiated peace with a still viable Confederacy. Apparently, the landslide victory was as much a surprise to Lincoln as it was to his former general McClellan, the Democrat nominee for president that year.
Anyway, not that I was looking to get into gruesome detail about how and why so many young men died on the fields of Gettysburg and Antietam and Shiloh, but I did want a better understanding of why they were so prepared to go. Not in this book, which is more or less what the author describes it as: a bit of an overview.

[Susan Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a student of history and particularly the Civil War, I am always interested in reading new interpretations of what occurred and why. A great deal of the book was spent on the conditions and issues that lead to Secession and the outbreak of war. The major conflagrations were covered briefly and perhaps missed some of the key components to the battles. And there was considerable time spent on the aftermath and Reconstruction.

It certainly shone a new light on a number of things but I do have a tiny problem with those who want to tear down what was once put up because it is distressing. It is my belief you have to look at both sides if you want to understand the implications. Seldom is there black and white. But the author does make some compelling arguments as to the challenges and trials that were not settled at the time and led to another century of pain and violence. But it is unfair to paint everyone with the same brush.

Four purrs and one paw up.

[Tarik · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent overview of the civil war. What I really appreciated about this book was the detail of the current events leading up to the war as well as the aftermath and the political environment a decade after the war.

The book also demonstrated the ramifications of the war leading all the way up to the current day. The social and political climate created from the war can still be felt today.

[Ron Baumer · Rating 4 out of 5]

An informative look at the civil war. The author presents the side and opinions from both sides and explains the political and social reasons behind the war. A great book for the civil war enthusiast.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great introduction! This book is what an introductory text should be. All of the major events are covered in a narrative that is equal parts great reading and knowledge filled prose.