The Blue and the Gray, Vol. 1

by Henry Steele Commager

Reproduces over 150 narratives that combine to present a history of the Civil War in the words of first-hand participants and observers, covering events from the nomination of Abraham Lincoln to the eve of Gettysburg.

Genres: Civil War, History, Picture Books, Nonfiction, American Civil War, American History, War

640 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1950

About the author

Henry Steele Commager was an American historian who helped define Modern liberalism in the United States for two generations through his 40 books and 700 essays and reviews.

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book comprised of two volumes of letters, articles, and reports of battle written by participants ot non-combatant observers. These vignettes are often compelling and fascinating accounts of these battles. I have read several books by Civil War novelist Jeff Shaara, who is noted for his thorough research. I've heard him report that he spends 6 months on research for every 6 months of writing. So far, I have noticed that much of Mr. Shaara's research came from these battle accounts since much of his dialog is verbatim from these writings. It has been sort of exciting to vindicate his honor through substantiating his research...even if it is all occurring only in my mind.

[Jdb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I stumbled across this book in an antique store several years ago and finally read it. What a treasure!
This book is for those readers with a special interest in the Civil War, even though it contains some incredible observations. This book was published in 1950 and is a compilation of nearly 400 comments from a wide range of participants. They are taken from memoirs, letters, biographies, and newspaper articles.

This book differs from the usual high level narrative of the war in that it consists solely of individual ‘on the ground’ experiences. They are often grim, sometimes grandiose, occasionally humorous, and always personal. They include military as well as civilian contributors. They even included letters from England as the Union and the Confederacy competed for England’s support.

This author also wrote a similar book about the revolutionary war, which I will have to add to my list.

P.S.- for those ‘ lost cause’ romantics who insist the war was not about slavery, I refer you to one of the first articles in the book: the declaration of secession from the state of South Carolina. There it is in black and white. It was slavery stupid !

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was just the most amazing book. It sat on my shelves for a long time until my husband and I decided to read it aloud.
These essays, letters and snippets of history were written by the ordinary soldier, if there is such a thing, and officers from both sides of America's Civil War. It presents perspectives of each side about the same battles and includes letters from historical figures such as Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses Grant and Robert E. Lee.
It is well worth the time and effort to read of the "human" side of war rather than just the historian's stark figures or studies of how the battles were won or lost.

[William Guerrant · Rating 5 out of 5]

1200+ pages of primary sources and first person accounts, this has to be one of the finest books written (compiled) about the American Civil War. This selection of material allows readers to see the era through the eyes of those who lived it. After a good one-volume popular narrative history, this should be the second book read by anyone interested in understanding the Civil War era.

[John Kitzmiller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two volumes in one, collections of reports, diaries, letters, news stories dealing with the U.S. Civil War. The book gives one a better understanding of the people involved and affected by the war. Included maps weren't very helpful, not much more than road maps not reflecting front lines or unit movement. A separate atlas of Civil War maps would be very useful.

[Kendrick Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Same format as Battles and Leaders, where the war is described from start to finish with short articles written by people that witnessed the event

[Michelle Melchin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eve Bunting wrote The Blue and the Gray in a clever way. The story of the Civil War was told through landscape and its history. The text switches from the left to the right side of the page, but it is always blended in with the picture. The picture fades to give room to the text. The illustrations enhance the text because it adds to the story. As the family talks about the history of the land the illustrations take you back to time in the Civil War. It displays what the imagination may have left out. Half of the book is in birds eye view and the other is in worms eye view. These different angles help play a part in this story. It either allows the reader to feel apart of the story or lets them take a step back as if they were looking in. There are no borders, which also pulls the reader in.

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

A valuable companion to reading Team of Rivals in order to follow the Civil War, in real time dispatches,journals and essays,which completely evoke the temper of the times,just as Kearn's book brings Lincoln the man to life.The Blue and the Gray is a rich, uneven tapestry, told in many voices, by the actual participants of the war and as such is best sampled like a huge feast, in small portions at once. I found myself skimming thru sections that were drier than others and then following every dreadful page of the Battle for the Wilderness or the suffering of the civilians at Vicksburg.I know I will refer back to this book many times over the years whenever I read another book about the War to get the 360 degree perspective that one can only get from those voices who have lived this hell.This book is the real deal by the real heroes,dead and living.

[Julie Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

About history, remembering. The boy juxtaposes the past & present of a former Civil War battlefield that will soon be his property in the same way that we all do when we stand at the site of some historically significant moment. Poetic, sentimental, but I didn't appreciate the father's observation that the Civil War was the "worst kind" of war because it was "us against us." Brother against brother. I disagree, but getting the kids to think that people who were once "friends" could end up so extremely on different sides of a war or an issue is valuable to an extent. I'll have my son read it, but it's not a "must read." I'm anxious to see his reaction.

[Katie Jimenez · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story tells about the Civil War and how it was the North against the South, or the blue against the gray. It is told in first person through the eyes of a young boy, so it is interesting to see his thought process, and understanding of life during that historical time. The father tells stories to the young boys about the Civil War, and the things that happened right in their backyard as the boys try to make sense of it all. The illustrations filled both pages of the books, and the words were blended in with the illustrations as if the artwork added more to the story. I really enjoyed how the pictures helped them imagine what happened during the stories.

[(NS) - Heather Hayman · Rating 3 out of 5]

In The Blue and the Gray, a black and white family are both building new houses on a spot that overlooks the field where the Civil War took place. The white boy's father describes the battle to the two boys who are quite good friends, and the imagined scenes are outlined in the illustrations, then compared to the calmness of the present time. The language of the story makes this tale even more compelling with an easy way for children to truly understand the events that took place during the war.

[Megan Goss · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like the front and back cover because the picture of the two boys (one is white and one is black) depicts the title as well as the American and Confederate flags behind them. The front cover shows modern day America versus the Civil War era on the back cover. I liked that the story was in first person in the perspective of the boy whose dad was telling them the story of the Civil War. This made it seem more personal as well as all of the full bleed illustrations. I liked the alternating between the present and the Civil War scenes and how the two boys relate it to their lives.

[Children's Literature Project · Rating 5 out of 5]

DRA: 20-24


Two young boys, one African American, one Caucasian, become friends while exploring the grassy fields near to their new home's construction sites. The area was a historical battlefield. Every time they meet, they reflect on the events of the 1862 Civil War. The boys also seek answers about the brutal war from their relatives at home in order to understand what happened. They agree that the field they play at are much more than just a place where they have fun, but it is a place that helped initiate the changes in the way of living that they could experience in the present.

[Jed Summers · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took a while to get through this monster of a book, but I'm so glad that I did. It is a story that I wish every American had a better understanding of. It's also humbling to see this story told from the perspective of dozens of those who actually participated in the struggle. It makes today's troubles pale by comparison. Particularly inspiring are the accounts of those who were intimately acquainted with Lincoln, Grant, and Lee.

[Janelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet book that weaves the past and the present, as two boys discover the history of their new home/land. As the story recounts the Civil War battleground, the boys illustrate the legacy of the War, that two children, one black, one white, can now be friends and neighbors.

The rhyming scheme seems meant to provide rhythm when reading, but I found it unnecessary.

[Walter Rabon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best thing I've ready on Civil War. Is chronological compilation of eyewitness accounts that tell the story of the war. Commager is a first class historian and introduces each account to provide background and context. Only a few uninteresting accounts in 1100 page tome or would be 5 stars! for sure!

[Shuang Zheng · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cover of this book is two boys, one is white and one is black, and they are friends. This book's pictures are oil painting, and use father talking the story about the civil war, and the friendship between two boys. No matter which color they are, the friendship between two children are simplicity.

[Maggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I may not necessarily use this book as a read aloud to students, I do appreciate its recognition of the past as something to be remembered for what it was- not always shiny and simple. In its recognition of the Civil War as an intense battle that led to freedom for many, the reader gets to remember that freedom did not come easy for all people.

[Dick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two volumes written by Henry Steel Commanger - classic books. If you are a Civil War student and you do not have these books, your library is sadly deficient.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book probably is more interesting if one lives back east, because then there are battlegrounds all over the place.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

civil war remembrance

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A touching bridge into the past.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Now I know we're not supposed to say this, but I hate the majority of Eve Bunting books I've read. Maudlin historical fiction.

[Tiffany Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great resource for lower elementary grades. It is historical fiction and could be used as a mentor text for word choice and/or descriptive writing.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two volumes in one book that examines the Union and Confederate armies of the American Civil War. It is a well researched and well written history of the Civil War.

[Ryan M. Hanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my most favorite Eve Bunting book, but still good.

[Sharla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reviewed for Heartland School.

[Brittney Swetmon]

a book about best friends and their experience with the civil war

[Marjorie Cummings · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of the civil war told today to and through two boys, one black one white. Their houses are being built on a civil war battlefield.

[Jacey Hull · Rating 5 out of 5]

This a great book to teach about unity and the civil war.