A Civil War Treasury of Tales, Legends and Folklore

by B.A. Botkin, Warren Chappell (Illustrator)

B. A. Botkin was one of the greatest American folklorists. With his students he crisscrossed the country to record the stories we tell one another. From the most enduring of American events, the Civil War, come tales of bravery, cunning, pathos, humor, and faith. True or fanciful, these accounts endure because they express authentic reactions and have the power to explain, counsel, and console. Here are the stories of military leaders—Lincoln, Lee, Jackson, Sherman—as told in the ranks and at home, by freedmen, women, poets, deserters, patriots, and resisters from both sides. As important as what actually "happened," these tales reveal the true picture of how Americans felt and spoke about the war.

Genres: Civil War, History, American History, Nonfiction, Military Fiction, War, Civil War History

625 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1960

Reviews

[Jdetrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an incredibly well researched and occasionally fascinating book that, I believe, may not be for me. I found some of the stories very interesting and some of them offer a revealing look at the feelings of the participants in the Civil War, but at the end of the day, they are very short stories, and it is a very long book. I think I've realized that, for me to enjoy a book of this length, I need it to be one continuous narrative, fiction or non-fiction. That being said, as something that someone dips into and out of, I can see this being an incredibly fascinating work.

[Frank Minich · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mildly entertaining and occasionally amusing.
Sometimes hard to follow with respect to persons and locations - I’m not familiar with the names of all the Generals on both sides, which seemed to be a prequisite.

[Meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The verses on the pages for each section were odd, though the calendars were great.

[Priscilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book, full of every type of story! This book gives readers a great glimpse into the human part of the Civil War through humorous accounts, sad stories, and everything in between.

[David Vanness · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a collection of writings from many books, sources and well footnoted. One of Gen. Grant I truly enjoyed. "...I never learned to swear,...When a boy I seemed to have an aversion to it, and when I became a man I saw the folly of it. I have always noticed, too, that swearing helps to rouse a man's anger; and when a man flies into a passion his adversary who keeps cool always gets the better of him." [page 369]. It was time well spent to get a better understanding of our ancestors who gave so much in this struggle.

[Max · Rating 4 out of 5]

This might not appeal to anyone else, but for a Civil War-buff like myself, this was indeed a treasure-trove of anecdotes about soldiers, their commanders and the people who loved them. It tells tales from both sides of the country, Yankee and Confederate alike. There are quite a few tales of Abraham Lincoln, ranging from his election to his death almost 4 years later to the day. My favorite story involves a rambling tale of inept bureaucracy with too many generals and not enough regular soldiers--as most stories usually end up. I highly recommend this to any Civil War fan.

[Cws]

CW9737Bot

[Jonna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book for research for a book I'm writing. It contained lots o very useful information.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this book. Well-collected stories that are funny, sad, or just interesting. Wish I could use them with the kids I lead around.

[Xdw · Rating 3 out of 5]

a collection of short mostly 1 or less page snippets. easy to pick up and put down.