Antietam

by Bruce Catton

Here, in this essay by Bruce Catton, winner of the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award, is the story of Antietam, the first, major Civil-War battle fought on Northern soil and the bloodiest single-day clash in American history.

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

10 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 12, 2016

About the author

Bruce Catton was a distinguished American historian and journalist, best known for his influential writings on the American Civil War. Renowned for his narrative style, Catton brought history to life through richly drawn characters, vivid battlefield descriptions, and a deep understanding of the political and emotional forces that shaped the era. His accessible yet meticulously researched books made him one of the most popular historians of the twentieth century.
Born in Petoskey, Michigan, and raised in the small town of Benzonia, Catton grew up surrounded by Civil War veterans whose personal stories sparked a lifelong fascination with the conflict. Though he briefly attended Oberlin College, Catton left during World War I and served in the U.S. Navy. He later began a career in journalism, working as a reporter, editor, and Washington correspondent. His experience in government service during World War II inspired his first book, The War Lords of Washington (1948).
Catton achieved national acclaim with his Army of the Potomac trilogy—Mr. Lincoln’s Army (1951), Glory Road (1952), and A Stillness at Appomattox (1953)—the last of which earned him the Pulitzer Prize for History and the National Book Award. He went on to publish a second trilogy, The Centennial History of the Civil War, and contributed two volumes to a biography of Ulysses S. Grant, begun by Lloyd Lewis. His other notable works include This Hallowed Ground, The American Heritage Picture History of the Civil War, and Waiting for the Morning Train, a memoir of his Michigan boyhood.
In 1954, Catton became the founding editor of American Heritage magazine, further shaping the public’s understanding of U.S. history. In 1977, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Catton’s legacy endures through his vivid portrayals of America’s most defining conflict and his enduring influence on historical writing.

Reviews

[Keith Bulgerin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good explanation of the dynamics that made this battle memorable.

I learned what made this battle what it is known for the devastation and loss of life. Generals choices led to that result.

[deborah flint · Rating 2 out of 5]

Waste of time

The 20 minutes to read this thing was an absolute waste of time.If you wanna read about Antietam you 're gonna have to actually read a book on it. Bruce Catton was not the author of this thing.This took just a few words out of his book.

[Kent R. Spillner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short Yet Enjoyable Summary of the Battle

I really enjoy Bruce Catton’s writing style. It’s detailed without getting bogged down In minutiae. He does a good job of painting the scene so that you can easily follow the action.

[Brian E Sanders · Rating 1 out of 5]

RIPOFF!

This book was a very short review of this battle. Barely 50 pages. What the heck is going on here?

[Jesus · Rating 5 out of 5]

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[George Polansky · Rating 5 out of 5]

A closer look at the Battle of Antietam.

[David Blair · Rating 4 out of 5]

Way too short - lacks context - not up to author’s high standards - but still a good read b/c it’s Catton!
Should be 3 stars but couldn’t do that.

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Catton Essay on the Battle if Antietam

Short pithy description of the 1 day battle. 22,000 killed or wounded. McClellen was too cautious. Lee was, perhaps too optimistic.

[Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative Read

Easy to read and understand. Condense overview of a key battle of the Civil War. Very informative, engaging, and interesting.

[Steven Meadows]

Pure Carton.

Accurate, factual and beautifully written by a wordsmith such as Bruce Catton, this is a concise starting point for anyone wishing to understand one of the most important and bloody days in American history.

[Howard White · Rating 3 out of 5]

I expected so much more from the author. This is a very short snopsis of a very important campaign in the Civil War. The books adds nothing to understanding the campaign and the commanders.