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Civil War America
An Environmental History of the Civil War
This sweeping new history recognizes that the Civil War was not just a military conflict but also a moment of profound transformation in Americans' relationship to the natural world. To be sure, environmental factors such as topography and weather powerfully shaped the outcomes of battles and campaigns, and the war could not have been fought without the horses, cattle, and other animals that were essential to both armies. But here Judkin Browning and Timothy Silver weave a far richer story, combining military and environmental history to forge a comprehensive new narrative of the war's significance and impact. As they reveal, the conflict created a new disease environment by fostering the spread of microbes among vulnerable soldiers, civilians, and animals; led to large-scale modifications of the landscape across several states; sparked new thinking about the human relationship to the natural world; and demanded a reckoning with disability and death on an ecological scale. And as the guns fell silent, the change continued; Browning and Silver show how the war influenced the future of weather forecasting, veterinary medicine, the birth of the conservation movement, and the establishment of the first national parks.
In considering human efforts to find military and political advantage by reshaping the natural world, Browning and Silver show not only that the environment influenced the Civil War's outcome but also that the war was a watershed event in the history of the environment itself.
In considering human efforts to find military and political advantage by reshaping the natural world, Browning and Silver show not only that the environment influenced the Civil War's outcome but also that the war was a watershed event in the history of the environment itself.
266 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 20, 2020
17 people are currently reading
198 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
August 6, 2020
Write more history like this! This book puts the Civil War in the context of the environment, including chapters on weather, disease, livestock, and the ecological disasters that were the post-battle landscapes. A fascinating look at how history is lived: the interaction of real people in a specific time and place. Place is what often gets overlooked; we are so far removed from nature now that we forget most of human history has been a struggle against nature.
It is one thing to understand the horrors of war from a description of military casualties, but it is quite a different and fuller understanding that grows when you consider the implications of that: what happens to the ecology and biology of an environment when living men become corpses? What does it mean for the south that by the end of the war, the Union fields more horses than the South can field men? What happens to agricultural landscapes when those men don't come home at all? Grim topics, but ones that shed light on post-war attitudes and trends. More Americans need to read their history in this interconnected, contextualized way, rather than imposing 21st century views on a 19th century conflict.
It is one thing to understand the horrors of war from a description of military casualties, but it is quite a different and fuller understanding that grows when you consider the implications of that: what happens to the ecology and biology of an environment when living men become corpses? What does it mean for the south that by the end of the war, the Union fields more horses than the South can field men? What happens to agricultural landscapes when those men don't come home at all? Grim topics, but ones that shed light on post-war attitudes and trends. More Americans need to read their history in this interconnected, contextualized way, rather than imposing 21st century views on a 19th century conflict.
January 27, 2023
I thought this bought was very good. As someone who loves to learn about this Civil War I found this a very unique take on the Civil War. It was quite refreshing to learn about parts of the Civil War that are under-talked about but also very important.
March 29, 2021
I am absolutely floored by this book. Browning & Silver wrote an impressive volume that encompasses two main arguments: the Civil War was deeply impacted by environmental factors, and the war itself became a "biological event" that shaped America's environment. The book is organized chronologically, but each chapter focuses on a specific environmental aspect of the war. These aspects include sickness, weather, food, animals, death & disability, and terrain.
Browning & Silver make the writing incredibly rich through intermixing descriptions of scientific research with personal accounts of soldiers. Their writing especially transforms discussions of military strategy and battles. As someone without a background in science or environmental studies, I found the book remarkably accessible and engaging. Additionally, the book's focus on living things––humans, animals, and nature––creates a more intimate look at the Civil War than most historical books I've read. The harrowing and often gory descriptions of sickness, death, and burial causes the reader to reckon with warfare in all of its horror and complexity. The chapters on sickness and death are especially valuable in that regard. In short, An Environmental History of the Civil War completely altered how I view the conflict. I would recommend this book to everyone (plus, at 200 pages, it is very short and sweet).
Browning & Silver make the writing incredibly rich through intermixing descriptions of scientific research with personal accounts of soldiers. Their writing especially transforms discussions of military strategy and battles. As someone without a background in science or environmental studies, I found the book remarkably accessible and engaging. Additionally, the book's focus on living things––humans, animals, and nature––creates a more intimate look at the Civil War than most historical books I've read. The harrowing and often gory descriptions of sickness, death, and burial causes the reader to reckon with warfare in all of its horror and complexity. The chapters on sickness and death are especially valuable in that regard. In short, An Environmental History of the Civil War completely altered how I view the conflict. I would recommend this book to everyone (plus, at 200 pages, it is very short and sweet).
December 11, 2023
the chapters in this book are incredibly long, but the content was super interesting
June 3, 2022
This succinct book examines how the environment impacted and was impacted by the Civil War. Whether that be the weather, the usage of animals, or the persistence of disease, this book does an excellent job explaining the "hard" science with the humanities. A worthwhile read for anyone interested in the Civil War.
February 25, 2023
At one point in Tolstoy's 'War and Peace' he argues for interpreting history by making use of integral calculus. I believe he was being ironic. The point was that you needed to break history down into it's smallest parts and follow it's flow. Of course, one can't do that - even today with supercomputers. There are simply too many variables. Further, we have not even identified what those variables are.
This book captures a part of the Civil War that has been overlooked. Take for instance the impact of the war on horses. Horses faired worse than humans - and the numbers in terms of death are unimaginable. At the time of the conflict there was no school for veterinary medicine in the North or the South. Some of us may be slightly aware of the public health disaster which was the Civil War. Suddenly, masses of men gathered in sites that rivaled populations of cities - these sites were not prepared to handle the human waste problem, the need for water, or the need for food - not just for the human population but the animals which were part of the war machine. Forests were destroyed and with their destruction came terrifying impacts on the surrounding countryside.
I have loved visiting Gettysburg - because it has recovered and provides beautiful pastoral vistas. But, these vistas are a lie. That is Gettysburg after the battle did not look like the Gettysburg we visit today.
The writers indicate that this will not be the last environmental history of the Civil War - that there is much more research and stories to tell.
This particular book will serve well future professional and amateur Civil War fiction writers. But then again, "Tomorrow is another day."
This book captures a part of the Civil War that has been overlooked. Take for instance the impact of the war on horses. Horses faired worse than humans - and the numbers in terms of death are unimaginable. At the time of the conflict there was no school for veterinary medicine in the North or the South. Some of us may be slightly aware of the public health disaster which was the Civil War. Suddenly, masses of men gathered in sites that rivaled populations of cities - these sites were not prepared to handle the human waste problem, the need for water, or the need for food - not just for the human population but the animals which were part of the war machine. Forests were destroyed and with their destruction came terrifying impacts on the surrounding countryside.
I have loved visiting Gettysburg - because it has recovered and provides beautiful pastoral vistas. But, these vistas are a lie. That is Gettysburg after the battle did not look like the Gettysburg we visit today.
The writers indicate that this will not be the last environmental history of the Civil War - that there is much more research and stories to tell.
This particular book will serve well future professional and amateur Civil War fiction writers. But then again, "Tomorrow is another day."
March 28, 2024
My high interest level in this book surprised me. Yes, I bought it from Audible, so, I had to have some interest in it when I bought it. But it lounged in my library unattended for years. Today was the day I picked to either read it or move it to some harmless sorting option where I'd never have to see it again and feel guilty about spending a credit on something I never opened.
To my credit and real pleasure, I read it through today and loved it. If you're expecting a dry academic doorstopper, please fling that expectation away and enjoy this.
The book looks at the environmental factors that played a part in the Civil War and its outcome. The chapter on death and disability was horrific and fascinating. Those today who ramble on about the inevitability of a Civil War 2.0 need to read this first and study the starvation and depravity that were major issues in the war. These authors write well, and they do an outstanding job of describing everything from the impact of war on the natural environment to the horrors of starvation and illness. They point out that disease killed far more than did the mini ball.
If you've floundered in the land of indecisiveness regarding this book, do yourself a favor and read it. The facts the authors provide are at once fascinating and sobering.
I thought the Audible narrator did the book a disservice, but if you crank him to 2.6X, you'll be fine.
To my credit and real pleasure, I read it through today and loved it. If you're expecting a dry academic doorstopper, please fling that expectation away and enjoy this.
The book looks at the environmental factors that played a part in the Civil War and its outcome. The chapter on death and disability was horrific and fascinating. Those today who ramble on about the inevitability of a Civil War 2.0 need to read this first and study the starvation and depravity that were major issues in the war. These authors write well, and they do an outstanding job of describing everything from the impact of war on the natural environment to the horrors of starvation and illness. They point out that disease killed far more than did the mini ball.
If you've floundered in the land of indecisiveness regarding this book, do yourself a favor and read it. The facts the authors provide are at once fascinating and sobering.
I thought the Audible narrator did the book a disservice, but if you crank him to 2.6X, you'll be fine.
September 23, 2020
This is book is equal parts sad and astonishing. The tremendous losses of the Civil War were not only on the battlefield--more than 600,000 people died of causes including disease, dehydration, exposure, and starvation, in addition to combat. Animals also died in massive numbers, and the poor sanitation, lack of proper burial, and economic disruption of the war changed the nation's ecology permanently.
The reason I cannot rate this book higher is because the authors squander their opportunity to truly condemn the war and the sentiments that both caused and continued it. The CSA's accomplishments, such as they were, are noted in a way that will please the Lost Cause liars. And even the horrifying moments describing the putrid disease in segregated districts or the murder of black soldiers are quickly shifted to the ecological and geographic features that enabled these particular horrors. There's even a chapter that laments how, once the slaves were freed, they stopped digging ditches for free and soil erosion became a big problem. It feels odd to approach this tragic war in a detached manner, and in 2020, a book that truly hit back at the lies that have been spawned since Reconstruction would have been a welcome addition to the history bookshelf.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.
The reason I cannot rate this book higher is because the authors squander their opportunity to truly condemn the war and the sentiments that both caused and continued it. The CSA's accomplishments, such as they were, are noted in a way that will please the Lost Cause liars. And even the horrifying moments describing the putrid disease in segregated districts or the murder of black soldiers are quickly shifted to the ecological and geographic features that enabled these particular horrors. There's even a chapter that laments how, once the slaves were freed, they stopped digging ditches for free and soil erosion became a big problem. It feels odd to approach this tragic war in a detached manner, and in 2020, a book that truly hit back at the lies that have been spawned since Reconstruction would have been a welcome addition to the history bookshelf.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.
June 14, 2021
I don't usually read books about the Civil War, but the title of this on the new books shelf at the public library was intriguing. (I am still getting used to being able to visit the public library branch again in person to peruse actual books.)
The two co-authors looked at several different aspects of the influence of the environment on the events of the Civil War: sickness, weather, food, animals, death and disability, and terrain. The text of the book is only 200 pages so unlike many books on the Civil War I was able to get through this relatively quickly. While there is discussion of specific battles the focus is on connecting environmental factors with the outcomes of the battles and later in the book on how the War influenced different aspects of the environment in turn.
The two co-authors looked at several different aspects of the influence of the environment on the events of the Civil War: sickness, weather, food, animals, death and disability, and terrain. The text of the book is only 200 pages so unlike many books on the Civil War I was able to get through this relatively quickly. While there is discussion of specific battles the focus is on connecting environmental factors with the outcomes of the battles and later in the book on how the War influenced different aspects of the environment in turn.
September 12, 2023
This review is for the audio version, which has an excellent narrator. I listened to the whole book; I have also purchased the ebook version to read and notate...
Few books on the Civil War cover the same topics as this one. Disease, weather, scarcity of supplies, terrain--all these things contributed to the casualties on both sides.
I found the information compelling, hence my desire to own the ebook for future reference. The audio version rotates out of the Audible Plus program September 12, 2023.
Few books on the Civil War cover the same topics as this one. Disease, weather, scarcity of supplies, terrain--all these things contributed to the casualties on both sides.
I found the information compelling, hence my desire to own the ebook for future reference. The audio version rotates out of the Audible Plus program September 12, 2023.
August 17, 2020
Excellent overview on the interaction of man and nature during the Civil War. Shows how this interaction affected the outcomes of battles, campaigns, decisions, and the war. Chapters are both topical and chronological, centered on a particular event to illustrate the importance of that subject. Ties together over a decade of scholarship over the last decade into one account. Highly recommend to those interested in military history, the American Civil War, or environmental history.
March 26, 2021
This book is a very concise and interesting read covering a variety of topics which affected how the Civil War was fought. I read it for a college Civil War class, and it really helped to give more background and insight into the conditions that soldiers faced everyday. As opposed to a regular textbook or military history, this book looks into and applies fields like weather, disease, and home front sanitation.
July 28, 2020
I've read a little on the American Civil War, but most of it focused on either military strategy or the experience of war. This is the first history I've read focused on the environmental impact of this monumental event. The work that went into completing this book is incredible. I recommend it for any historian interested in environmental, medical, military, or American history.
Read
September 24, 2021I’m so glad I decided to assign this to my students. This is the Civil War book I would recommend to environmental historians, the environmental book I’d recommend to Civil Was historians, and a fascinating book I’d recommend to anyone else.
February 25, 2025
The subject is interesting but overall it feels like the author is just retelling the history of the Civil War albeit with more of an eye for the terrain and other biological factors. We are far from the modern standards of environmental history unfortunately
February 1, 2024
This was beautiful written and super informative. I've never really been interested in the Civil War, but this book definitely has opened my eyes and I learned a lot along the way.
June 14, 2024
Josh recommended I read this. While I’m no history buff, the natural history surrounding the Civil War was fascinating!
January 11, 2025
Read for comps
did-not-finish
November 2, 2025dnf @60%. only like 4 chapters were assigned for school, i'm not gonna finish the rest on my own time. this was good though
December 23, 2020
In An Environmental History of the Civil War Judkin Browning and Timothy Snyder investigate the effects of the environment and the land on the soldiers - as well as its effects on them. Chapters cover disease, weather, food, animals, death and disability, and terrain. The size of the armies were capable of changing their environment just by grouping together - sometimes by providing new hosts for viruses and bacterial infections and sometimes by polluting water, hacking out roads, and leaving battlefields piled with the dead. Interested readers should be aware that the authors continually note that more data is available from the North, which they extrapolate to the South. Also, the first chapter and epilogue deal with disease and contain the most examples. I personally would have liked more natural history information (plants and animals) but this still gave an interesting view of the Civil War.
November 18, 2020
Great Book
One of the most interesting books I've read in 60+ years of reading about the Civil War. I've been at many of the locations mentioned in the book, where family members fought. I especially appreciated the authors description of how much different the Wilderness environment is today from the environment my great-grandfathers experienced in 1863 and 1864. The book in general describes the world they left to enter the army in 1861 and carefully describes the environmental conditions in which they functioned for 4 years. One of my great-grandfathers was an artilleryman, and I very much enjoyed the chapter on animals which gave me a better understanding of his life among the battery horses, who were so essential and who suffered so much.
One of the most interesting books I've read in 60+ years of reading about the Civil War. I've been at many of the locations mentioned in the book, where family members fought. I especially appreciated the authors description of how much different the Wilderness environment is today from the environment my great-grandfathers experienced in 1863 and 1864. The book in general describes the world they left to enter the army in 1861 and carefully describes the environmental conditions in which they functioned for 4 years. One of my great-grandfathers was an artilleryman, and I very much enjoyed the chapter on animals which gave me a better understanding of his life among the battery horses, who were so essential and who suffered so much.
December 12, 2019
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. This belongs in the library of any serious student of the Civil War. It is written in an engaging style that does not get bogged down in minutiae and superfluous detail. Few realize how much environmental factors influenced the actions and outcomes of the war. The authors point out many factors that would not be normally considered including animal availability, sickness, weather, and sustenance. Students of the war often wonder why commanders did what they did (or didn't) but now the obvious is explained and put into context to the whole conflict. A great read.
January 14, 2022
What a different perspective of Civil War study! Fascinating book that made me think of things I'd never considered previously in my CW studies. I loved how the authors broke down the chapters based on chronological and topical subject material. Further, the use of battle-specific or region- specific factors helped me understand each environmental concept they were exploring at the time. Highly recommend!
September 28, 2023
I absolutely LOVED this book. Browning and Silver managed to cover new ground in ACW scholarship while keeping the book brief and on point. Their scholarship of the civil war and climatology opened new doors to my understanding of the war.
I hope to see more focused histories like this in the future. This was an excellent read and the most useful resource on the environmental impact of the civil war to date. After I returned it to the library I had to get a copy for myself.
I hope to see more focused histories like this in the future. This was an excellent read and the most useful resource on the environmental impact of the civil war to date. After I returned it to the library I had to get a copy for myself.
January 8, 2020
Good for those who have an interest in the civil war. A look at the natural world and what the peoples impact as well.
January 14, 2020
Review to follow.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews