The American Civil War discussion

I've just started off Southern Storm on Sherman's march to the sea. Not bad at all so far, but I'm just 50 pages into it.

Southern Storm was decent enough, if not enthralling. Sherman was determined to spread out the Southern defences by threatening multilple targets and the South responded, so there are no major battles to talk about.

Currently reading Shenandoah 1862 by Peter Cozzens, who I think is one of the best Civil War authors currently writing.

Let me know how Cozzens' Shenandoah is, it's on my to-read list. Been meaning to diversify my reading as it's largely leaned from the Union perspective.

I really enjoyed it and did a review as well you can look at if you like. Cozzen's takes a very objective approach that is as critical of Jackson as he is of the various Union leaders involved. give it a shot.

just picked up Cavalryman of the Lost Cause, a biography of J.E.B. Stuart that looks interesting.

I'm currently reading a book called "My Dear Parents". It's about an Englishman who came to America and joined up to fight for the Union. I have just started it and it mainly consists of letters and quotes from his diary. It starts off with a brief history about the man and his family. Will keep you appraised as I read further.

Hello everyone,

I am so glad that I found this group. I am almost finished with Landscape Turned Red. I love it; Stephen Sears is a wonderful author. I wish that I had read the book before I visited Antietam, but I guess I will just have to go back. :)

welcome. well, both learning and appreciation are an on-going process, so going back isn't such a bad thing.

George wrote: "welcome. well, both learning and appreciation are an on-going process, so going back isn't such a bad thing. "

Thank you. You are absolutely right! How is the Stuart biography going?

It's a very decent book. I'm only about 200 pages or so into it. Stuart is such an iconic figure for so many, and appears to done his damndest to personify the Southern hero. I'm quite familier with his faults in the Gettysburg campaign, but the book goes into a fair amount of detail criticizing his actions in and around Antietam.

Sounds interesting. I think I may have to add it to my to-read list. Stuart is one of those Civil War figures that is so intriguing because when he performed well, he was an incredible asset. On the other hand, his mistakes are well-known to history. Thank you for the information.

You're welcome.

Just finished "My Dear Parents". It was a fairly good book. The soldier, James Horrock, was quite full of himself. He kept saying how he was due a promotion and if how he would desert if he never received one. However he stayed in the army til
August of 1865. His letter give a nice look into daily life in an artillery unit. It's a different look into that era. I would recommend it.

Hi all, just joined this group, so thought I'd make a brief hello and comment on the first (and so far, only) book on the civil war I've read. I just finished David Herbert Donald's book LINCOLN. Since I haven't read other Lincoln bios, I'm unable to compare it's merits with all that's been written on him. But, that said, I found it very readable for someone like me (not being an academic, more of a common reader). It actually motivated me to watch Ken Burn's CIVIL WAR, which I'm about half-way through. Now I'm hooked on this time period and event in American history. I'm actually at my public library posting this, and am about the head to the shelves where the War books are. I'm very open to any suggestions for a beginner to this time in American history. AND, glad to have found this book club.

Thanks, Michael

Well, if you're fond of Ken Burn's series, Shelby Foote, the Southern historian he relied on so much in the series has a very nice triology on the Civil War. You'd have to be ready to devote a fair amount of time to it, but it's a good read.

A very nice overview of the Civil War is, of course, James McPherson's Battle Cry of Freedom.

I have just started Rebel Private: Front and Rear. And I have This Republic of Suffering to read next. However, what I am really looking for is some suggestions on Gettysburg.

Thanks George and Karen for the suggestions.

George, I really liked Shelby Foote's commentary, so I'll check out his triology.

Karen, I've heard McPherson's name in the bibliographies of some other books I glanced at, so I'll look for his work also.

Thanks, Michael

I agree, Battle Cry of Freedom is a good overview book.

Once you get a good handle on the facts, I recommend Michael Shaara's "The Killer Angels" for some fun historical fiction reading on the Civil War. It is about the battle of Gettysburg (which the movie Gettysburg was based off).

Just finished reading McClellan's War: the Failure of Moderation in the Struggle for the Union by Ethan Rafuse. Ethan has come to praise McClellan and not to bury him, a fact alone that makes the book an interesting effort. He tries very hard to put McClellan into the context of his times and present him as a man of reason, as opposed to the more emotional, and therefore irrational, radical Republicans. The intent was to convince the Confederacy that resistance was futile and that they should return to the fold and therefore the Union should not exacerbate feelings in the South by too much bloodshed and mistreatment of civilians. there was there are a number of serious problems in the presentation, in my opinion. not least of which was that determining the ultimate goals of the war effort were not really his to determine. Also, the author entirely fails to make any case that McClellan's goals would have received any acceptance in the South. The author seems overly taken by McClellan's performance in the Peninsula Campaign and appears to consider his siege of Yorktown as a master stroke. However, in doing so, he neglects to mention how few Confederate soldiers were actually occupying Yorktown at the time or to mention that many of the cannon on the ramparts were in fact painted logs. In spite of its failings though, the book is still worth reading.

I'm new to the group, so hello to everyone! I'm currently reading The Black Flower A Novel of the Civil War by Howard Bahr. I think it's excellent so far--it's well-researched and suspenseful.

Jess wrote: "I'm currently reading The Black Flower A Novel of the Civil War by Howard Bahr. I think it's excellent so far--it's well-researched..."

Thanks for the suggestion. I haven't yet read any Civil War novels, and hadn't heard of this one. I'll check it out.

Michael

You're welcome! I'm enjoying it thus far. You'll have to let me know what you think of it.

A little earlier this year I read "Southern Storm" about Sherman's March.

Currently, I'm working my way through Stephen Sears' excellent works: Gates of Richmond, Landscape Turned Red, Chancelorsville, & Gettysburg.

Having just visited Gettysburg in May, I picked up the Gettysburg book first. It gets the highest praise from me and led to me to see what else he had written.

I have a copy of "Southern Storm" sitting in my library to be read, what did you think of it? I love Stephen Sears' books, his "Gates of Richmond" was one of the best books I had ever read on the Civil War.

Lots of good information in Southern Storm, not much excitement. it's worth reading, but won't keep you up at night turning pages.

Eric wrote: "I have just started Rebel Private: Front and Rear. And I have This Republic of Suffering to read next. However, what I am really looking for is some suggestions on Gettysburg."

Hello Eric: If you're looking for a great book that actually deals with the aftermath of the Gettysburg Battle, pick-up " A Strange and Blighted Land, Gettysburg: after the Battle" By Gregory A. Coco. It's an amazing read. It's descriptions are so vivid that it puts you in Gettysburg after the battle. It maybe hard to find...Good reading.......Mac

Hello Everyone, I'm new to the group, but have been interested in the Civil war for many years. I have a good size library on the war. So hello everyone and Happy 4th of July!

Hello, I, too, am new to the group. Just found it when I posted a review of John Ransoms's Andersonville Diary which I read several years ago.

I am currently reading Sears' Chancellorsville and a couple of books on the conspirators of the assassination and Sam Watkins book, Company Aitch, which was featured prominently in the Ken Burns documentary.

I usually go visit Antietam and sometimes other battlefields when I go visit my brother in Maryland. My sister-in-law has lately also become interested in the Civil War so I provide some relief to him in her talking about the Civil War.

I'm currently reading "One Continous Fight" by Wittenberg and others, on the Confederate retreat out of Gettysburg. The authors make a very good point that the retreat has always gotten short shrift and that it deserves as much study as many more famous battles. pretty decent so far with lots of individual stories.

I'm currently reading "Reelecting Lincoln: The Battle for the 1864 Election". It's going into the decisions Lincoln had to make and consider doing in order to become president for a second term. And it tells about all those who didn't want him. From Democrats, Radicals-who wanted the South to feel the total wrath of the North, Abolistionist-who felt he wasn't doing enough to end slavery, to those in his own party who thought someone else could do better and do it quicker.

half way through Catton's Mr. Lincoln's Army - Catton describes army's movement effectively.

George wrote: "Just finished reading McClellan's War: the Failure of Moderation in the Struggle for the Union by Ethan Rafuse. Ethan has come to praise McClellan and not to bury him, a fact alone that makes the b..."

I think I need to read something that presents McClellan differently. Whenever I encounter him, I automatically position him against Lincoln - that, I think, may be unfair to McClellan.

Peter wrote: "George wrote: "Just finished reading McClellan's War: the Failure of Moderation in the Struggle for the Union by Ethan Rafuse. Ethan has come to praise McClellan and not to bury him, a fact alone t..."

To get a better understanding of how McClellan viewed Lincoln, read his own words in the book: Sears, Stephen, George B. McClellan, The Young Napoleon (©1988). Sears did an outstanding job of compiling letters, correspondence, and orders all in time order to show you how these two historic giants interested. After that you will wonder why Lincoln didn't fire him sooner.

He would have if he could have found anyone better, but that didn't happen until Meade came along.

I'm currently reading Mr. Lincoln's Army The Army of the Potomac Vol. 1 by Bruce Catton. I've been wanting to read volume 3 of this set A Stillness at Appomattox which won the Pulitzer Prize for History and the National Book Award for nonfiction in 1954 but want to read volume 1 & 2 first.

Just finished reading War Like the Thunderbolt, the Battle and Burning of Atlanta. I highly recommend it, whether you are a serious Civil War student or just generlly interested. Lots of fun to read, unlike the recent Southern Storm on Sherman's March, and very informative as well, if not quite up to Southern Storm's standard. I particularly like the emphasis on the city itself, including the post war period up to Sherman's visit many years after the war's end.

I have just purchased a copy of "War Like The Thunderbolt" and from a quick flick though the book it looks like it will be a damn fine read. I am currently reading Donald Frazier's "Fire in the Cane Field" which is the first volume of 4 books covering the fighting in Louisiana and Texas. This book covers the period January 1861 to January 1863. So far its been a very easy book to read although a few typo's have spoilt my enjoyment.

Manhunt CD: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer (Audio CD)
by James L. Swanson, Richard Thomas (Narrator)
1/2 way through. Best account of the murder of Lincoln that I've found so far but have not read much on the subject. Suggestions welcome.

James wrote: "To get a better understanding of how McClellan viewed Lincoln, read his own words in the book: Sears, Stephen, George B. McClellan, The Young Napoleon (©1988). Sears did an outstanding job of compiling letters, correspondence, and orders all in time order to show you how these two historic giants interested. After that you will wonder why Lincoln didn't fire him sooner. "

I'll add to my reading list. Do you think the general portrayal of McClellan in Civil War studies is accurate, then?

McClellan was ultra cautious. His idea of winning was with overpowering strength placing some emphasis on strategy. He was easily fooled and Lee, in particular knew it.

I just finished the book Bonfire. it is about Sherman's taking then occupying Atlanta. It is well worth reading and really lays out how Sherman came to the idea for the March to the Sea campaign. In this book it is easy to see why he is still hated in the memory of the south and his military genius comes through loud and clear.

James wrote: "McClellan was ultra cautious. His idea of winning was with overpowering strength placing some emphasis on strategy. He was easily fooled and Lee, in particular knew it. "

Just picked up George B. McClellan, The Young Napolean from my library this morning.

I just finished Ronald White's A. Lincoln A Biography

Here's the review I submitted.

With this year being the 200th Anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth, numerous scholars have come out with new material focusing on our most revered President. Ronald White's contribution to this anniversary is a one volume biography, and in my mind, it has to be the best this year. Lincoln is without question a fascinating study, and White's biography of him is one of my personal favorites.

With White's background, a combination of historical and theological study, he emerges to me as one a few historians who is uniquely gifted to be able to accurately convey an intellectual examination of our 16th President. Lincoln was so uniquely talented as a western-minded conversationalist, a gifted stump speaker, and one of our nation's greatest writers because he had a deep passion for studying life through literature. Lincoln loved to read the Bible, Shakespeare, classical literature, and history to better understand his surroundings. White explains that Lincoln used that understanding to feed his ambition to make a real and positive difference in the troubled world he saw around him.

This book chronicles Abraham Lincoln's family life, relationships, and politics, but brings to the forefront his intellectual growth, which I find the most fascinating. In particular, I enjoyed White's examination of all of Lincoln's major letters, speeches, and addresses and how they are related not only to the events of the time, but also to each other. Again, all of the major events in Lincoln's life are covered, with the exception of leaving out extensive details which would make this already hefty 800+ page volume even larger. But what White did for me in this biography is to put Lincoln's whole life into a big picture. His family life, relationships, and intellectual study are woven together neatly so that one gets to understand the man and his passions, all in one place. This biography was exceptionally well done, and highly recommended to anyone interested in our 16th President, especially those who choose to learn about him for the very first time.

I have picked that one up based on your review. Thanks... i have a couple others to finish first however.

James wrote: "I have picked that one up based on your review. Thanks... i have a couple others to finish first however. "

I'm sure you'll enjoy it as much as I did.
If you can find the time, please join us at the History Book Club. We will be starting White's A. Lincoln on November 1st.

Joe....
i took a quick look at the HBC your participating in ... and really like that idea.. i would be delighted to participate... I will finish the one i am on now (Vicksburg 1863) and be ready to start Lincoln as the HBC has set out to do Nov. 1st....
what do i do next to connect to this group???
thanks

I just replied to your introduction over at the HBC, and thank-you for deciding to join us. I am passionate about learning about Lincoln, and need more people like yourself to join in the discussion. Just come on over and participate.

How is Vicksburg 1863? I have yet to get my hands on it, but plan to.

Joe...
For Vicksburg..I am only 75 pages into it... and it is still introductory material but that is going OK. It appears to be written for more of the newer readers to the Civil War but I will let you know how I liked it when I finish. I actually have a distant ancestor who partnered with Lincoln for one case that they defended. He then moved from Illinois to Kansas and invited Lincoln to come and give a few speeches in December 1859, and Lincoln took him up on it. I need to write that up some day and perhaps the Lincoln book will motive me to do so.

It seems to have slowed down over here in the Civil War section. I just started William Woods Hassler's book "A. P. Hill: Lee's Forgotten General" which was first published in 1957. I am only 30 odd pages into the book but its an easy to read biography. I have just ordered another book by the same author on Colonel John Pelham.

& by William Woods Hassler