A superbly readable military history by a novelist who did a massive amount of historical research. May 06, 2016 10 nonfiction books about the civil war that will fascinate any history buff. Dec 27, 2010 trying to name the top dozen civil war books of all time is, admittedly, a brazen act on my part. The best books on the spanish civil war five books. Trying to name the top dozen civil war books of all time is. The best civil war books of all time analysis civil war. The best historians and books according to james mcpherson.
New listing history of kearnys first new jersey brigade camille baquet 2nd lt. It came out after he had died but the book was dedicated to him. The best singlevolume survey of the political events that led to secession and war. The civil war a narrative by shelby foote, excellent condition, complete 9 volu. While most books about the civil war are historical retrospectives written by historians many years after the fact, a diary from dixie was actually written during the course of the war. Trying to name the top dozen civil war books of all time is, admittedly, a brazen act on my part.
This page details the ebooks that are currently available for free to our viewers. Civil war books the 150th anniversary of the civil war. Their thoughtful responses, some of which are quoted herein, resulted in a long list of worthy, mustread books and a clear consensus on the 10 best, which are listed on the following pages in chronological order. My top 5 books on the civil war christianity today. The civil war novel is a cottage industry unto itself.
Any recommended reading list therefore has to be highly selective and at least somewhat arbitrary. In fact, according to the library of congress civil war desk reference, over 70,000 books have been published on various aspects of the civil war and more are being published every day. Best books about the civil war civil war saga a history. Choose the illustrated history of epic battles, or a hallowed location. Jan 09, 2018 and to top it all off, this edition has an introduction written by the late christopher hitchens. Sep 05, 2009 head on over to the history enthusiast for an excellent followup to this post. I still assign this to graduate students as an example of historical writing at its best and for its deployment of the concept of irony to the sectional conflict. It follows henry fleming, a young man eager to show his courage on the civil war battlefield. Far more books have been written about the civil war than about any other event in american history, and lincolns stack of books towers over that of any other american figure. We wanted to include a variety of volumes to appeal to many different tastes. Jun 22, 2017 theres definitely no shortage of books about the american civil war. Thousands of civil war books have been written since the first shot. A life from beginning to end biographies of women in history book 2.
It has been presented since 1917 for a distinguished book about the history of the united states. The ten best history books of 2019 history smithsonian. There are an extraordinary number of books covering all aspects of the war from large overviews like james mcphersons battle cry freedom, gary gallaghers books on the union war and the confederate war, allan nevins 8 volume set on the conflict, and shelby footes three volume set of books on the war. Matthew gallman is a professor of history at the university of florida. In some cases, ive read these books more than once.
This is one of the best singlevolume histories ever written about the civil war and might be one of the best singlevolume histories on any topic of so large a scale. Sep 14, 2010 living history demonstrations here offer a tangible taste of civil war camp life and are capped each year by a large event on the anniversary of the battle. But within the mystery and thriller genres, the war between the states has received fairly scant treatment. The history books will tell you that the american civil war began at fort sumter, when the confederates first attacked.
Eric wittenbergs latest post includes a list of the 50 greatest civil war. A narrative by shelby foote as exhaustive a rendering of the military history of the civil war as any ever attempted, footes 2,968page, 1. The civil war is cemented in history as the deadliest war fought on american soil. Five greatest books about the civil war nonfiction history. So herberts book on guernica is one that i would always include in the five most important books on the spanish civil war in any language. Books about united states history civil war, 18611865 fiction sorted by popularity project gutenberg. Project gutenberg offers 61,672 free ebooks for kindle, ipad, nook, android, and iphone. An incredible story, as well as excellent historical detailing and insight into the eastern theatre of the war in virginia. Jun 23, 2019 the civil war was the bloodiest conflict in american history, turning brother against brother and devastating large regions of the country. The best civil war books of all time analysis civil war monitor. The best civil war books of all time analysis civil. Nevertheless, the books on this list are, indeed, my alltime favorites cherished works that have informed and inspired me, sometimes leaving me awestruck. Jun 29, 2016 the problem is that most american history books focus on just a few topics, such as the american revolution and the civil war, while ignoring other topics that also helped shaped american culture. A list of notable books about the american civil war.
This wiki has been updated 19 times since it was first published in august of 2015. Ive compiled a list of books on american history that i feel are mustreads for every history lover. Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers. We polled a panel of contributors to military history for their choices of the top 10 war books of all time. If, like me, you received a necktie with reindeer on it from santa instead of a good civil war book under the christmas tree, then you might try selecting one for yourself from my own list of the top 12 civil war books, which i offer here in the spirit of the season and, even more appropriately, as the 150th anniversary of the war is about to begin. For the general public, battle cry and its author have become synonymous with civil war history.
Six books on the civil war these six histories of the civil war that are mustreads if you want to better understand the conflict a group of officers in culpeper, virginia reading. Douglas southall freeman perfect condition no reserve. Our top 8 favorite american civil war sites to visit today. In 1998, tony horwitzs confederates in the attic changed the way we talk about the civil war and the american south by making the point that for many.
Top 12 civil war books ever written realclearhistory. Best books about the civil war a history blog about the. Jul 03, 2009 top 10 civil war books on the campaign and battle of gettysburg. Oct 19, 2007 despite the increased outflow of civil war social history over the last 20 years, mohrs book remains the model for interpreting the homefront experiences of civil war southerners, black and white. This in mind, as far and away the best known overview of the civil war for nearly 30 years, mcphersons pulitzerwinning book has been used in untold classrooms to introduce americans to their national bloodletting. United states history civil war, 18611865 include extended shelves you can also browse an alphabetical list from this subject or from.
His most recent book, defining duty in the civil war. Bruce cattons centennial history of the civil war three volumes, and shelby. The civil war books series honors the 150th anniversary of the war between the states. The pulitzer prize for history, administered by columbia university, is one of the seven american pulitzer prizes that are annually awarded for letters, drama, and music. The civil war in the united states began in 1861, after decades of simmering tensions between northern and southern states over slavery, states rights and westward expansion. The best history books five books expert recommendations. The civil war is the most written about event in united states history. Kristen suggests that the list reflects the state of the field today and how students of the civil war are still in many ways an old boys club. This book originally appeared in serialized form but was then edited for release as a novel. The historical archive from time to time produces free ebooks on specific subjects for you to enjoy. Civil war confederate, lees lieutenants 3 vol illustrated maps book set. From james mcphersons definitive history to tony horwitzs adventures among obsessives, here are the 11 best books on the civil war in time for the.
Ten years ago, cwes published its list of top two hundred civil war books. No wonder, then, that the war has been the subject of so many dramatic films and documentaries. Another single volume history of the civil war, this volume captures the drama. Nov 22, 2019 the ten best history books of 2019 our favorite titles of the year resurrect forgotten histories and help explain how we got to where we are today.
I wrote a book about war correspondents during the civil war which i wrote for herbert. The struggle for power, and the role of the legions, made great chunks of its history more or less a civil war. The killer angels by michael shaara, the last full measure by jeff shaara, mrs. Dec 26, 20 for a one volume history of the war you cant top mcpherson but for a more comprhensive history of events leading up to the war and during the war itself id recommend the 8 volume ordeal of the union by allan nevins. Ive read all here except the republic of suffering i enjoyed the differing perspectives between foote, cotton, and mcphereson as they covered the same ground. Get cozy and expand your home library with a large online selection of books at. Dec 04, 2016 10 best books for american history buffs december 4, 2016 december 30, 2016 mike rogers 3 comments america, books, top tens american history remains one of the most popular genres of history, which is why we see dozens of books published each year on the subject. Oct 22, 2014 top 10s classics the top 10 civil war novels. Browse our selection of books on civil war history, and learn about the heroes who fought and died to preserve the american union. Covering one of the most important periods in american history, these civil war books run the gamut from academic tomes to exciting narratives and insightful firsthand accounts. Not really a civil war book, but crucial to understanding all other civil war books. Listed are some of the most important history books ever written, as recommended by some of the most eminent historians working today.
Like any good war history book, the civil war books on this list take a deep dive not only into the untold horrors of warfare, but also the perspectives, personalities, and motivations behind it, as well as the ramifications. In the interview, mcpherson stated who he believes are americas top historians, the best book on the civil war, military history, african american history, the book most responsible for shaping his career, and even the most overrated history book ever. Despite gettysburg campaign studies in recent years from stephen sears and noah andre trudeau, i still think the very best look at the gettysburg campaign is edwin b. The top 10 civil war novels from roman legions to medieval mayhem, cavaliers and roundheads to the crushing of ideals in the 20th century, there is fertile ground for drama in civil war. Now, the union fort is located within charleston, south carolina, a great u. The 12 most essential civil war books americas military. From james mcpherson s definitive history to tony horwitzs adventures among obsessives, here are the 11 best books on the civil war in time for the 150th anniversary. It includes comprehensive timelines and intimate firstperson accounts from soldiers and civilians, as well as key political and military leaders. Nevertheless, the books on this list are, indeed, my alltime favorites cherished works that. Discover the best american civil war history in best sellers. Battle cry of freedom told me more about the civil war in the introduction than i learned from any other book. From james mcphersons definitive history to tony horwitzs adventures among obsessives, here are the 11 best books on the civil war in time.
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