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. What are the best historically accurate books about the. In january 1864, the confederate states is on the verge of losing the civil war against the united states. Head on over to the history enthusiast for an excellent followup to this post. The list caught erics attention because it includes. Southern audiences would no longer, in the words of the editor of the richmondbased southern illustrated news. I am vainly hoping that you may still have the silver volumes for sale and that you live in the uk.
It is also a convincing argument for attention to the wars tangible histories, which are often presented in. America before the civil war, 18481861 1977 potters famous civil war prehistory begins with the end of the mexicanamerican war and the wilmot proviso. Any recommended reading list therefore has to be highly selective and at least somewhat arbitrary. Published by time life the series was simultaneously released in the usa and canada between 1983 and 1987, with subsequent identical reprints in the late 1980s early 1990s following suit for foreign, though untranslated, dissemination as well. The glory, pride, horror, and cowardice that are associated with war are depicted in a classic account of a young soldiers civil war experiences. We polled a panel of contributors to military history for their choices of the top 10 war books of all time. From james mcphersons definitive history to tony horwitzs adventures among obsessives, here are the 11 best books on the civil war in.
Although there are unlimited books available that describe the american civil war in their own way, here are the best available books on this topic that covers all details. Lee at the headquarters of the army of northern virginia. They demonstrate a rifle far superior to all other firearms of the time. Watch full episodes of your favorite history series, and dive into thousands of historical articles and videos. A book plus a stereoscopic viewer, plus 35 3d photos. The civil war book series oclc 20080930 chronicles in great detail the american civil war. 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. Hulbert, james marten, and amy murrell taylorfor their opinions on a variety of popular topics, including the wars. 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. Get cozy and expand your home library with a large online selection of books at. Five greatest books about the civil war nonfiction. Trying to name the top dozen civil war books of all time is, admittedly, a brazen act on my part. Civil war 28 volumes by editors of time life abebooks. Time life the civil war books series set of 27 volumes wmaster.
No one until now has ever published a book exclusively devoted to the stereoscopic photography at antietam. Books about the civil war, including fiction and nonfiction selections. Historian james mcpherson shares some of his favorite civil war tomes. The american civil war bibliography comprises books that deal in large part with the american. Best books to begin reading about the american civil war. Jeff shahara wrote the killer angels, the definitive historical fiction book about chamberlain and the battle of gettysburg, and he and his son have written numerous other good books about the ci. Jeb stuarts controversial ride to gettysburg made the list. The historical archive from time to time produces free ebooks on specific subjects for you to enjoy.
Were in some very elite company, and it is both humbling and flattering to make a list like that. Grant at appomattox courthouse, effectively ending the american civil war. Men with strange accents and oddlymottled clothing approach confederate general robert e. Oligarchy, democracy, and the continuing fight for the soul of america. Some of these books go into great detail about the american civil war, and some these selections include. This war has inspired many authors, young and old, to pen down the actual details and reasons that summed up to turn into a civil war. More than 2,000 entries ranging in length from a few lines to several pages and arranged alphabeticallyfrom abatis and abolition to zollicoffer and zouavecover every important aspect and individual of that momentous conflict. That and the fact that i am curios as to who thinks what are the best books that have been written on the civil war. The life and death of the solider stephenson, michael. The 3d glasses in the book are of the redcyan variety. E ric wittenbergs latest post includes a list of the 50 greatest civil war books compiled by the old baldy cwrt in philadelphia.
These are the bloody best 50 vampire movies of all timeranked. Many of our biblio booksellers offer antique and rare civil war books that would add great value to your book collection. American civil war biographies top ten booklist lee by douglas freeman on april 9, 1865, robert e. The kidnapping of president lincoln and other war detective stories. Choose from used and new textbooks or get instant access with etextbooks and digital materials. Novels of the civil war indian prairie public library. Hi, i know that 6 months have gone by since your post regarding your time life civil war books for sale. Recently, the newsletter of the old baldy civil war roundtable of philadelphia published the results of an update poll as to the 50 greatest books on the civil war of all time, and j. Bruce cattons centennial history of the civil war three volumes, and shelby. Get the best deals on civil war books when you shop the largest. Were featuring a threepart history of wwii as one book because an article about 10 books just sounds so much more neat and tidy. The highest paid athlete of all time was a roman charioteer gaius appuleius diocles. The widow of the south by robert hicks, march by geraldine brooks, the secrets of mary bowser by lois leveen, the. Nevertheless, the books on this list are, indeed, my all time favorites cherished works that.
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. History of the first vermont cavalry volunteers by. This one pdf file contains all 16 of the books that make up this fascinating collection. Trying to name the top dozen civil war books of all time is. Far more books have been written about the civil war than about any other event in. With the formation of the confederacy at the beginning of the american civil war 18611865, the southern literary establishment foresaw the dawning of a new literature. Grant, recommends three books to read to understand the civil war and its legacies. The civil war is a highintensity war waged between several organized groups that existed within a country or the same state.
For our latest newsstandonly special issue, the civil war almanac, we asked a panel of civil war historiansj. Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers. The stereoscope and stereographs are amazing, and the book is pretty great too. Not really a civil war book, but crucial to understanding all other civil war books. Hey all, christmas is coming up and for those of us that have an amazon addiction its time to get some ideas on what to ask santa claus for. Historical times illustrated encyclopedia of the civil war is the most complete onevolume reference on the civil war ever produced. Gone with the wind by margaret mitchell, the killer angels by michael shaara, incidents in the life of a slave gi. We bring to you a list of the top 10 books on civil war history has been loved by civil war historians all. Historical times illustrated encyclopedia of the civil war. For those who dont know of glenn and his work, he is the richard frockt family professor of civil war history and director of the institute for civil war studies at. Browse our selection of books on civil war history, and learn about the heroes who fought and died to preserve the american union. This wiki has been updated 19 times since it was first published in august of 2015. The main aim of the civil war was to attain independence and to have total control of a particular region or country and to change the policy of the government.
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. Ron chernow, acclaimed biographer of hamilton as well as ulysses s. Six books on the civil war these six histories of the civil war that are mustreads if you want to better understand the conflict. The best civil war books of all time analysis civil. This page details the ebooks that are currently available for free to our viewers. Glenn has gone way out on a limb, and has published a list of his top 12 civil war books of all time. The first book to present the greatest photographs of the civil war in the. A very readable, provocative, and surprising account of precivil war america. From james mcphersons definitive history to tony horwitzs adventures among obsessives, here are. First annual reunion and dedication of monument at gettysburg, pa. Lee surrender his army of northern virginia to union general ulysses s. 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. I bought this as a gift for my son in law, who is a history buff. Time life civil war series for sale american civil war forum.
834 475 840 237 520 679 301 1427 1457 1276 581 1053 1044 149 1548 1079 1287 277 739 240 1456 654 1483 773 323 1341 1147 1333 553 1036 439 1382 1149 923 871 621 1209 1455