Posted by Steven on 8/5/2008, 16:18:59, in reply to "Re: questions, etc."
76.187.106.26
: Related question for Steven: what Civil War histories
: do you recommend? Are the Shelby Foote books good?
: Are they broader than just military histories? Also,
: I just picked up the Donald bio of Lincoln, which
: looks quite promising. Any thoughts you or anyone
: else have on Civil War era books in general, and on
: these in particular?
The best overall book on the Civil War is Battle Cry of Freedom by James M. McPherson. It covers more than just the military campaigns and is very well written and balanced. It is very enlightening on the causes, socioeconomic factors and consequences of the war without being the least bit dry.
The Shelby Foote books are also very good, but they are strictly a military history. As such, though, they are both the most comprehensive and the best written of all the general histories of the war.
Donald's biography of Lincoln came out just at the time I was turning to other interests, so I've never read it, though I heard from others that it was outstanding.
Message Thread:
« Back to thread