More vacation reading - what did you read?

[samgrant]

Late summer vacation/fixing up my mom with Assisted Living place:

Well, I was able to do 4 books and start another:

An Honorable Defeat by William C. Davis - Davis at his best as narrative of Jeff Davis's and cohorts flee and the final dissolution of the Confederate government, has quite interesting descriptions of Benjamin's and especially Breckinridge's escape.

Like Men of War by Noah Andre Trudeau - a rather dry yet comprehensive review of the battles in which Black/Negro troops were largely involved from 1862 Thu 1865, lots of maps, mostly a battle oriented account, does not much discuss the evolution of the use of freedmen as Union soldiers.

And Keep Moving On by Mark Grimsley - Mark says on his website that he has been encouraged by the fact that he has never seen any of his books in the 'Bargain Bin' at book stores; well I bought this one from Amazon with the telltale Black line across the bottom. Never the less, if you can find this book, subtitled 'The Virginia Campaign, May-June 1864' at any price you will be will be rewarded with one of the most compact, coherent narratives one could wish for of this complex extended battle. (That campaign/battle has always challenged me, and this book has clarified much I had been confused about without getting into so many details about which regiment of which division etc. did this or that.)

Nothing But Victory - The Army of the Tennessee 1861-1865 by Steven E. Woodworth - an excellent book covering the early formation of this army of the West thru it's early trials and forward as Grant's army developed into perhaps the most formidable army of the war, and then it's further actions under Sherman as it fought the war to it's conclusion.

Books I started on and am still into:

The Presidency of Abraham Lincoln by Phillip Shaw Paludan - This is focused on Lincoln in regard primarily to his actions as President, more so as his actions the defender of the Constitution and laws of the U.S. than as Commander in Chief. Paludan argues persuasively that Lincoln always had in mind, and as himself a lawyer, always sought ways in which his actions could be made to fit within the limits of the Constitution.

Books I started into, but had to put aside:

Richmond Redeemed - The Siege at Petersburg by Richard J. Sommers - I had expected this to be a comprehensive account about the long siege, but found it almost exclusively focuses on "Grant's Fifth Offensive of early autumn, with particular emphasis on its opening battles, Chaffin's Bluff and Poplar Spring Church." This is a little too much detail for me in a 449 page book!

The Confederate Republic - A Revolution Against Politics by George C. Rable - Well, I was a Political Science major in college, but this is not vacation reading! I had vacillated between bringing this book or Emory Thomas' The Confederate Nation: 1861-1865, and found out I made the wrong choice. I think I'll revisit this volume sometime in the indefinite future.

[elektratig]

OK, Samgrant, I'll jump in and report briefly on the book that I read this summer that had the least to do with the Civil War, or even American history: Before the Dawn: Recovering the Lost History of Our Ancestors, by Nicholas Wade. Basically, the book translates for non-scientists the stunning advances that scientists have made over the past twenty years or so in unravelling the history of human evolution and development. I took a physical anthropology course in college, but they are light years beyond that now. Primarily using genetics, scientists can make pretty good educated guesses now as to when and how humans lost their body hair, began wearing clothes, spread around the globe, etc. Fascinating, fascinating stuff.

Unbeknownst to me when I bought the book, it turned out that there was one connection to American history. The final chapter explains how genetic testing established (unless you are a member of the OJ jury) that Thomas Jefferson was the father of Sally Hemings' children.

http://www.amazon.com/Before-Dawn-Re...035202?ie=UTF8

[bschulte]

Sam,

I've been looking for Mark's book at a decent price myself. I'm hoping I can find a remaindered copy or a cheap copy on eBay. As for Richmond Redeemed, I find that sort of tactical detail to be unfailingly interesting. It is definitely a book wargamers can put to good use, in any case. A lot of others I've talked to have found it a bit dry, and it sounds like you're finding it to be that way too.

[JohnW in E.TN]

Originally Posted by samgrant

Late summer vacation/fixing up my mom with Assisted Living place:

Well, I was able to do 4 books and start another:

An Honorable Defeat by William C. Davis - Davis at his best as narrative of Jeff Davis's and cohorts flee and the final dissolution of the Confederate government, has quite interesting descriptions of Benjamin's and especially Breckinridge's escape.

Hello again, Sam, hope you are well. I have this title in my library and enjoyed it very much. I have always been a great admirer of Mr. Breckinridge.

Regards,

John W.

[samgrant]

Originally Posted by bschulte

As for Richmond Redeemed, I find that sort of tactical detail to be unfailingly interesting. It is definitely a book wargamers can put to good use, in any case. A lot of others I've talked to have found it a bit dry, and it sounds like you're finding it to be that way too.

Well, it did occur to me that the book might be of interest of re-enactors for all it's detail, but I have no knowledge or interest in 'gaming'. As I mentioned, I had thought it might give a more broad perspective on the entire time of that siege, explaining soldiers perspectives of living in the trenches, etc. Well it was something else.

[ole]

Well, it did occur to me that the book might be of interest of re-enactors for all it's detail, but I have no knowledge or interest in 'gaming'. As I mentioned, I had thought it might give a more broad perspective on the entire time of that siege, explaining soldiers perspectives of living in the trenches, etc. Well it was something else.

Agreed, Sam. Sometimes the detail is appreciated and sometimes it just gets in the way. Currently examining Pfanz's Culp's Hill and Cemetery Hill. Exhaustively researched and equally exhausting to read. I'm really not in the mood to wade through the regimental lineup, from left to right, of each brigade in the neighborhood on the 2nd and 3rd of July. I'm glad I have the information and will someday dig it back out to piece together those details. This time through I was looking for a quick, smooth read and Pfanz does not offer that.
Ole

[bschulte]

Originally Posted by samgrant

Well, it did occur to me that the book might be of interest of re-enactors for all it's detail, but I have no knowledge or interest in 'gaming'. As I mentioned, I had thought it might give a more broad perspective on the entire time of that siege, explaining soldiers perspectives of living in the trenches, etc. Well it was something else.

Sam,

You might be interested in Petersburg: Out of the Trenches by James W. Wensyel. It covers exactly what you were looking for above.