Best One Volume Book on the War

[J_Man0507]

Just thought I would see what everyone's favorite one volume treatment of the Civil War is. My personal favorite would have to be McPherson's "Battle Cry of Freedom." For one volume on one of the most momentous events in American history, I think he did an amazing job. What are everyone elses favorites?

[unionblue]

J_Man0507,

Myself, I'm having a hard time remembering all the books on the Civil War I have read!

One of my favorites is Lincoln's Constitution, by Farber, as it goes a bit into the legal problems the war had to deal with.

I also agree that Battle Cry of Freedom is a good, one-volume history of the war, a good primer for those who want to get more than their feet wet in the history of the period.

Sincerely,
Unionblue

[J_Man0507]

Good to hear your opinion Unionblue!! I have Farbers book, but unfortunately haven't been able to pick it up yet and read it, though I have done some skimming, and it seems to be well written and I can't wait to read it! Good reading!!

[samgrant]

Can I nominate a Worst one volume treatment?

David Eicher's The Longest Night

It should have been subtitled The Longest Read.

Compared with McPherson, Catton, or Foote, it's like reading the Manhattan phone-book.

How I put up with 224 pages of the 855 pages of this dry, lifeless tome, I'll never know.

The maps were pretty good, tho.

[J_Man0507]

I will agree with sam, it wasn't one of the best there is out there. I did like it, but not as much as others. It was a little dry and tedious, but I do appreciate the maps that were there. I also wouldn't recommend it for a novice read on the ACW. Catton, McPherson are probably the best. While Foote's work is amazing, even I have yet to get fully through it. Very long, but incredibly detailed, which I like.

[gary]

Another vote for McPherson.