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Before heading to bed I thought I would thank you all for your suggestions. I've definitely changed my mind and WILL be reading Foote as soon as the books arrive in the mail.
I was looking at Amazon.com and noticed that Ordeal of the Union by Nevins was only available used. Are these books out of print? Just curious.
Ole. To be honest it makes me a bit anxious that I have no books on the Civil War to read. I didn't realize after the last couple that I was going to get into the subject like I have and didn't plan accordingly to have books on backup when I was finished with Winik, etc. Luckily I have a stack of Chess books that I haven't gotten to that I can read in the meantime.
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
Before heading to bed I thought I would thank you all for your suggestions. I've definitely changed my mind and WILL be reading Foote as soon as the books arrive in the mail.
A good move. I think you would have done yourself a great disservice by not reading Foote's trilogy. They are a great read and beautifully written. In my opinion, no Civil War library is complete without a set.
Regards,
John W.
__________________ Ancestors in CSA Army: 51st VA, 54th VA, 45th VA, 50th VA, 24th VA
I got 're-awakened' to my Civil War interests by watching the DVD movie Gettysburg, which caused me to get Gods and Generals in DVD format; which caused me to get the book; "The Last Full Measure as there have been no financial backers like Ted Turner to see the last trilogy put onto the screen. Pity. Then I bought the 'Sharra books' - Killer Angel, Gods and Generals. There is history in the books that are more 'detailed' than the DVD which has historical as a foundation but, has been slimmed down and yet, so lengthy--that those seeking 'just' entertainment would be bored with it--but, the book really is better than the DVDs yet--won't part with either.
That said, I didn't stop there -- I bought the DVD; The Complete War DVD-ROM -- Official Records and more from www.guild.com; In this $127.00 DVD, there will be stories from Generals; like General Gordon (CSA), Longstreet (CSA), and several others; to include Confederate papers and correspondences; to include the CSA Congressional, Representatives, General Orders, etc.; not just Union -- Then, I bought used books from Amazon.com and getting some real nuts and bolts information about the 'admininstrative' aspects of the Army; as to make a better picture of what terms they meant--I bought; 1)The 1862 Army Officer's Pocket Companion -- A Manual for Staff Officers in the Field (which is stuffed full of defining the configurations of marches, the tasks of many staff positions, details and calculations on how to time, marches of infantry and cavalry; etc. A real gem); 2)The 1862 U.S. Cavalry Tactics - Instructions, Formations and Manouvres by Philip St. Geo. Cooke (who originally wrote it for US Army and defected to the CSA but, both CSA and USA used these training tactics) --I wouldn't buy it unless you were training a re-enactor's horse or curious about the training of the rider and horse--doesn't cover 'tactics and applications' as the 'Pocket Companion,'
and additionally--I bought 3)The 1865 Customs of Service for Officers of the Army - A Handbook of the Duties of Each Grade - Lieutenant to Lieut. General by August V. Kautz and the 4)1865 Customs of Service for Non- Commissioned Officers and Soldiers - A Handbook for the Rank and File of the Army by August V. Kautz; and also bought 5)The 1863 Laws of War --Articles of War-General Orders No. 100, Army Regulations by U.S. War Department. I bought these books used when possible and am very happy with them. These manuals makes more sense out of the Official Records and for me, gives me more understanding behind the battles. I find reading these manuals and official reports, that include issued Special Orders and General Orders; I can see an 'unsweetened' truth and words used. Historians may tell the truth as they see it--yet; I feel a responsibility to seek truth for myself as to come to my better understanding. The Sharra books are fairly accurate according to the Official Records of the Rebellion. It is my belief that Sharra books also took character's personal memoir's to 'add' other facts other than the official record.
Just some thoughts,
Respectfully submitted for consideration,
M. E. Wolf
Truly ole, I read Killer Angels more than twenty five years ago. I read Jeff's books as soon as they came out. I'd say they were captivating narritives and worthy of movie making.
The Shaara books have probably done more to reawaken an interest in the Civil War than anything since Gone with the Wind. Every now and then one must take a break from real history to have some fun reading. At least the Shaaras have made a good effort to present history in an entertaining manner.
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
I was looking at Amazon.com and noticed that Ordeal of the Union by Nevins was only available used. Are these books out of print? Just curious.
Oscoda: I rarely buy new books. Mostly, when I want a book, I go to abebooks.com. But others have different venues. This might be a good time to explore the aftermarket sources.
Any takers? Where do you buy your books?
ole
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
Oscoda: I rarely buy new books. Mostly, when I want a book, I go to abebooks.com. But others have different venues. This might be a good time to explore the aftermarket sources.
Any takers? Where do you buy your books?
ole
The Dallas Fort Worth area is the headquarters of Half Price Books and they have a number of stores throughout the area selling used books at half the cover price or less.
Since I have only recently gotten back into reading on the Civil War, I have gone there and rebuilt my collection at some incredible prices (some $30.00 books for $4.00, etc.).
__________________ "There must be more historians of the Civil War than there were generals figthing in it... Of the two groups, the historians are the more belligerent." David Donald, Lincoln Reconsidered (1961)
Oscoda: I rarely buy new books. Mostly, when I want a book, I go to abebooks.com. But others have different venues. This might be a good time to explore the aftermarket sources.
Any takers? Where do you buy your books?
ole
Ole,
Your recommendation of Abebooks some time back, has saved me hundreds of dollars on school books. Abe is great, and I´ve never encountered any problems with them.
Thanks for a good recommendation,
John W.
__________________ Ancestors in CSA Army: 51st VA, 54th VA, 45th VA, 50th VA, 24th VA
I received the "Revised Regulations for the Army of the United States - 1861 today-- Nothing like reading the 'regs,' for a bit of light reading. [Grins]
As far as the Sharra books go, their focus is more on their characters and impact for that set period and time in the Civil War and how they conducted themselves. Mostly, the 'unsung heros' which were in the ranks of General and those surrounding them; as Generals tend to have more documentation around them, e.g. orders, commands, official reports, journals, letters and biographies. Unless, someone is so outstanding like the "Angel of Mercy of the Battlefield" Sgt. Richard Kirkland (CSA) --to whom would at his own peril took canteens after canteens to those dying or wounded on the battlefield and winning admiration from both sides and shows compassion that was obvious--there are so many other 'unsung heros.' But, most 'heros' do not do it for glory or praise. They do their heroic deeds because it was the right thing to do. It is so very sad that Sgt. Richard Kirkland did not live much longer and survive the Civil War, dying in battle at Chickamauga--but, none forgot the Angel of the Battlefield at the battleground at Marye's Heights, Battle of Fredericksburg and his compassion for those under General Sykes' who laid dying or wounded on the 'killing field.' How many other stories and heros are forgotten?-- Perhaps due to lack of notice, lack of documentation or such--that doesn't make them any less important to me.
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