Campfire Chat - General DiscussionsThis is a forum for posting discussion topics, questions, current events, and anything else you'd like to chat about. Please post serious Civil War History threads in appropriate History Forums.
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've bought books from Barnes & Noble, from Amazon, Hamilton Books, from Goodwill stores, garage sales, library sales, and a small used book store near where I live. Now I'll want to take a look at abebooks.
Here's a suggestion you may or may not have thought of.
I have grown up sons and daughters who have learned that an easy way to get through my birthdays, Christmas, etc., is to load me up with books. The problem that eventually arises (since we all live in different states and they can't browse my bookshelves) is the probability of duplicating books I already have.
There is a web site called Library Thing which you can find here: http://www.librarything.com/ Here, you can list your books, along with pictures of the covers, your rating of them and any comments you care to make about them. Membership is free, but limited to 200 books unless you get a paid membership, which is only $10 a year, or $25 for a lifetime membership. After that, you can list as many books as you choose. The service even includes, on your "profile page" links to other members who share some of the same books you have.
I'm in the process of listing all my books there, and recently, after receiving two Lincoln books in the mail from my son who, fortunately, selected books I didn't already have, it occurred to me that I could send the URL for Library Thing to my offspring, and when they get an overwhelming urge to send me a book, they can easily check to see if I already have it.
Seems like a reasonably good way to avoid the problem of duplicates from your gift-givers.
Thanks, Jules. An excellent suggestion. I have bookmarked the page. Now comes the hard part: figuring out what all I have.
__________________ "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)
I'll go with that as a great idea, Jules. My people have been long forbidden to buy me a book. Cash works, and I too frequently buy duplicates.
What say we start a forum to trade duplicates to someone else for theirs?
Last time I cleaned house, I had 35. Managed to dispose of them to worthy recipients, but now I have two more: "Nothing but Victory," Woodworth (paperback) and Guelzo's "Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation." Two for two. Anyone? One for one?
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
What say we start a forum to trade duplicates to someone else for theirs?
Last time I cleaned house, I had 35. Managed to dispose of them to worthy recipients, but now I have two more: "Nothing but Victory," Woodworth (paperback) and Guelzo's "Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation." Two for two. Anyone? One for one?
ole
I still allow gifts of books, although money's good. Last Christmas my 9 year-old grandson proudly presented me with a CW book he'd picked out all by himself, "Ghosts and Haunts of the Civil War."
I think trading duplicates is a fine idea, although so far I've managed to avoid duplicates. Before I started using Library Thing, I used (and still use) a book database on my computer, and since I buy most of my books by mail, I always check the database before I write out an order. It saves standing on my head to search the lower shelves.
Incidentally, have you ever read David Herbert Donald's "Lincoln," and if so, what did you think of it?
I think the money is well spent, as I am enjoying maps from the Civil War and some are amazing and detailed. Some are plain and functional.
Confederate History section helps add to the Official Records and the stories from Confederate Generals, like General Gordon--Longstreet, Early and Sorrel helps 'tell' the story; as well as Lee's son publishing his father's letters and correspondences; as well as injecting his own war experiences.
The map section holds more surprises then I bargained for--In cruising the map index; it came to be there are drawings of Rosecran's Ambulance--I didn't know he designed an ambulance! Confederate Ambulances were detailed out; drawings to reconstruct for the re-enactor; even had railroad cars for hospital cars detailed in there--has also the different flags for Union. Artillery flag is different from Infantry flag--interesting stuff and glad to see the supporting evidence that the Hospital and Ambulance flag was 'yellow.'
If you are interested in just maps -- Another good find was at the Bull Run Battlefield/Manassas Battlefield concession stand inside the Visitor's Center -- I was shocked at the amount of books available, DVD's, etc.;
I picked up a book called Great Maps of the Civil War; by William J. Miller; it is rather a big book but; it has unique envelope pages which holds copies loose--so you can not be restricted by viewing it only from the book--these loose maps you can put under the microscope and copy if need be as to pencil follow the campaigns. It also gives explanations of how some maps were made and duplicated for officers in the field. I have no regrets--as a really hard finding map of Georgetown with the streets named is worth it! Thirty-two maps are enclosed.
I also picked up, Walter Taylor's book Four Years with General Lee, Very interesting book and, personally consider Col. Taylor being one of the most famous 'Staff Officers' of the Civil War as he was constantly with Lee. He also was satisfied in his journey to the War Department where all these Official Records of the Rebellion were stored; and --if he felt assured the Confederate records were correct as far as his documents were--his assurances assure me.
The other gems, in my collection is: 1861 US Army Rules and Regulations, The 1862 Army Officer's Pocket Companion-A Manual for Staff Officers on the field, The 1862 US Cavalry Tactics, the 1863 Laws of War-Articles of War, General Orders #100 and Army Regulations; The 1865 Customs of Service for Officers of the Army and The 1865 Customs of Service for Non Commissioned Officers and Soldiers.
Just some thoughts.
Respectfully submitted for consideration,
M. E. Wolf
Incidentally, have you ever read David Herbert Donald's "Lincoln," and if so, what did you think of it?
If you have only one book on Lincoln, this one ought to be it.
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
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.).
Walker....I sooooooo miss the Half-Price bookstore on NW Highway.
I agree that D.H. Donald's book is probably the best Lincoln book out there in a field of hundreds, if not thousands, on the man. Doris Goodwin's book is also quite fascinating and a definite must read if one hasn't read it.
And to throw my two cents into the Foote debate, I am just now getting to read his work, and thus far I am enjoying it. It is definitely readable, and, though not written by a historian, it is a must read, I think. He and Catton did a great deal to make the Civil War accessible to the vast majority of the public, and not just the realm of academics and trained professional historians. It made it readable for the masses. To fore go reading this wonderful work is mistake. Its well worth it!!
__________________ "The unity of government which constitutes you one people is also now dear to you. It is justly so, for it is a main pillar in the edifice of your real independence, the support of your tranquility at home, your peace abroad; of your safety; of your prosperity; of that very liberty which you so highly prize." George Washington, Farewell Address, 1796
To fore go reading this wonderful work is mistake.
Double-dog AMEN, J Man. Just enjoy! But do not quote him in your subsequent debates. Simple. Shelby Foote is a basic. Saying "Shelby Foote said...." doesn't get you any points.
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
I have found that there is nothing better for a long car ride than a book on tape. I can't read and drive, but I sure can listen.
Our public library has several hundred good history books on tape. It takes me about two weeks to "read" the average book.
About 15 years ago I was commuting 45 minutes each way to work and listened to the entire Shelby Foote trilogy in a summer. He might not be the greatest historian, but he is a fabulous story teller. I couldn't wait to get in the car to resume the story and there were many evenings where I sat in the car in the driveway to listen to the end of a chapter.
CivilWarTalk.com -
A free and friendly Civil War community. 
Books as Gifts 
Linear Mode
