Favourite Books on the Great Rebellion?

[cragwolf]

My favourite book on the American civil war is without a doubt:

"The Bloody Crucible of Courage: Fighting Methods and Combat Experience of the Civil War" by Brent Nosworthy (A wide-ranging and illuminating analysis of the fighting methods and combat experience of soldiers in the civil war. What methods worked, what didn't, theory vs practice, how the methods evolved during the war, how they differed North vs South and East vs West, how they differed from other wars before and elsewhere, and so on).

My other favourites include:

"How the North Won: A Military History of the Civil War" by Herman Hattaway and Archer Jones (Focuses on the strategy and logistics, rather than tactics, employed by the various armies. Emphasises the importance of management of armies, staff organisation, civilian involvement, and so on.)

"Sealed with Their Lives: Battle of Crampton's Gap, Burkittsville, MD, Sept. 14, 1862" by Timothy J. Reese (A superb and detailed study of what the author convincingly argues was the most important battle of the Maryland campaign -- strategically more important than Antietam.)

"Army of the Potomac: Birth of Command, November 1860 - September 1861" by Russel H. Beatie (The first volume of a brilliant analysis and history of the Army of the Potomac. Like a breath of fresh air in a subject that was becoming a little stale. The second volume of the series is also excellent, and a third volume is about to be released.)

"The Civil War: A Narrative (Vols. 1-3)" by Shelby Foote (This is storytelling on a grand scale and Foote is equal to the task. A refreshing Southern perspective of the war uninfected with the poison of Lost Cause mythology. Reading other accounts of civil war battles, I'm often led to muse on how much better a job Foote did of telling a story. Only thing I miss is footnotes.)}

[hoosier]

I've read part, though not all, of Shelby Foote's trilogy. I agree with you that he's a master storyteller.

I haven't read any of the other books you mentioned, though they sound interesting.

One Civil War trilogy that I have read and would recommend would be the three books written by Bruce Catton: "Mr. Lincoln's War," "Glory Road," and "A Stillness at Appomattox." These are, perhaps, more Union-focused than Foote's books, but like Foote's, they also give plenty of insight into what the other side was thinking and doing.

[gary]

"How Pvt. George Peck Put Down the Rebellion." My absolute favorite even though it's pretty useless as a source for historical events. Its useful for humorous events and it's a Civil War version of Sad Sack.

I also enjoyed Bruce Catton's works.

If you want a definitive account of the campaign for Vicksburg, read Ed Bearrs three volume set.

Gordon Rhea's books on Grant's Overland Campaign is excellent!


(Message edited by gary on January 22, 2005)

[ole]

Gentlepeople:

Catton's books -- all of them -- are almost equalled by Shelby Foote's. Catton is an easier read. Both necessarily cover the war but can't dive into the kind of detail many of us like to find.

Great overall looks at the time.

Have too many books waiting my attention, so don't have time to re-read Catton and Foote, but they are well worth it.

Favorite? Almost anything by Bill Davis.
Ole

[caller]

I would have to say that Union Jacks by Michael Bennett is my favorite for the mere fact that excerpts of my Gr-Gr-Gr-Grandfather are used in it to explain a couple battles and the life of a union sailor.
In terms of writing, I really enjoy any essay or book written by James McPerhson. He has a strong way with words.
However, I have only 20 books on the Civil War, so it will be a while before I can speak of a consistent favorite.

[gary]

For easy and fun reading, I enjoy Richard Wheeler's series of books on the Civil War. He weaves a lot of first hand accounts into his narrative.

[johan_steele]

<u>Hardtack and Coffee</u> by Billings, an entertaining, educating and outright enthralling account by one of the men who was there. <u>Civil War Guns</u> by Edwards is another subject specific book that is second to none and is in fact the book upon which all others are to be judged. And finally <u>All for Union</u> by Elisha Hunts Rhodes is one of those rare well written, informative and entertaining books that show the war through the eyes of a man who was there.

[bill_torrens]

I have to agree with Shane that Hardtack &amp; Coffee is an absolute treasure. And I find I can rise above Catton's pro-Union bias because his writing is such a joy.

My absolute favourites are A.N.V. memoirs...I'd choose E.P. Alexander's Fighting For The Confederacy &amp; Francis Dawson's Reminiscences of Confederate Service. But I also have a soft spot in my heart for the gloriously opinionated memoirs of John W. Haley of the 17th Maine: The Rebel Yell &amp; The Yankee Hurrah.

[jenna]

A Woman's Civil War" By Corniella Peak McDonald. I could read her diary over and over! IT is such a great detail of how life was in the south as a woman of promenance having to cope with the war, her husband dieing and her life changing forever. She was a woman with allot of spririt!

[rebelchick]

My favourites include:

Shelby Foote's Civil War: A Narrative This is a great read that belongs on any Civil War bookshelf. It takes a long time to read through all three volumes but it is well worth it. Foote is an exceptional writer.

With Pen and Saber: The Letters and Diaries of J.E.B. Stuart's staff officers by Robert J. Trout. I love to read eyewitness accounts of the war and this is one of my favourites.

They Followed the Plume by Robert Trout. This is a companion to the above book. It consists of short biographies of the men who served on Stuart 's staff.

Gallant Pelham by Charles G. Milham. An excellent account of the young man who commanded Stuart's horse artillery.

Dear Mother Don't Grieve About Me: Letters From Georgia Soldiers in the Civil War. This is one of the best collections of letters I've read.