What American Civil War Books Are You Planning On Buying/Reading Next?

R. Evans

Sergeant
Joined
Jan 19, 2013
Location
Salem, Ohio
Forgive me if there is a thread like this around. I did a search and couldn't find anything.:smile:

So here goes. These 3 should be here tomorrow or Saturday. Can't wait to dive in.​
One+Continuous+Fight.jpg
No-Better-Place-to-Die-9780252016523.jpg
9781596297456_p0_v1_s260x420.JPG
 
No names redacted in my copy???

Much of this work was written by Alexander while he was in Nicaragua at the behest of the government and thus he had no access to sources of information; it was an 'off the top of his head' recollection. Consequently, he used '_____' when he could not recall the exact information. The intent was to literally "fill in the blanks" once he returned to the United States.

While this is not redacting in the sense that words and phrases are blacked out, underscores achieve the same effect.

Not sure why the underscores were not replaced with accurate data at a later time by Porter Alexander. IIRC correctly, this was not intended for publication as was the classic "Military Memoirs of a Confederate". Instead, these were more personal reminisces prepared at the request of his family that lay unknown for 80 years.
 
Vote Here:
The book by Porter was hard to read for me because many of the names were redacted.
Lubliner.
No names redacted in my copy???
Much of this work was written by Alexander while he was in Nicaragua at the behest of the government and thus he had no access to sources of information; it was an 'off the top of his head' recollection. Consequently, he used '_____' when he could not recall the exact information. The intent was to literally "fill in the blanks" once he returned to the United States.

While this is not redacting in the sense that words and phrases are blacked out, underscores achieve the same effect.

Not sure why the underscores were not replaced with accurate data at a later time by Porter Alexander. IIRC correctly, this was not intended for publication as was the classic "Military Memoirs of a Confederate". Instead, these were more personal reminisces prepared at the request of his family that lay unknown for 80 years.
In case this is confusing, there are TWO vastly different editions of Alexander's memoirs; they even have different names, Military Memoirs of a Confederate and Fighting for the Confederacy, and are NOT the same book. As Lincoln56 has stated Memoirs was published first around the turn of the Twentieth Century after Alexander had submitted parts of the original manuscript to friends and associates for their review and comments. They didn't approve of the critical tone of the work, especially his criticisms of Lee (sacrilege!) and persuaded him to change or soften much of it, resulting in Memoirs... which soon became an acclaimed "classic." However, the pieces of the original manuscript still existed and lay unread for the next several decades until their rediscovery, editing, and publishing as Fighting... which has likewise been acclaimed by a less worshipful audience which appreciates their candor. Personally I've never read the first "redacted" version, but the second is indeed wonderful and full of Alexander's pithy and apt observations!
 
Last edited:
Vote Here:
Currently reading The "Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant "
I like first person narrative about the CW and view it in the proper context.
Really enjoy his perspective in his words even if the sentence structure of his thoughts seem confusing at times. I like how he pauses at times to reflect on a colleague of historical importance as a side bar to the story. I constantly challenge the use of the punctuation throughout the reading which makes me believe there was little editing to the original script. I truly delight in his undertaking the task of this writing.

IMG_2300.jpg
 
Vote Here:
In case this is confusing, there are TWO vastly different editions of Alexander's memoirs; they even have different names, Military Memoirs of a Confederate and Fighting for the Confederacy, and are NOT the same book. As Lincoln56 has stated Memoirs was published first around the turn of the Twentieth Century after Alexander had submitted parts of the original manuscript to friends and associates for their review and comments. They didn't approve of the critical tone of the work, especially his criticisms of Lee (sacrilege!) and persuaded him to change or soften much of it, resulting in Memoirs... which soon became an acclaimed "classic." However, the pieces of the original manuscript still existed and lay unread for the next several decades until their rediscovery, editing, and publishing as Fighting... which has likewise been acclaimed by a less worshipful audience which appreciates their candor. Personally I've never read the first "redacted" version, but the second is indeed wonderful and full of Alexander's pithy and apt observations!
Thanks James, as I have both editions and have not decided on which to read. Appreciate the clarification.
 
Vote Here:
Just ordered " From Arlington to Appomattox Robert E Lees Civil war day by day" by Charles Knight, it seems to be a day after day account of what the General was doing every day of the war sort of like Longs "Civil war day after day". Got good reviews by Jeffery Wert, Robert Krick and some others. Looking forward to reading it. Can't believe the research it must of taken to do a book like this. It's over 500 pages of info !
 
Vote Here:
Vote Here:
I've just finished a book that is part of a series often mentioned on CWT, "The Problems in American Civilization"; the book is The Causes of the American Civil War. The title is a bit misleading: rather than being a discussion of the views of the editor (Edwin C. Rozwenc), it is a collection of analyses by various historians, representing differing views. I'd have liked to see how the topic of abolition was handled but I see that there is another book in the series that is exclusively concerned with that issue. I found this book both enlightening and thought provoking.
 
Vote Here:
May be the most “readable” book In my collection. Waugh takes you through this legendary class from the first day on campus, through the Mexican War, and on to the heartbreak of facing each other in the “late War”.It is fascinating to learn of their little cliques and romps in their freshman year, obviously without regard to the future North/South allegiances....⭐⭐⭐⭐
1896C408-6845-4CDC-85D1-8BED164F9402.jpeg

8AFA4E2C-ADEC-46D4-AF6D-EBBD177C25DF.jpeg
 
Vote Here:
May be the most “readable” book In my collection. Waugh takes you through this legendary class from the first day on campus, through the Mexican War, and on to the heartbreak of facing each other in the “late War”.It is fascinating to learn of their little cliques and romps in their freshman year, obviously without regard to the future North/South allegiances....⭐⭐⭐⭐View attachment 418781
View attachment 418782
This one sounds like an excellent read!
Lubliner.
 
Vote Here:
Back
Top