Latest reviews

It was a great read! I rarely read a book twice but I did on this book.

This was Sears' first Civil War book, from back in the early 1980s, but he's already got his in-depth style largely set. As usual for Sears, the book covers not only the battle but the lead up to and aftermath of the battle. Very enjoyable read.

Sears is a bit notorious for his disdain of George McClellan, although fairly well justified I think. This book is now almost 40 years old, but is probably still the best single-volume work on the campaign.

A very enjoyable and well-researched book about an under-studied part of the Gettysburg Campaign that effectively demolishes many misconceptions. It's a story of hard marching, exhausted men, logistical problems, lots of rain, a surprisingly lot of fighting (22 different engagements), and generally terrible conditions for everyone involved. It gives pretty effect and fair coverage to both Union and Confederate.

I read this in college and didn't care for it. I read it again a decade later when I had gone back to college and really liked. Having learned much more about the American Civil War in the intervening decade probably helped.

McPherson's thesis is that, because they lived in a politically-active pre-cynicism era and were mostly volunteers (rather than regulars or conscripts), the soldiers on both sides of the Civil War were highly motivated by patriotism, duty/honor, and political ideology throughout the war.

I put this book in my top five most important books for understanding the war.

A really enjoyable movie that did much to get me interested in the American Civil War as a kid.

Very good enjoyable writing, mediocre history.

Detailed, regimental-level history of the Chickamauga Campaign. Chickamauga is a confusing battle and I don't think Cozzens quite succeeds in making things as clear as they should be. Still probably the best single-volume work on the subject though.

Covers the events from Hooker replacing Burnside through the entire Chancellorsville battle. Some will consider it a Hooker apologia, but I think it does a effective job of explaining the many factors contributing to Union defeat: Hooker's concussion, mistakes by other generals, communication issues, Union strength on paper being misleading due to expiring enlistments, etc.

Not the definitive work on the campaign, but a very good read.

"Battle Cry" is a Pulitzer winner and generally regarded as the best one-volume treatment of the Civil War. I'd say this praise is well deserved. In addition to an overview of the war itself, McPherson delves into the many problems in the 1850s that lead up to the war and other important events from the 1850-65 period that get overshadowed by the war. The navy, emancipation, Republican policies, and the role of women are all touched upon. There are definitely some minor points that could be nitpicked and some of the summaries border on oversimplification, but there is ALOT to cram into a single volume and McPherson is a very good writer.

Lives up to the hype; highest recommendation.

Great read. Perhaps a little too Lincoln-centric and not enough about his cabinet (i.e. the titular team).

Excellent book.

I absolutely love books about the American Civil War, history rocks!