Audio Book Recommedation

[Specster]

I know I have read that some people liked Gettysburg by Newt Gingrich. When I picked it up I was not aware that it was fiction. After listening to it for a while I was thinking to myself, I thought that happened differently, and, moreso, Gee, Dan Sickles appears to be a really good General, why is he so maligned in history. Its embarrassing but I listed well over 2 hours before figuring out that this was fiction. So many people had good things to say about this book, I just thought it had to be accurate.


I dont like it. You can say "what if" (the justification for the book), from now til eternity passes. What god does it do? You could not write a fiction to equal what happened at Gettysburg because there were so many sub stories, and heros and close calls that you would have a hard time believing it really happened. Very much like the story of the Titanic. Plus it detracts from the heroism of those, north and south, who gave their lives - frequently in valient fashion. There is enough real material to write about Gettysburg. Although the style is impressive, I am not happy with the product - I stopped listening and returned the book 1/2 way thru.

 

[Specster]

I haven't read Gladwell so I can't really comment. I don't believe in pre-determined behavior based on heritage or geography in the context of Reconstruction I believe that individuals made their own choices fully aware of the consequences. On the other hand, some cultures obviously have higher tolerance for violence than others for a variety of reasons.

Jefferson C Davis, the murderer of William Bull Nelson was said to be brought up in an agrarian "Culture of Honor" after Nelson insulted him many believe that he could not let it go, because of the way he was raised. Davis was small, he could not beat Nelson in a fight so I shot him.

 

[civilken]

If you are looking to spend a lot of time writing try Shelby Foote is Civil War narrative is about 250 hours and I love every minute of it he is a master storyteller.

 

[ceddco]

I'd like to affirm how great the library is for e-audiobooks. *Free*
Many libraries will direct you to download the app "Overdrive" (compatible on all major platforms).
Sign in with your library info. Pros: Free and never have to physically go to the library.
We didn't know this was possible before we started borrowing about a year ago, we enjoy it and just passing on info.

 

[dlavin]

I'll second, or third the Foote series...Am on volume III and I get lost in it

 

[1stMN]

I'll second, or third the Foote series...Am on volume III and I get lost in it

That is the next one I plan on listening to on my road trip this spring

 

[clayfeeter]

I drive mega miles and spend on average 4.5 hours in my car, 6 days a week. While driving, audio books are great. Can members recommend a good audio book - I was thinking Fredricksburg or Chancellorsville battle - I like the battle field more than politics. If anyone could suggest a good audiobook it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in Advance,

Spec

Oh boy Specster you are talking my language!!

Over the past 15 years I've listened to dozens of CW audiobooks, love em so much i even took a job with Blackstone Audio for a couple years (they have lots of good ones, including my fav, Foote's CW A Narrative which they produced themselves, see below)

I have driven cross country both ways listening to the 145-hour (approx) Shelby Foote "Civil War: A Narrative" as I trapsed between Glorieta Pass, NM to St. Albans, VT and even down to Olustee Battlefield, FL..

Definitely THE way to get the most of Foote's classic is via audio (I've heard "A Narrative" NINE times all the way thru!)...

... and even tho I own all three books I've NEVER been able to get thru them UNTIL I got the audio version!!

BE SURE IT'S THE VERSION READ BY GROVER GARDNER!! Epic.

Also, in no particular order and can't remember exact titles of some, but other good CW audios I've heard are:

One about Quantril called The Devil Knows how to Ride by Ed Leslie

Grant's biography

Confederates in the Attic is great!

Landscape Turned Red (at least the version I rented was read by a TERRIBLE reader, very important to hears previews before checking out CDs or d'loading from library or renting from audible.com etc cause I LOVE Stephen Sears but hated whoever read it SEE Catton book comment below, the same guy read "Landscape")

I seem to recall Sam Watkin's "Co. Aytch" being good

The Belleagured City (Vicksburg), By Shelby Foote and READ by him is awesome, as is his Stars in Their Courses (Gettysburg) by Foote

Oh and as Quara mentioned above do NOT forget to include lecture courses when looking for your next audiobook, I've heard the Great Courses CW Gallagher series, it's fabulous.

Also the reader who read an otherwise great book, Hardtack & Coffee was bad, he even pronounced "cavalry" "calvary"

Equally badly read (though a good single volume CW history) was:
The American Civil War by Bruce Catton...the reader sounded like Captain Kangaroo!!

Will think more on others I've heard... but audio books are THE way to go.. I especially like driving to a battlefield while listening to the audio about the battle I will end up at.

Listen on!
Clay

 

[clayfeeter]

*The* audiobook which changed my life is -- and I know there are diverse opinions on this -- Shelby Foote's The Civil War: A Narrative. Not everyone is a fan of Foote I realize, but his writing style mirrors fiction so closely (after all, he is an author) that it really lends itself very well to audiobooks. His entire 1.2 million word tome is available in audiobook, read by the wonderful Grover Gardner. I have listened to it all the way through once, and am about 1/5 of the way through my second go around right now (I have a morning commute and it makes the time fly by). It keeps the war always on my mind, for better or worse, and I would sincerely recommend it.

If Foote's not your thing, I would second the recommendation for Tony Horwitz's Confederates in the Attic. Also, and I personally own this on audiobook and can speak for its quality, Horwitz's book on John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry, Midnight Rising: John Brown and the Raid That Sparked the Civil War, is extremely recommendable (if you're OK with something slightly predating the war).

Audio books are wonderful ways to make being in the car enjoyable!

Hey J I'm a member of the Foote Narrative fan club ..

thankfully Shelby did not read it or it would've taken about 380 hours to complete hahaha, as it was the most excellent Grover Gardner reads it in something like 145 hours, of which I've heard at least 9 times all the way through

I know that some historians feel Shelby gave too much emphasis to Forrest and maybe to the Western theater but overall it is an epic classic.

....and for me one of the bonuses is that by listening to it so many times I now can recall the order each battle came in, one after the other and I really could give a college course now thanks to that particular audio book in Civil War history

 

[clayfeeter]

I completely agree with all of that.

Great humor indeed! There are many, many points where I have laughed out loud listening to Narrative. Not because of any outright jokes, but just subtle Foote-isms which are perfectly delivered. You can tell Foote is a great admirer of A. Lincoln as well, as there is no shortage of witty Lincoln one-liners and just plain funny stories in which Lincoln is either involved or directly telling.

And I hadn't thought about Gardner and Grant, but now that you mention it I think I can hear it! I'll have to listen closely for that tomorrow morning .

ABSOLUTELY! One of this laughs for me came when Foote describes Burnside as "somewhat of a pistol slapper" (perfect!!)...

 

[mphstteach]

I drive mega miles and spend on average 4.5 hours in my car, 6 days a week. While driving, audio books are great. Can members recommend a good audio book - I was thinking Fredricksburg or Chancellorsville battle - I like the battle field more than politics. If anyone could suggest a good audiobook it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in Advance,

Spec

I am currently listening to Crucible of Command its great

 

[CheathamHill]

Landscape Turned Red was an amazing audio experience