Best book for beginners

[Quantrill's Missouri]

I watch a lot of American Battlefield Trust and The History Underground and I am trying to really buckle down and learn the Civil War. I realize just how complex it is and 80% of it goes over my head. I mean the shooting, firing and killing is pretty easy to learn, naturally. But the battalions, batteries, regiments, cavalries, infantries, etc., etc., go on forever. Is there any book or books that a novice like myself can ease into learning all of this without being so overwhelmed? I know it takes tons of study and attention, but how can I start to grip of all this? I don't need to know the places really, it's trying to follow those AT the places.
And...should I watch the two aforementioned channels from beginning to end?

 

[Josh The Lighthouse Guy]

I think the best thing to do is read books at the broader level then drill down deeper where you find particular interest.

For example, if you want to make sense of Chickamauga starting largely from scratch, start with the corresponding book from the Emerging Civil War or Gottfried's "Maps of..." series. Then if you want to know more read Cozzens. Then if you still want to know more read Powell's trilogy.

If you mean trying to learn Orders of Battle (OOBs): any good battle book has them as an appendix and many good ones are on Wikipedia.

For that matter, Wikipedia rabbit holes are a good starting point too. Sometimes there's enough information there to satisfy my curiosity. Other times I still want to know more and the Further Reading section gives me some ideas.

 

[Jamieva]

Start with Battle Cry of Freedom by James McPherson.

 

[Pollaco]

National Geographic put out one years ago (1969) titled simply "The Civil War" by Robert Paul Jordan. I'm assuming simple is what you're after.

 

[ivanj05]

I like to recommend A Short History of the Civil War by James Stokesbury as my go to one volumn intro text.

 

[peacefulanimalguy7]

The Oversimplified dude on Youtube has a two-part series oversimplifying both the causes of the war and the war itself

 

[Pete Longstreet]

The Civil War: A Narrative, by Shelby Foote is a good place to start. It tells a good story of the war overall. It also has maps of the battles, so it gives a visual while you read along. Plus it's a masterpiece and a joy to read.

 

[13 IL Cav & 64 GA Inf]

I watch a lot of American Battlefield Trust and The History Underground and I am trying to really buckle down and learn the Civil War. I realize just how complex it is and 80% of it goes over my head. I mean the shooting, firing and killing is pretty easy to learn, naturally. But the battalions, batteries, regiments, cavalries, infantries, etc., etc., go on forever. Is there any book or books that a novice like myself can ease into learning all of this without being so overwhelmed? I know it takes tons of study and attention, but how can I start to grip of all this? I don't need to know the places really, it's trying to follow those AT the places.
And...should I watch the two aforementioned channels from beginning to end?

Watching TV is fine, but will not give you a comprehensive knowledge of the war or especially its participants. I would recommend getting and reading Shelby Foote's trilogy, "The Civil War" and then reading books about battles and issues that you are particularly interested in. (Some fault Foote for not citing references, but his work is actually well researched, and the trilogy covers the Civil War from start to finish.)

 

[Pollaco]

I dont have my Shelby Foote books handy but it's got to be over 1,000 pages. Very good book but a long book (3 actually). The National Geographic that I mentioned is just a little over 200 pages.If simple is what you are going for.

 

[Pollaco]

I watch a lot of American Battlefield Trust and The History Underground and I am trying to really buckle down and learn the Civil War. I realize just how complex it is and 80% of it goes over my head. I mean the shooting, firing and killing is pretty easy to learn, naturally. But the battalions, batteries, regiments, cavalries, infantries, etc., etc., go on forever. Is there any book or books that a novice like myself can ease into learning all of this without being so overwhelmed? I know it takes tons of study and attention, but how can I start to grip of all this? I don't need to know the places really, it's trying to follow those AT the places.
And...should I watch the two aforementioned channels from beginning to end?

I have to agree. There are a "zillion" things to learn about the Civil War. I just can't retain that much. The basics will do just fine, then keep up with some of this forum.Some of that knowledge will sink in.

 

[TallTallMan]

None Died in Vain by Robert Leckie is simple and in-depth. Also an awesome cover.

 

[Quantrill's Missouri]

I don't know why and have no explanation, but for some reason, Antietam is what has me hooked. I've always been a Civil War "fan" (for lack of a better term) and my last twenty years has been my local Missouri and Kansas border wars history. Of course, I knew about the major battles of the war, but I recently started to really submerge myself into the overall war and Antietam was the one that kept calling.

 

[52ndFandS]

The Civil War: A Narrative, by Shelby Foote is a good place to start. It tells a good story of the war overall. It also has maps of the battles, so it gives a visual while you read along. Plus it's a masterpiece and a joy to read.

I agree. I've heard a few say that it's not good enough for whatever reason. The man was a novelist, it's a narrative and very, very good one at that. I've never read anything like it.

 

[52ndFandS]

My vote is Co. Aytch. You can understand battles, politics ge erals and movements on the field. That is highly personal and book you hungry for more. And nothing explains that war like sn enlisted man.

There is a bookend from a Union soldier and the name escapes me. I'll edit it in when I think of it.

 

[Quantrill's Missouri]

Thanks for the replies and advice, folks!

 

[Borderruffian]

Cattons The Civil War

 

[52ndFandS]

Cattons The Civil War

I think it's a good call. I read it too far along in my studies so I found it a little dry.

 

[Borderruffian]

I think it's a good call. I read it too far along in my studies so I found it a little dry.

I got for Christmas as maybe a 5th grader so besides Random House in histories it was my first adult history book.

 

[52ndFandS]

I got for Christmas as maybe a 5th grader so besides Random House in histories it was my first adult history book.

I'm not saying it's bad. I still get a warm feeling when I see those short bios of Lee, Grant and Jacksin. My mom read the same ones. I'm actually getting a little nostalgic writing this.

 

[Militarybooks]

Confederate Soldiers in the American Civil War: Facts and Photos for Readers of All Ages

A leader in military and general history book publishing.

www.savasbeatie.com

Union Soldiers in the American Civil War: Facts and Photos for Readers of All Ages

A leader in military and general history book publishing.

www.savasbeatie.com

The New Civil War Handbook: Facts and Photos for Readers of All Ages

A leader in military and general history book publishing.

www.savasbeatie.com