NF Best book/worst book.

[Eric Wittenberg]

I meant to say more about it - I was fully expecting it to be just more Politically Correct South-bashing, but found the author really quite sympathetic with the many oddball characters he encountered in his travels. I couldn't help but wonder what he would think of the current fights over Confederate symbols, since that was going on twenty years ago too, though maybe not quite as virulent as now. About a third through he got bogged down in a racial incident involving a homicide and subsequent trial, but once through that sorry episode it picked up again in a week-long Civil Wargasm trip that reminded me in ways of one I made myself this April! That long chapter was like a tour guide to the then-current state of many principal Civil War sites. His involvements with "hardcore" Confederate reenactors also reminded me of several of my own experiences which I've posted about here in the Forums. I thought that overall Horwitz's book was a thoughtful look at some of the many and sometimes conflicting reasons we're continually fascinated with "our" war.

Interestingly, I know Rob Hodge personally. I've actually known Rob since not long after the book came out (Brian Pohanka introduced me to him; Brian thought highly of him, which tells me all that I need to know about a person), and he serves on the board of directors of the Central Virginia Battlefields Trust with me, so I am in pretty regular communication with him. He's a very serious student of the war, is extremely knowledgeable, and takes getting it right as seriously as a heart attack. He's older now, obviously, but he still does all he can to ensure that he gets it right. At the same time, he cleans up quite nicely--I've seen him in a suit and tie--and he is not the buffoonish character that Tony made him out to be. That's really the only issue that I take with the book.

 

[Thequillandthebayonet]

I hope someday to hear reviews of my book The Quill & The Bayonet. It was just accepted by the Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain Museum gift shop and is available at the Bowdoin College bookstore. The book is available online if anyone is interested. I have really enjoyed hearing these reviews!

 

[redbob]

The American Heritage book that's already been mentioned is my favorite general history, mostly for the pictures. And the nostalgia - it was my first book on the war. Bruce Catton "Glory Road" is one of 2 military histories that ever made me cry, so that's a best. Last page is pure poetry. Worst? Without a doubt, "Killing Lincoln." Bad history. Bad writing. Absolute drivel. Best information? Allan Nevins "Ordeal of the Union," first 4 volumes. I think he's a must read to understand the causes of the war.

I've read far too many, but one of the earliest and one that has stuck with me since I got it for Christmas when it was first published in 1960 is The American Heritage Picture History of the Civil War with text by Bruce Catton. I still like to pull it off the shelf and refer to it and look at the illustrations. One very disappointing work that comes to mind that wasn't truly awful but that has very little to recommend is The Greatest Brigade by Thomas Craughwell, supposedly a unit history of the famous Irish Brigade which I reviewed here: https://civilwartalk.com/threads/the-greatest-brigade-by-thomas-craughwell.135224/

I received the American Heritage Book when I was in the sixth grade (1963) as a reading club award, it was my first book on the subject and it still holds a special meaning for me. Between it and the Life Magazine Civil War edition with all of the paintings that was in Life Magazine during the centennial they were the gateway to my interest in the Civil War.

 

[redbob]

Welcome!
It largely depends on your interests.
I can recommend my favorite, Gary W. Gallagher, Editor, Fighting for the Confederacy: The Personal Recollections of General Edward Porter Alexander.(Chapel Hill, NC: The University of North Carolina Press, 1989.).
If you want to understand the background for the secession crisis of 1860/61 and the ensuing rebellion, I recommend David M. Potter, The Impending Crisis: America Before the Civil War 1848-1860. (New York: Harper Collins, Inc., 1976)
For an overview, The American Heritage Picture History of the Civil War. (New York: American Heritage Publishing Company, 1960), that others have mentioned is still the best.
I can also recommend the easy to read Catton trilogy:

Bruce Catton, The Coming Fury. (New York, Doubleday & Company, 1961);
Bruce Catton, Terrible Swift Sword. (New York, Doubleday & Company, 1963);
Bruce Catton, Never Call Retreat. (New York, Doubleday & Company, 1965).​

There are also a number of very good, older books available for free at books.google.com.
Thus far I haven't encountered a 'worthless' Civil War book. All have something for us to learn.

Between Porter Alexander's books and Moxley Sorrel's book (Recollections of a Confederate Staff Officer), I believe that they are among the best first person accounts written about the Civil War.

 

[WJC]

Between Porter Alexander's books and Moxley Sorrel's book (Recollections of a Confederate Staff Officer), I believe that they are among the best first person accounts written about the Civil War.

Thanks for your response.
I have Sorrel's book but haven't yet read it. I'll have to move it up in the queue....

 

[redbob]

Thanks for your response.
I have Sorrel's book but haven't yet read it. I'll have to move it up in the queue....

I don't believe that you will be disappointed.

 

[Coonewah Creek]

Well, they took me forever to finish long ago, but to me, the best "book" was a 3-volume set...Shelby Foote's The Civil War: A Narrative.