NF Book recommendations for non-history lovers

[tonijustine]

If you had a friend or relative who was not a history-lover ask you to recommend a book about the Civil War, what book would it be?

I am starting a website for families to engage in Civil War discovery and part of what I am doing is providing reviews to tools and resources (books, movies, family travel guides) family members of all ages can use to spark an interest in history. The target demographic is families who would like to know more about history but have traditionally found it either overwhelming or boring.

History teachers, parents with kids, grandparents, avid readers...

If you could recommend a book to someone with little to know knowledge about the Civil War in the hope of kindling an interest in them, what would it be?

I have already reviewed Bruce Catton's This Hallowed Ground and B is for Battle Cry: A Civil War Alphabet by Patricia Bauer and David Geister (childrens' book). And I am working my way through Two Miserable Presidents by Steve Sheinkin and Tim Robinson (Middle School-Junior High School students).

PS my website goes live on April 12 (cwscout.com) but our Facebook page is live now (Civil War Scout).

 

[Chattahooch33]

I would say Company Aytch by Samuel Watkins. It is a memoir written by a regular private and has sparked the interest in tons of people. He writes with tons of wit and dry humor and if you are from the southeast then you are familiar with many of the places he goes through.

I think a lot of it depends on if a person like politics or action. I despise reading about politics. I am fascinated with the Revolutionary War but a book on the Continental Congress or Washington at Valley Forge bores me to tears. I want action, bullets, smoke, and bombs which I am sure is similar to many others, that's why action movies are popular.

 

[tonijustine]

I would say Company Aytch by Samuel Watkins. It is a memoir written by a regular private and has sparked the interest in tons of people. He writes with tons of wit and dry humor and if you are from the southeast then you are familiar with many of the places he goes through.

I think a lot of it depends on if a person like politics or action. I despise reading about politics. I am fascinated with the Revolutionary War but a book on the Continental Congress or Washington at Valley Forge bores me to tears. I want action, bullets, smoke, and bombs which I am sure is similar to many others, that's why action movies are popular.

This is a great recommendation! It is on my list but it is worth being moved up, though so I review it sooner rather than later.

Thanks!