Civil War Book

[Virginia Dave]

What Civil War book would you recommend to a Newby under the age of 25 for a starter?

 

[TallTallMan]

It seems to be out of print now, but None Died in Vain: The Saga of the American Civil War by Robert Leckie gets my vote.

https://www.amazon.com/None-Died-Vain-American-Civil/dp/0060162805/?tag=civilwartalkc-20

I bought it recently, so it shouldn't be hard.

 

[Pollaco]

The National Geographic Society put out a pretty "basic" book simply titled the Civil War. It was by Robert Paul Jordan and back in 1969.Not sure if it's still in print. Like I said, basic.

 

[Library Lady]

The National Geographic Society put out a pretty "basic" book simply titled the Civil War. It was by Robert Paul Jordan and back in 1969.Not sure if it's still in print. Like I said, basic.

There are a ton available according to this AddALL list. Prices are extremely modest. I agree with @Polloco that it is a basic book, but the intended audience is adult. I have the first edition from 1969, and that is probably when I read it, so I don't remember if there is any particular slant. There is a large number of pictures and artworks which is typical of National Geographic publications. I liked it well enough to keep it for all these years and through many moves.

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[JackADriscoll]

I enjoyed the TIME-LIFE books because you can pick a battle or a campaign that might interest you. If he is literally starting from scrstch, then maybe he should start with a book that covers the entire war.

I have to third on this one. Grab a volume and open a page and start. It really is like having the entire war

 

[Kurtlg]

I have to third on this one. Grab a volume and open a page and start. It really is like having the entire war

I have the entire set I got by subscription many years ago. It would be a good thing for a beginner looking for specific battles and other things.

 

[stu613]

"Strange and Fascinating Facts of the Civil War" was my favorite in Junior high. I checked it out of the school library so many times, my mom ordered me a copy for my birthday- I still have it some 50 years later.

 

[stu613]

More realisticly, start them off with the American Heritage book ( a great overview), then feed them the Bruce Catton series, and then let them get into the nitty-gritty with the Time-Life series.

 

[dlofting]

The National Geographic Society put out a pretty "basic" book simply titled the Civil War. It was by Robert Paul Jordan and back in 1969.Not sure if it's still in print. Like I said, basic.

It's a good beginner book. Consider it a smaller version of the American Picture History of the Civil War.

 

[Louisiana Jayhawker]

A Military History of the Civil War: How the North Won by Herman Hattaway and Archer Jones. It's 762 pages and declared "comprehensive and coherent book".

 

[Library Lady]

It's a good beginner book. Consider it a smaller version of the American Picture History of the Civil War.

I like how you described it, @dlofting . The only thing is that it is missing the great pictorial maps that are in the American Heritage book. That there's not something equally attractive map-wise in a book from National Geographic is kind of weird when you think about it.

 

[John Winn]

So, what think ye @Virginia Dave ? Can you provide any details as to who you have in mind for such a book ? We're trying to help.

 

[DixieRifles]

More realisticly, start them off with the American Heritage book ( a great overview),

I was very lucky to have that book in my elementary school's library and our high school's library. When we had "study hall" hour in the library my buddy or I would go grab this book.
Fast forward 50+ years later, I was at the airport and they had this book on Sale. I got it for $14 —- at the airport book store!!

 

[Pollaco]

It seemed fairly easy to spark an interest in the Civil War back then afterall there wasn't much competition from video games, cell phones or too many SciFi movies with somekind of superhero.Oh yeah, we knew how to read back then too. Are the youths of today still showing any interest in the ACW?

 

[stu613]

I was very lucky to have that book in my elementary school's library and our high school's library. When we had "study hall" hour in the library my buddy or I would go grab this book.
Fast forward 50+ years later, I was at the airport and they had this book on Sale. I got it for $14 —- at the airport book store!!

I still have my copy of that book from the 1960"s as well! But I am guessing that does not really surprised you.

 

[JackADriscoll]

It seemed fairly easy to spark an interest in the Civil War back then afterall there wasn't much competition from video games, cell phones or too many SciFi movies with somekind of superhero.Oh yeah, we knew how to read back then too. Are the youths of today still showing any interest in the ACW?

I don't know anyone under 30 that does

 

[Kurtlg]

I don't know anyone under 30 that does

Could they even tell you what century it was in ?

 

[Steven Rockwell]

It might be helpful if there was a particular aspect of history that your friend is interested in after a general history. If you friend likes naval history, something like James McPherson's The War on the Waters: The Union and Confederate Navies, 1861-1865 might be something he would take to. If he's into social history maybe something like A Woman's War: Southern Women, Civil War, and the Confederate Legacy by Campbell and Rice. Something like that.

 

[Pollaco]

Could they even tell you what century it was in ?

There are many adults who can't even get that right.

 

[bankerpapaw]

I have to third on this one. Grab a volume and open a page and start. It really is like having the entire war

I have had the Time Life series for quite some time.

 

[Choatecav]

It seemed fairly easy to spark an interest in the Civil War back then afterall there wasn't much competition from video games, cell phones or too many SciFi movies with somekind of superhero.Oh yeah, we knew how to read back then too. Are the youths of today still showing any interest in the ACW?

All of these competing interests definitely are dragging down the time available for younger folks to study or read on the war or even American History in general. But, I submit that another (and maybe larger) thing that is lessening interest is the hard efforts of many today to absolutely vilify one side while exalting the other. One thing that made our generation dig into this is that there were heroes on both sides and stories to be told and studied. Now.... with "all things southern" being trodden under foot and the removal of southern monuments, names removed from streets, schools, buildings, etc. etc., it appears cut and dried.... black and white, and it absolutely wasn't that way. I personally think that is the real poison behind canceling out interest in the War Between the States!

Oh, and it isn't stopping there as we see statues and monuments to the founding fathers and other key figures in American history being taken down for some PC reason or another.

Guess I had better stop now or I will get another warning for discussing modern politics..........................