This Hallowed Ground

[hcheetham]

Just started reading This Hallowed Ground by Bruce Catton. I can see why this is such an acclaimed book to read. any one new to the ACW should surely read this book first to get started.

 

[James N.]

That, along with Catton's Army of the Potomac trilogy ( Mr. Lincoln's Army, Glory Road, and A Stillness at Appomattox ) formed the basis of my literary interest in the war. I read them all when I was in high school and have never forgotten them. Catton's equally excellent one-volume American Heritage Picture History of the Civil War ( 1960 ) has gone through several editions and name changes but I believe is still in print or at least available. I also acquired his Centennial History ( The Coming Fury, Terrible Swift Sword, and Never Call Retreat ) about the time they were published, though it took me many years to finally get around to reading them. Catton was a Michigander and although I always thought him to be fair, some diehards thought he had a Union bias, understandable since he talked about having grown up in Michigan and visiting the local old soldiers' home to listen to their war stories.

I was always daunted by their bulk, but watching Ken Burns' The Civil War made me want to read Shelby Foote, who was the other great "name" in historians while I was growing up. I'm happy to say I'm currently slowly achieving that goal and am over halfway through!

 

[donna]

I have all of Catton's books thanks to my father. I read them years ago and they were my first introduction into learning about the Civil War. Dad always enjoyed them and helped me to enjoy them. I got my husband interested and he now has read them too.