The American Civil War

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The American Civil War is a defining moment in history in many ways. Not only was it the where the conflicts that lay in back of the framing of the Constitution were laid to rest, along with the bodies of some 600,000 young men, but it amply demonstrated the direction of future wars.

Dates Title Author Rating Description
April 1860-July 21, 1861 The Coming Fury Catton 7 Volume One of The Centennial History of the Civil War. Bruce Catton was the reigning champion of popular histories of the Civil War until the esteemed Mr. Foote came along. This volume examines the beginnings of the American Civil War from the election-year wranglings of 1860, and details through the initial moves of the war, culminating in the First Battle of Bull Run.
1861-1865 This Hallowed Ground Catton 7 An excellent one volume history of the American Civil War.
1861-1865 The Civil War Burns 7 Ken Burn's documentary series on the American Civil War is justly famous. It uses an inspired blend of art and photographs from the period as well as voiceovers to present the material very ably without having to rely on reinactors.
July 21, 1861-November 7, 1862 Terrible Swift Sword Catton 7 Volume Two of The Centennial History of the Civil War.
July 1861-September 18, 1862 Mr. Lincoln's Army Catton 7 Volume One of The Army of the Potomac Trilogy, covering from the initial organization of the Army under McClellan to the Battle of Anteitam.
April 18, 1862-July 4, 1863 The Final Fortress Carter 6 The book examines the campaign for Vicksburg, from the initial attempts after the fall of New Orleans, to its surrender. Detailed, yet very well written, and a very enjoyable read.
September 17, 1862-July 19, 1863 Glory Zwick 8 The story of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment, one of the first African-American units in the United States Army. The history is bent in a few places (for instance, the unit formed some months after what the film implies), generally in favor of character development, and is quite acceptable, especially in light of the general impact of the movie.
November 1862-November 19, 1863 Glory Road Catton 7 Volume Two of The Army of the Potomac Trilogy. This covers the period from before the Battle of Fredricksburg to the Battle of Gettysburg and the changes in command the Army went through during this period. My favorite volume of the series, as much for final chapter on the cleanup after Gettysburg and the dedication ceremony for the cemetary.
July 1-3, 1863 The Killer Angels Shaara 9 Pretty much the definitive novel of the Battle of Gettysburg, and often gets respect from people who are not interested in the genre.
July 1-3, 1863 Gettysburg Maxwell 8 Largely based off the novel The Killer Angels, it is a well-done (if quite long) movie of Gettysburg, with only a few problems (the nickname "Battle of the Bad Beards", is at least partially deserved).
February 12, 1864-April 9, 1865 A Stillness at Appomattox Catton 7 Volume Three of the Army of the Potomac Trilogy.
March 8, 1864-June 15, 1864 No Turning Back Lowry 6 Book one of a series on the last year of the war done purely chonologically. This one covers from Grant formally taking overall command through the Army of the Potomac's crossing of the James River. [Note: In all fairness, I must admit to bias here. This is by my Dad.]
June 14, 1864-September 3, 1864 Fate of the Country Lowry 6 Book two of a series on the last year of the war done purely chonologically, covering the start of the siege of Richmond through the fall of Atlanta. [Note: In all fairness, I must admit to bias here. This is by my Dad.]
September 2, 1864-December 22, 1864 Dark and Cruel War Lowry 6 Book three of a series on the last year of the war done purely chonologically. This one covers from after the fall of Richmond, the final campaign in the Shenandoah Valley and Sherman's march to the sea. [Note: In all fairness, I must admit to bias here. This is by my Dad.]
December 22, 1864-May 28, 1865 Towards an Indefinite Shore Lowry 6 The fourth and final book of a series on the last year of the war done purely chonologically. This one covers the final months of the war, and covers the various aspects of the final collapse of the Confederacy. [Note: In all fairness, I must admit to bias here. This is by my Dad.]