Recommend books for American Civil War

**hellheaven1987** · April 08, 2010, 01:04 PM

I have been quite interesting about ACW in past few years due to this forum, but only until recently I truly decide to study it after reading Liddell Hart's book regarding General Sherman's campaign (who Hart regarded as the one who taught him Grand Strategy and Deep Strategical Movement). Because of this book, I decide this summer would be a good time for me to spend hours to study ACW, perhaps even spend sometimes to visit some battlesites. Either way, I would like some recommendation for good ACW books, prefer more focus on military aspect but with enough political and social factors to support the readers understanding the reasons behind the military operations.

**Lazzeer** · April 08, 2010, 01:12 PM

Well, in my opinion one of the best books on the Civil War is McPhersons "Battle Cry of Freedom." Although unfortunately for you it does focus a lot on the political side of the war, although McPherson naturally also writes a great deal on the military side.

Bearss "Pivotal Battles of the Civil War" is quite a good read in that it focuses, in quite a lot of detail, on 13 key battles from the Civil War.

**Farnan** · April 08, 2010, 05:00 PM

Killer Angels by Michael Shaara.

Technically a novel as it features the actors as characters, it is drawn from the notes of Longstreet, Buford, Fremantle and Chamberlain and gives you a good idea what was going through commander's heads as they fought the battle.

**hellheaven1987** · April 08, 2010, 05:09 PM

Hmm, but I would like to read more grand history first, since I have very little idea about ACW besides the very basics.

You have to know the whole story before studying the details, right?

**Xanthippus of Sparta** · April 11, 2010, 01:15 PM

I have one to suggest,

American Hertiage: Picture History of the Civil War by Bruce Catton

http://www.amazon.com/American-Herit...1009535&sr=8-1

A very comprehensive book, and it includes a huge amount of very interesting political cartoons, recruitment posters, paintings and drawings from the era, etc. Along with the story of the war and commentary by one of the better historians on the subject.

Great if you're looking for a survey of the battles, armies, political situation, the homefront, etc.

Its a huge volume, and very cheap...Amazon: 33 cents used.

Buy it immediately, looking through it is like opening a time capsule. I'd suggest it to anyone...especially those who want the basic story of the conflict first. It was my first book about the Civil War (a gift from my family when I was 10 or so) but as with me it probably won't be your last.

**Farnan** · April 08, 2010, 05:12 PM

Well getting into Killer Angels gives you a good idea of the battle, why both sides fought, and the personalities that make up both sides so their strategies later make sense.

**hellheaven1987** · April 08, 2010, 05:15 PM

Originally Posted by Future Redleg Officer

Well getting into Killer Angels gives you a good idea of the battle, why both sides fought, and the personalities that make up both sides so their strategies later make sense.

Well, what I mean is I don't even know those battles and the background, so once I start reading individual battle it becomes very confusing to me. It happens when I read Hart's book about Sherman, and have to constantly checking Wiki to get more background story.

It took me two days before I realized Tennesee was in Confederate.

**Viking Prince** · April 08, 2010, 06:43 PM

General books to get you started -- on my bookshelf the 3 volume Shelby Foote

The Civil War: A Narrative

and the 8 volume set by Allan Nevins

ORDEAL OF THE UNION VOL. 2 by Nevins

If you only have time to read one book, The Killer Angels by Shaara (fiction) and Landscape Turned Red: The Battle of Antietam by Sears would give a good 'flavor' for the period

**Hounf of Culan** · April 08, 2010, 09:55 PM

I too recommend Shelby Foote, he gives a very accurate account of literally almost everything that happened in the war.

**conon394** · April 09, 2010, 09:24 AM

Bruce Catton's Army of the Potomac series is good (Mr. Lincoln's Army, Glory Road, A Stillness at Appomattox)

**67th Tigers** · April 09, 2010, 05:39 PM

Originally Posted by hellheaven1987

I have been quite interesting about ACW in past few years due to this forum, but only until recently I truly decide to study it after reading Liddell Hart's book regarding General Sherman's campaign (who Hart regarded as the one who taught him Grand Strategy and Deep Strategical Movement). Because of this book, I decide this summer would be a good time for me to spend hours to study ACW, perhaps even spend sometimes to visit some battlesites. Either way, I would like some recommendation for good ACW books, prefer more focus on military aspect but with enough political and social factors to support the readers understanding the reasons behind the military operations.

Bearing in mind what you're asking for, this is probably the best general history covering the whole war : http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=T...page&q&f=false

**Viking Prince** · April 09, 2010, 09:02 PM

Originally Posted by 67th Tigers

Bearing in mind what you're asking for, this is probably the best general history covering the whole war : http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=T...page&q&f=false

Yes, I should have mentioned that on my list. For those who want the title without clicking a link:

How the North Won: A Military History of the Civil War -- HERMAN HATTAWAY, Archer Jones (Authors)

Also there is a companion volume:

Why the South Lost the Civil War -- Richard E. Beringer, Herman Hattaway, Archer Jones, William N. Still Jr. (Authors)

**hellheaven1987** · April 11, 2010, 09:00 AM

Great, that is exactly what I am looking for, thanks guys.

**jseyf26** · April 11, 2010, 06:13 PM

After you get comfortable with the background info you're looking for, I do definitely recommend Killer Angels. I loved it

**Hanny** · April 13, 2010, 05:40 AM

Originally Posted by hellheaven1987

I have been quite interesting about ACW in past few years due to this forum, but only until recently I truly decide to study it after reading Liddell Hart's book regarding General Sherman's campaign (who Hart regarded as the one who taught him Grand Strategy and Deep Strategical Movement). Because of this book, I decide this summer would be a good time for me to spend hours to study ACW, perhaps even spend sometimes to visit some battlesites. Either way, I would like some recommendation for good ACW books, prefer more focus on military aspect but with enough political and social factors to support the readers understanding the reasons behind the military operations.

ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.a...a/reading-list