The Civil War: Complete text of the best narrative history of the Civil War with over 100 actual pictures
928161
This book offers many details of Civil War events with a good selection of photographs in a format that first offers a narrative of a given event followed by pictures that illustrate that event with detailed explanation of the pictures.  There is a lot of repetition in the two narratives which I found more irritating than helpful, but overall, it helped my understanding of the war.
3330517
This is the best of the Time-Life Civil War books that I have purchased. The book has many quotations, but the quotes are from exceptionally important people in the war. Also, the quotes are from enlisted men as well as officers, from BOTH sides of the war. I found this text to be of value in understanding the viewpoint of the soldier who took part in this important battle.
4104101
I bought this for my son-in-law who is a Civil War enthusiast and he has really enjoyed it. Aside from just the text, it includes maps and other information not always found in other books on the subject.
3523429
I am an avid reader of any and all things cncerning the American Civil War. I have lived in Maryland all my life. Stumbled across this book in the library and found it so good i had to buy it.

What I like best about the book is the format the author chose to use; the history unfolds chronologically by dates, its parts seperated by year. The book comes with illustrations and photographs. It is filled with little gems of information. For instance I did not know that the U.S.S Constitution (Old Ironsides) was stationed at Annapolis at the outbreak of the war. It was moved and anchored offshore to protect it from being seized or damaged by Confederate symphasizers. It was later taken to New England along with the current class of midshipmen when the U.S. navy decided ro move the acadamy from Annapolis in fear that it mght be taken by the Confederacy.

The aurhor does not delve as deeply as I would have liked into each event covered in the book, but likewise i do not think it was his intent to do so. I think he means for the book to be an interesting and easy read directed not only towards readers interested in the Civil War but also Marylanders who perhaps are unfamiliar with some of the states history and wish to learn more. If that is the case he certainly succeeded. I am very satisfied with my purchase and recmend the book to those nterested in the subject.

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4625380
My title says it all: Battle Cry of Freedom is the best one-volume history of the Civil War.  For my money, you simply cannot find a better comprehensive Civil War coverage in 800 pages. It has been some time since I read it (1998); yet despite being the first book I ever read on this topic, it has remained the standard by which I have judged all subsequent studies. McPherson's work is well-written, laboriously annotated (the author is a Princeton professor, so that comes with his trade), and comprehensive in its coverage.

It receives 4 stars for a couple of reasons.  First, the first 300-odd pages deal with the landscape during the 2 decades preceding the war.  My personal tastes favor more coverage of the personalities, and events of the war.  Second, it is a tad on the academic side. This made the story, at times, seem distant and cold.  These are wholly personal critiques, however, and I  still overwhelmingly recommend "Battle Cry of Freedom" to almost any other work.

For readers looking to delve into the conflict deeper, I would make two suggestions: "The Impending Crisis" by Don Edward Fehrenbacher and Shelby Foote's 2-volume work "The Civil War: A Narrative."  Impending Crisis is a fantastic work on the prewar period, whereas (for my money) nobody ever told the story of the war better than Mr. Foote.
2517300
I grew up enjoying going to the library and checking out this book. The illustrations of the battle scenes were great. THis is a very good book and has a ton of information in it. If you want something that will get your kids knowledgeable and into reading about the civil war this book will definately fit the bill.
3006597
This excellent book, which is written by the subject of the book, was excellent in every respect. General "Pete" Longstreet was one of the South's greatest generals in The War Between The States, and his own personal account of the trials and tribulations experienced during the war are certainly unique and very educational. I recommend this book to any student of the Civil War, and especially those who would like to hear the truth from a participant who was also a graduate of the U. S. Military Academy.
2411490
A good historical account of the major campaigns of the civil war with photographs.  This is a good read for someone who wants a broad view of the war and it's infamous battles.
1184692
I decided to buy "Eyewitnesses to the Civil War" based on the reviews - and am very glad I did. Found a new copy from an Amazon-affiliated dealer for under $10.00, which is a wonderful deal for a nice coffee table book of over 400 pages, filled with interesting Civil War articles and 375 photos of battle fields, daguerrotype portraits, uniforms and gear. It is with pleasure that I recommend it to you.
4666801
Ambrose Bierce's Civil War has everything you could ask for from a non-fiction, storytelling book about the Civil War.  It is filled will all sorts of war memoirs and stories from his experiences and experiences of others throughout the Civil War.  There are gruesome explanations of brains oozing out of a head in the war memoir "What I Saw at Shiloh," dead bodies covering the ground and endless thunderstorms.  Alongside these dismal recounts of the Civil War, there are also stories of loyalty, family and courage.  This contrast of the positives and negatives in the war makes this book very interesting.  One page it will be raining and there are dead bodies on the ground.  The next page is filled with sunlight and untouched and uninhabited forests.  My favorite story would have to be "What I Saw at Shiloh," but there are several that are very good.  All of them are extremely descriptive, too.  No details are left out.  Anyone who stays tuned to all of Grandpas old war stories would definitely like this book.  It is filled with enough non-fictional material to keep you on edge for quite some time.
400808
I purchased The Army of the Cumberland by Henry Martyn Cist, as a Kindle book for study of the the Civil War.  If you would like to personalize the participants of the Civil War then the study of this book reveals much of what is known of this group of soldiers who made of the Cumberland Regiments.  It is well worth the read and I like the Kindle format for reading and capturing this information.
126795
While there are many fine historical images from the Civil War Guntzelman's color reproductions make this a standout book and an absolute must for any person with more than a passing interest in the conflict. The pictures are very high quality and although there are a few where the colorizing looks a bit artificial, the vast majority of the photographs are spectacular. Including some of the monochrome originals as contrast was interesting although it does tend to suggest that the originals are more 'authentic' in that they look more historic. Nevertheless, the war jumps out at you in these images and the distancing that old photographs can sometimes induce is replaced by a sense of immediacy, at times almost of shock. The notes, although brief, throw up some interesting ideas and information. The book is very professionally presented and is something to treasure.
77937
Awesome volume that encompasses the highlights of Smithsonian's vast Civil War collection.  It makes me wish moire volumes detailing Smithsonian's seemingly limitless historical collections had comparable volumes.
3743168
This is an interesting treatment of Civil War battlefields, providing background, tour information, and the author's perspectives.  The chapters on each battle are the right length, and the graphics are very helpful.  A very worthwhile purchase.
2134484
Published as the text for a one semester course, this book features an exciting and personal account of the Civil War as seen through the preserved letters of Union soldier, Lewis Bissell. These letters covered the time period of Mid-September 1862 until July 8, 1865. It also features a curriculum guide which uses the letters as a focus for a unified history and literature curriculum. Connecting these two disciplines guides the student to personally enter into Lewis Bissell's personal experience.
1954226
Grade schoolers and junior high school students will find this to be an excellent introduction to the causes of the Civil War, including the leading cause- slavery and the attempt by some politicians and others to extend it into the territories and newly forming states. The organization of the facts and the writing by historian Don Nardo are first rate and the pictures and layout by the publisher are very nicely done. I recomend the book highly.
4596798
Excellent writing style.  Covers Civil War history in southwest Virginia in more detail than I have ever heard or read.  Extensive bibliography.  Index makes it easy to find what I am specifically interested in.  I am a visual person, so I appreciated the maps and photos.