Excellent annotation of period reports on the Civil War and ...
346088
Karamanski does it again!  Excellent annotation of period reports on the Civil War and its impact on Chicago. Highly rcommended.
3472467
_____This is an excellent and absorbing introduction to the Civil War. Arranged alphabetically this book will be good starting point for anyone researching the Civil War. The glossary and timeline are helpful additions.
_____While this book is simple to use, the information is riveting.  Mention is made of not only important soldiers, but also individuals involved with the Abolition movement, nurses, photographers, Blacks, among others who are identified with this era. The actual pictures of events and people and maps add to the overall usefulness of the book.  Readers will definitely want to learn more about the war.
721564
So thankful to a friend for lending me this book on Kindle.  Fast but interesting read on the war in Charleston, SC, from after Ft Sumter in April 1861 to the end of the war in Aril 1865.  One of those times with events that serve as poignant bookends: the lowering of the US flag at Ft Sumter upon its surrender and the raising after Union victory.  What happened in between to soldiers, sailors, and civilians was epic.  Reminded me a lot of the situation in Galveston, TX, which I've read about more - lots of similarities.  Good coverage of events such as the blockade, heroic charges at Fort Wagner, constant bombardment of Ft Sumter, technological innovations, infighting, good firsthand accounts from soldiers and civilians, and more.  The chapter on Du Pont's attack on Charleston is worth the price of the book.  It's well illustrated with period engravings and photographs. Although there are no endnotes, the bibliography shows the author used period newspapers, memoirs, and some modern secondary sources.  Chapters on the Hunley and the "Immortal 600" are more hurried and less interesting than they could be, but don't detract from some great material in the rest of the book.  Definitely recommended for a survey of the war years in Charleston and a springboard for further reading.
168761
"The New York Times Disunion: A History of the Civil War" is a collection of opinion articles regarding the Civil War. It was a series put together by the New York Times that ran in the paper from 2011 to 2015. Editor Ted Widmer with Clay Risen and George Kalogerakis compiled the pieces to create this book. The format makes for accessible reading. The topics are interesting and uncomfortable relevant today. I had to remind myself that these are a mix of history and opinion but nonetheless, it is a way to learn about the Civil War from slightly different angles and not as covered topics. Each writer has their own style but it was still easy to move from one piece to another. Overall, this is a well done presentation with information that is both familiar and unfamiliar.
1451086
Once again the folks at the Massachusetts Historical Society have done a wonderful job of organizing, annotating and indexing a valuable and exciting historical resource. Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams' writings are interesting, relevant and informative. The detailed index of almost 100 pages allows the reader and researcher relatively easy access to the rich trove of Mrs. Adams' body of writing.
2838240
For anyone who wants to understand the roots of the Civil War this is a book for you . The author has done an excellent job of laying out direct quotations and putting them in context of the time. What ensues is a lucid exposition of the venal motives and politics of the Lincoln administration .
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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376809
Given incredibly short notice, William Connery has done a remarkable job in putting together an informative, concise history of the first year of conflict in one of the flashpoint areas of the American War Between the States.

Northern Virginia in 1861 was the no-man's land between Washington City and the Confederate capital in Richmond. A land very different than it is today, it was still of great strategic value to both of the contending factions and the loyalties of its inhabitants were as divided as the nation itself.

Connery has mined the Official Records, period newspaper accounts and personal correspondence and diaries to bring these people and events to life. Easy to read and filled with detail and accounts of lesser known events, the book is a valuable resource for both students of the war and history buffs generally.
3597937
Well written and very well annotated. The author captures the essence of the man and of the times. Very nicely done!
3203710
Just 100 pages in and I can't put it down, This author has done so far an excellent job of giving the reader a sense of the turbulent period in the years leading up to the civil war. The drama that arose with all the land essentially stolen from Mexico in 1848 and the struggle for north and south to claim this precious new territory as their own. The compromise of 1850 that just postponed  the inevitable conflict to come.  The violence that arose from the fugitive slave law especially in northern cities. Still another 800 to go but so far this has been one of the most information filled book I've read on the subject. Not surprising it is a Pulitzer Prize winning book. As I finish up this epic book I can only add to my previous words on the scope and information you will find in this book . A excellent choice for anyone looking to gain a deep understanding of the civil war era. One of the best books I've ever read on any subject.
1410297
Really enjoying reading this book. Filled with lots of details about individual battles and also overall strategies. Very good coverage of both the Eastern and Western theaters. Written in Shelby Foote's typical style, somewhat flourished with descriptions, but factual. Recommended reading for Civil War buffs.
4453972
Dr McMillan has done a great service to Civil War historians in particuliar and American historians in general with this book.  Though an older book, it still is the best survey of a Confderate state's experiences on the home front both before and during the Civil War.  He relied heavily on the state archives in Montgomery to furnish much of his information.  There are numerous first person accounts in his book along with much information from the state of Alabama (various offical/wartime papers).

He recounts Governor Moore's manuevering prior to the Lincoln inaugaration to place Alabama on the side of the seccessionists.  This he did despite a considerable minority,(if not majority)of the population wanting to conduct a wait and see first on the election, then on any Lincoln moves towards the South.  He froze the specie (metal monies) in state banks, purchased firearms, and before the election sent troops to help seize Federal posts in Florida.  The history of the three wartime Governors alone makes this an interesting read.

The story shows almost 1/4 of the state(northern part and coastal regions)becoming a home to then thousands of deserters from Confederate service who joined up with local Unionists to make Confederate control of the areas at best weak.  Picture the Confed homefront that was portrayed in the movie Cold Mtn for some clues of the abuse and lawlessness

Deserters, starving civilians, embittered Unionists, battling guerillas from both sides, a crumbling infrastructure, all are written of here.  It is a story that few know or even want to know anymore.  The Solid South is shown, at least in Alabama, to have never been very solid and before the war's end to not even exist....
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.
1126816
This book offers rare insight and perspective on the Civil War--the battle scenes, in particular, are both vibrant and poignant and are brought to life by author D. Reid Ross.  This is an excellent and informative read for anyone interested in this chaotic period of American history.
2525553
Author Michael Hardy brings another excellent work to the table. Hardy is by all means a true historian and excellent researcher. As with any outstanding historical research it includes many photos of the people he discusses along with several photos of battle flags and historical markers. The war in Western North Carolina was a Civil War within the greater Civil War, and Watauga County felt the brunt. Kill or be killed was a daily part of life. One could not trust his neighbors or anyone else, and the tide changed as each army tried to subdue the area. Throw in the deserters, thieves, bushwhackers, and escaped prisoners trying to get back north, and you have life in Watauga County.
Hardy brings new life to the tragedy and trauma faced daily by the inhabitants of this region. He brings the daily trials of these people to the forefront as only a master storyteller can do. The chapters are divided starting with each year 1861-62-63-63-65, then moves into the life of the Johnny Rebs, reconstruction, remembering Watauga Countys Civil War, Watauga Countys Unionists, and has a wonderful appendix: Looking for Watauga Countys Civil War Soldiers Today.
This book is highly recommended for those interested in what was happening in the mountain regions of North Carolina and even into East Tennessee. This region is a place where loyalty changed as often as the direction of the wind. People in the north like to say the wars over, get over it, this book will however, reveal why the scars are still there, and why Watauga County is still not over it. This book belongs on every Civil War enthusiasts bookshelf.
4948061
Having taught American History in the public schools for a number of years, I have found a plethora of information on Civil War and ALL the areas of action and interest.  But teaching in classroom with time constraints, limits the amount of time my classes can remain on these subjects.  I have attempted to find sources and readable materials that address the main concepts of the Civil War, but the diversity of information available on the conflict has made this extremely difficult.  That is why I was so happy to discover and read The American War: A History of the Civil War by Gary Gallagher and Joan Waugh.  This book is a fantastic read and study of this crucial period in American History.
Their written effort flows through the various topics and areas of interests during the Civil War Era.  I found myself devouring the pages of The American War and always getting to the end of the page and then moving on with just one more page.  Like the great works when you the reader wants to know what happens next.  The great writing in this single volume work on the Civil War kept me focused and engaged on the material at hand, as it will my students in the classroom.
Along with being a great read The American War is very detail oriented and substantive, so much so that I and my students can learn about the intricacies of this conflict by reading this work.  Gallagher and Waugh do this through effective use of primary sources throughout the book, as they skillfully intertwine the sources with the dialogue of the book.  I have found that students can understand and learn difficult topics through reading the words of participants, and The American War comes through wonderfully in this matter.
Their writing is very detailed and the areas the authors covered are very diverse and inclusive as they examine the events leading to the Civil War through the controversial and violent era of Reconstruction, from both a Union and Confederate perspective.  As in most traditional histories of the Civil War the military and political sides of the conflict are examined.  The authors expertly cover this area of the conflict, but they do not stop there, as the articulate the impact of the war on various groups, such as citizen soldiers, African Americans and women, and conversely their impact on the nation.
Considering all this, I highly recommend The American War:  A History of the Civil War by Gary Gallagher and Joan Waugh for my colleagues in the classroom or any person who wants a highly detailed and yet summary look at the Civil War and the issues the nation faced during this conflict.  Gallagher and Waugh not only hit a home run with their effort, they brought it all home with a grand slam effort!!
2124907
A good summary of forgotten, turbulent, violent times.  The book focuses on notable events associated with three key colonial areas: New England, Carolina, and Pennsylvania. There is excellent background regarding the existing Native American cultures before contact with Europeans. The stories and details are excellent - I am continually amazed at how much we do know about that era.

I was looking for a modern treatment of the frontier experience in Pennsylvania, and I got it. The players, all converging toward the prize of the 'forks of the Ohio' (now Pittsburgh), were Pennsylvania, Virginia, the French with strong Indian support, and even Connecticut, which was settling the Wyoming Valley of Pennsylvania.

As a relative newcomer to historical reading, I would appreciate a bit more chronological and geographical help. This could be in the form of tables or maps, showing areas of influence or settlement, perhaps in snapshots such as you might see in a historical atlas.  I found myself using one or even two maps on hand while reading this book.