""The Civil War" by Shelby Foote" Topic

What are the oppinions on Shelby Foote's "The Civil War: A Narrative"? I'm looking for something that is informative and includes a good amount of military history and that is, most important, an interesting read for somebody who is completely new to the subject.
I'm sure some people here read it and I'd be very interested in some oppinions.

I have started reading the first book recently, and i find it a great read.

Well worth reading, especially if you want to learn more about the war.

It is a great work, well worth the purchase price.

To say it is a starting point is under-rating it's value. There is a good deal of detail and narrative in there to supplement the grand strategy.

Clearly, Mr Foote was sympathetic to the Ante-Bellum South but then he was a Southerner. However his personal preferences do not make this an overly biased account.

I would advise you to "snap it up" and spend a long time reading the work.

An excellent read.

The best single volume introduction to the war is "Battlecry of Freedom" by Mc Phearson.

I don't know about his south bias, I got the feeling he had favourite characters both north and south and an affection for both.

Agree with all the above – he is an excellent writer and is, I think, reasonably well balanced as to North v South

He recognises what made Southerners think of themselves as special, but doesn't actually AGREE with them, is my feeling.

In other words he can understand the motivation of these people, but that doesn't mean he buys into it.

A fine read.

Pat

I've gone through it twice and it was well worth it each time.

The narration is interesting. It is clear. It is full of details and never bogs down.

As far as bias goes there may be some pro-southern bias but if there is there is not much. As a fan of the North I think I would have been sensitive to it, and was expecting it, but didn't notice it really.

It is definately a great read and an excellent place to start. It has plenty of depth and detail as well as being a great overview of the war. I would second Battle Cry of Freedom as another great book to read.

Rent or buy the Ken Burns series on the ACW. Shelby Foote figures prominently in the telecast with his commentary and anecdotes. His performance was outstanding and his insights were really informative. I would expect that you would find the same traits in his books as well. He was a good story teller and I could have listened to him for hours on end.

I was looking for a Foote audiobook to entertain me whilst painting and with all the positive comments I'll get the first part and give it a try.
Thanks!

It's a very good read, like a cool drink on a hot day. Some of his research may be dated and I do detect a little Southern bias here and there, but well worth it. If you get the 3 volume version it will build up your muscles too.

The books ARE a great read. I also have his audio book on the Gettysburg Campaign which he narrates. If you liked his comments on the PBS show you'll like his audio books.

Thanks,

John

Rent or buy the Ken Burns series on the ACW. Shelby Foote figures prominently in the telecast with his commentary and anecdotes.

I'll second this. Get anything with Shelby Foote in it. He has this odd mannerism that somehow makes him easy to listen to. he is very informative and like others say, he has a balanced approach to the Civil War.

john

Since Foote was a novelist before he became an historian, his account is splendid literature. He's weaker on some facts than a trained historian would be and shows a considerable pro-South bias, but he is well-worth reading. McPherson's Battle Cry is very good and very accurate. I would personally recommend the multi-volume Time-Life series (27 books plus index). Great stuff, great illustrations, and, even after 23 years, the volumes are often the best on their respective subjects.

Foote's is an excellent work. A classic. Second only to Bruce Catton's works. But, of course, very long. (3 huge volumes.)

Should you want a really good 1-volume history of the ACW look for what is called, in paperback, A Short History of the Civil War, by Fletcher Pratt (a wargamer, way back). Last I heard it's still in print, tho the hardback edition (titled Ordeal By Fire) was written back in the 1930s. Some would say his style is overly dramatic, but I loved it. (Or course I was only about 12 when I first read it.) By comparison, McPherson's book is very dry and, I think, over-rated. Catton's This Hallowed Ground is better, but written from the Union standpoint.

I dunno, I love McPherson's book.

Foote's trilogy is one of my favorites. A very good read.

Shelby Foote's work is a fantastic read and, I think, well balanced. I would also read Bruce Catton's Centenial History, 3 Volumes. I think they compliment each other.