| Pictors Studio | 09 May 2016 5:45 a.m. PST |
The best I've read is Shelby Foote. It is multi-volume but you are well rewarded by reading it. According to some it has some details in it which are no longer thought to be accurate, which I can't confirm, but the narrative is so well flowing and it is so comprehensive that you will be compelled to finish it. |
| Wackmole9 | 09 May 2016 5:55 a.m. PST |
John Keegen's Civil war book was good. |
| vtsaogames | 09 May 2016 6:40 a.m. PST |
My favorite one-volume is still McPherson's "Battle Cry of Freedom". Shelby Foote's trilogy has been condensed into one Volume?
News to me. Hefting his hard cover trilogy built up my biceps. |
| Toronto48 | 09 May 2016 9:25 a.m. PST |
Another vote for McPherson's "Battle Cry of Freedom" |
| Rudysnelson | 09 May 2016 11:43 a.m. PST |
A hard choice since some readers like to follow personalities and others like to cover campaigns and battles.
I have several day by day books that focus on each day's events.
Another choice might be the four volume set of battles and leaders which is an old but good series. |
| Jeigheff | 09 May 2016 3:21 p.m. PST |
The Time Life ACW series was pretty good, in my opinion. |
| Old Contemptibles | 09 May 2016 3:35 p.m. PST |
I would recommend these: "The American Heritage Short History of the Civil War" by Bruce Catton – This was one of two textbooks for The Civil War class I took in college. It is a concise well written history of the whole war and is perfect for a newbie. link Bruce Catton's Civil War Trilogy – Read this in high school. Excellent! link "Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era" by James McPherson. link "Lincoln and His Generals" by T. Harry Williams – This is the other textbook I had for the class I took. link |
| Lucius | 09 May 2016 7:12 p.m. PST |
Another vote for Catton's "Short History of the Civil War". Concise, well-written. As soon as you finish it, you'll want to read Catton's Centenial Trilogy for the rest of the story. |
 Milhouse  | 13 May 2016 8:52 p.m. PST |
I respectfully disagree on Keegan. Which breaks my heart as he is one of my favorites. Numerous mistakes. Even McPherson gently pointed them out in his NYT book review. In my mind he was let down by his editors who rushed to print for the 150th. |
| Milhouse | 13 May 2016 10:51 p.m. PST |
Wait until your halfway through
link |
| 49mountain | 16 May 2016 2:40 p.m. PST |
Agree on Keegan. A shame that this happened to a well respected historian. |
feels it's important to celebrate progress in one's personal hobby life.
