James M. McPherson





James M. McPherson

Author profile


born
in Valley City, North Dakota, The United States
October 11, 1936

gender
male

genre


About this author

James M. McPherson (born October 11, 1936) is an American Civil War historian, and is the George Henry Davis '86 Professor Emeritus of United States History at Princeton University. He received the Pulitzer Prize for Battle Cry of Freedom, his most famous book. He was the president of the American Historical Association in 2003, and is a member of the editorial board of Encyclopædia Britannica.

Born in Valley City, North Dakota, he graduated from St. Peter High School, and he received his Bachelor of Arts at Gustavus Adolphus College (St. Peter, Minnesota) in 1958 (from which he graduated magna cum laude), and his Ph.D. at Johns Hopkins University in 1963. Currently he resides in Princeton, New Jersey, and is married with one child.


Average rating: 4.21 · 14,411 ratings · 1,193 reviews · 121 distinct works · Similar authors
Battle Cry of Freedom: The ...
4.36 of 5 stars 4.36 avg rating — 8,380 ratings — published 1988 — 19 editions
Tried by War: Abraham Linco...
4.01 of 5 stars 4.01 avg rating — 1,536 ratings — published 2008 — 13 editions
For Cause and Comrades: Why...
4.03 of 5 stars 4.03 avg rating — 580 ratings — published 1997 — 5 editions
Crossroads of Freedom: Anti...
3.83 of 5 stars 3.83 avg rating — 521 ratings — published 2002 — 14 editions
Hallowed Ground: A Walk at ...
4.1 of 5 stars 4.10 avg rating — 415 ratings — published 2003 — 6 editions
Abraham Lincoln: A Presiden...
3.77 of 5 stars 3.77 avg rating — 391 ratings — published 2010 — 6 editions
Abraham Lincoln and the Sec...
by
4.03 of 5 stars 4.03 avg rating — 229 ratings — published 1983 — 5 editions
Ordeal by Fire: The Civil W...
by
4.01 of 5 stars 4.01 avg rating — 235 ratings — published 1981 — 10 editions
This Mighty Scourge: Perspe...
4.18 of 5 stars 4.18 avg rating — 194 ratings — published 2007 — 13 editions
What They Fought for, 1861-...
3.73 of 5 stars 3.73 avg rating — 153 ratings — published 1994 — 4 editions
More books by James M. McPherson…

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“Lincoln said of the Know Nothings, "Our progress in degeneracy appears to me to be pretty rapid. As a nation, we began by declaring that 'all men are created equal.' We now practically read it 'all men are created equal, except negroes.' When the Know-Nothings get control, it will read 'all men are created equal, except negroes, and foreigners, and catholics.' When it comes to this I should prefer emigrating to some country where they make no pretence of loving liberty - to Russia, for instance, where depotism can be taken pure, and without the base alloy of hypocrisy.”
James M. McPherson, Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era

Polls

59810
American Civil War - Military Series Selection




Recently, the History Book Club conducted a Military Series Poll. The reason that we did this was because we are launching a Military Series of book discussions similar to how we conduct the Presidential Series at the HBC.

The American Civil War received the most votes from the group membership. Therefore, the first Military Series discussion will focus on the American Civil War.

Therefore we are now voting for the first Military Series selection from books which were all nominated by group members. Killer Angels was already completed by the group so that book was not added to the list for voting purposes. Just as an FYI: this poll took me forever to put together because there were so many group member suggestions and recommendations. We wanted to make sure that we included "all of them". That is why this poll is so long.

So take your time and make sure to vote; because if a book does not get at least one vote; it will be relegated to the bottom of the list. The book which garners the most votes and comes out on top will be discussed beginning in February 2012. Bryan Craig will be the Assisting Moderator leading this book discussion.

Choose and vote for one book. Vote as soon as possible because the first book will be launched in February. Don't lose out.

Note:

If you do not see your favorite book about the American Civil War on this list; then just comment or pop me a note and I will immediately add it to this poll.

You can always change your vote at any time; so nothing is lost. There are some books which have been nominated by the same author; however, skip over those if the particular author does not suit you and vote for your favorite or for one you or others might want to read.

Before making your selection, please try to look up your choice and make sure it really is a book you are interested in or you think others would be; do not be lured in by the title. Also, check out the author and what others have said about the book before you (reviewers who you trust). Then of course, make your selection.

And if you do not see your favorite, just contact me and I will add it to the poll.

Regards,

Bentley

 
  35 votes, 20.0%

 
  24 votes, 13.7%

 
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  8 votes, 4.6%

 
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  6 votes, 3.4%

 
  6 votes, 3.4%

The Last Full Measure by Jeff ShaaraJeff Shaara - This book was just recommended by a group member. It is the third book in a trilogy which began with the bestseller Killer Angels. In the same vein, this is an historical novel/fiction account - not non fiction but if anything like Killer Angels -- impeccably done.

The Last Full Measure
 
  5 votes, 2.9%

 
  5 votes, 2.9%

Lincoln by Gore VidalGore Vidal - This is an historical fiction selection

Lincoln.
 
  4 votes, 2.3%

 
  4 votes, 2.3%

 
  4 votes, 2.3%

 
  3 votes, 1.7%

 
  3 votes, 1.7%

 
  3 votes, 1.7%

 
  3 votes, 1.7%

 
  3 votes, 1.7%

 
  3 votes, 1.7%

 
  2 votes, 1.1%

 
  2 votes, 1.1%

 
  2 votes, 1.1%

The Training Ground  Grant, Lee, Sherman, and Davis in the Mexican War, 1846-1848 by Martin DugardMartin Dugard
- This is not related to the Civil War but to the time earlier in history when they fought together as brothers in the Mexican War.

The Training Ground: Grant, Lee, Sherman, and Davis in the Mexican War, 1846-1848
 
  2 votes, 1.1%

 
  2 votes, 1.1%

 
  2 votes, 1.1%

 
  2 votes, 1.1%

 
  1 vote, 0.6%

The Battle Of The Wilderness, May 5-6, 1864 by Gordon C. RheaGordon C. Rhea - This book was just recommended by a group member.

The Battle Of The Wilderness, May 5-6, 1864
 
  1 vote, 0.6%

 
  1 vote, 0.6%

 
  1 vote, 0.6%

 
  0 votes, 0.0%

 
  0 votes, 0.0%

 
  0 votes, 0.0%

 
  0 votes, 0.0%

 
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  0 votes, 0.0%

 
  0 votes, 0.0%

 
  0 votes, 0.0%

Covered With Glory  The 26th North Carolina Infantry at Gettysburg by Rod Gragg - This is another latecomer nominated by a group member.

Covered With Glory: The 26th North Carolina Infantry at Gettysburg
 
  0 votes, 0.0%

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