Infinitely readable and absorbing, Bruce Catton Introduced by the critically acclaimed Civil War historian James M. McPherson, The Civil War vividl...
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Mar 05, 2009
Chris
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When I was a kid, my grandparents thought they would do something that every grandparent should do - share what they love with the next generation. They bought me a subscription to the Time-Life series on The Civil War. Now for those of you too young to remember, Time-Life used to publish these monthly book series on various topics. The idea was that you would receive the books once a month, each book on a different topic in the series. My father had the Science Series, which I absolutely ad
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Oct 28, 2010
Chimezie
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A very detailed book about the political motivations for the Civil war and the military maneuvering of it as well. In those respects it does a very excellent job in painting a full picture of things as they were.
There were a few things that I took away from the book that I wasn't very aware of prior to reading it.
1) The emancipation proclamation was not as a result of a moral 'aha' moment that Lincoln had (as much of how it is characterized would have you believe). It was More...
There were a few things that I took away from the book that I wasn't very aware of prior to reading it.
1) The emancipation proclamation was not as a result of a moral 'aha' moment that Lincoln had (as much of how it is characterized would have you believe). It was More...
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Sep 26, 2009
Christian
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Well-written short (~280 pages) introduction to the Civil War, hits on all the important points with enough supporting detail. Obviously won't give you the detail that Battle Cry of Freedom or Foote's 3-volume opus will, but its succinctness makes it easier to track the concurrent happenings of the war (it's tough to remember what Grant's army had done last after 100 pages of reading what's happening in Virginia). The scholarship is a little behind the times (since it was written 50 years ago)
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Aug 08, 2011
I started reading this book on April 12 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the first shots fired on Fort Sumter. Obviously, this account of the Civil War cannot be as detailed as a longer book or multi-volume work would be. However, in a way it is nice to have the entire war covered in one relatively short book so as to develop a good sense of the overall sweep of the war and keep track of what happened in different places at more or less the same time.
I have been a fan of Bru More...
I have been a fan of Bru More...
Jul 30, 2011
The blurb on the back of the book begins "infinitely readable and absorbing . . ." which is a ridiculous sentence. It is thus only grudgingly that I concede its truth. The book provides an engaging account of the war and of other key aspects of the American Civil War era. It is void of specific details, or of extended accounts of any one issue or battle. I think James McPherson's "Battle Cry of Freedom" is the same book as Catton's - but it is a better book, because it goes i
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Jun 23, 2009
Jay
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There is a lot that happens in the Civil War. So, I guess I shouldn't have been surprised that this good, solid overview of the conflict does not go much into the details of the numerous battles - even Gettysburg. I appreciated that the book addresses nearly all aspects of the war: social, political, military, economic, etc.
I bought this as an audio book - I think it will be a good one to go back and listen to again from time to time.
I bought this as an audio book - I think it will be a good one to go back and listen to again from time to time.
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Feb 06, 2012
Vic
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I loved this. It was a great overview of the issues, the battles and people that were a defining moment in our history - on both sides. It is amazing that we were able to forgive each other at the end of it. We owe a lot to the people on both sides that made sure forgiveness was possible.
Aug 12, 2011
Great single-volume treatment of the Civil War. My only complaint was that it moved too fast (understood that a "single volume" has to do that). Will be reading his 3 volume set next to get the detail.
Dec 27, 2010
I am a retard who did not pay attention in high school, so I found this book to be super-edifying. I really had no concept of our Civil War, nor the period that immediately followed. This book is a great overview.
Mar 20, 2011
Courtney
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Decent quick summary of the Civil War. Addresses the Southern perspective equally if not more than the Northern perspective. This was informative and appreciated.
Dec 31, 2010
Jim
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Of course one of the classics in Civil War study. A must read for any serious student of the war and a serious introduction for the casual student or the curious.
Dec 21, 2010
Carlos
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A pretty good introduction for some one like me, that knew very little about the American Civil War at the time.
Aug 03, 2011
Looking forward to reading this and learning more about the civil war. Such a fascinating time period.
Aug 05, 2009
Sue
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Just the portion on Gettysburg, to prepare for an upcoming trip and to fill in the blanks left by the movie.
Oct 29, 2011
Steffi
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Not an very interesting book, but a good source for infomation.
I read it for writing my "Seminararbeit".
I read it for writing my "Seminararbeit".
Sep 06, 2010
Jim
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Jeanette gave this to me for either Christmas or my birthday. Not sure which.
Jan 24, 2010
Cindy
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I found this history very facinating. I missed this unit in school -being a Canadian and all. Very well written.
Dec 26, 2007
Dustin
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This book helped expand my knowledge about the civil war but I thought in the middle, it jumped around to different topics while leaving you wondering about the next battles that were going to take place. I also found so grammatical errors which should fixed before a book is ever published. In all honesty, I thought I would learn more about battles but overall I did learn more about the war than before I started reading it.
Jan 18, 2012
Best book Laura ever made me read. More books about Civil War-era US naval warfare, please.
Jan 02, 2012
Jasmine
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A great, short introduction to the Civil War. Catton examines the politics, economics, and military strategies of the war. The reader is introduced to all the major leading players: presidents, cabinet members, congressmen, generals, and even the ordinary soldiers. Catton shows the wide cultural difference between the North and the South and explains the principles which each side was fighting for.
Apr 24, 2010
Melinda
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Would not finish. "Boring." Don't know if that was narrator or how material was presented. Said to try something else Civil War NF.
Nov 03, 2010
Ross
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At a relatively svelte 275 pages (not counting indices), Catton didn't have space to delve into personalities, personal stories, or battlefield tactics. But based on my limited knowledge of the Civil War, this did seem like a great overview of the high-level social, political, economic, diplomatic, and military aspects of the War. Just in time for the coming Sesquicentennial!
Nov 29, 2009
Jeff
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This is a fairly competent overview of the major events of the civil war. It is well enough written that it is accessible and an easy read.
If you want detail, or thoughtful analysis, this is not the book for you. However, if you just want the events and a book that won't be difficult to follow, go this route.
If you want detail, or thoughtful analysis, this is not the book for you. However, if you just want the events and a book that won't be difficult to follow, go this route.
Oct 08, 2010
Sean
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Great review of the Civil War for those less familiar with it's history.
Dec 02, 2007
Bob
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The book provides a fairly decent overview of the war, but the book is too brief to really engage the reader. Anyone who is familiar with Catton's other works will be disappointed.
Mar 11, 2008
Lisa
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I'll admit it. I'm a complete Civil War nerd. I had heard this book is the gold standard of Civil War books. Eh. I liked "Battle Cry of Freedom" soooooo much better.
May 18, 2008
Leonard
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Catton's one-volume history of the Civil War isn't as accomplished as some other books on the subject -- even by Catton -- but it's a very serviceable overview.
