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106th out of 769 books
—
1,037 voters
The Civil War, Vol. 2: Fredericksburg to Meridian (The Civil War #2)
by
Shelby Foote
"This, then, is narrative history—a kind of history that goes back to an older literary tradition.... The writing is superb...one of the historical and literary achievements of our time." —The Washington Post Book World
"Gettysburg...is described with such meticulous attention to action, terrain, time, and the characters of the various commanders that I understand, at last,...more
"Gettysburg...is described with such meticulous attention to action, terrain, time, and the characters of the various commanders that I understand, at last,...more
Paperback, 976 pages
Published
November 12th 1986
by Vintage
(first published 1963)
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Shelby Foote continues to use his great narrative style to full effect in this, his second in the series of Civil War histories. This volume mostly covers the events of 1863, although the books in this series are not designed to start and stop according to precisely equivalent calendar time frames. Volume I ended after the bloodbath of Antietam (Sharpsburg) in the fall of 1862. Volume II takes up with events following the removal of the American commander, George McClellan, and replacement by Ge...more
No drop off at all in volume 2 of the series, and did not disappoint. In fact, the material is pure war topics, without the precursor material found in Volume 1. Foote's narrative style draws me even deeper in, and I'm very fascinated how objective he is, when I was expecting a much more Southern perspective. And still I think Foote offers the Southern side objectively, that I think was probably missing in epic series (i.e. Catton) like this done that were done in his time. LOVED page 719's acco...more
This is the second in a three set history of the Civil War, well written by Shelby Foote. The coverage is from the horrific Union defeat at Fredericksburg in late 1862 to Sherman's raid on Meridian, ending with Ulysses Grant's accession to Lieutenant General.
The following major battles and events are covered here: Fredericksburg, Vicksburg, Gettysburg, Chancellorsville, Brandy Station, Meridian, Murfreesboro (Stone’s River), Chickamauga, Chattanooga, and so on. The warfare became even bloodier t...more
The following major battles and events are covered here: Fredericksburg, Vicksburg, Gettysburg, Chancellorsville, Brandy Station, Meridian, Murfreesboro (Stone’s River), Chickamauga, Chattanooga, and so on. The warfare became even bloodier t...more
I enjoyed this book much more than the first in the series. Admittedly, I was most captivated by the sections on Vicksburg and Gettysburg, with Sherman's rampage to/of Meridian. I'd love to see more detail about Gettysburg, perhaps an animated storyline, showing where/how troops moved and attempted/accomplished what objectives. At Vicksburg I could feel the patience of Grant, and the peril of Pemberton and his besieged army within the city. Additionally, the swath of destruction caused by Sherma...more
Foote's Civil War Volume 2 continues the narrative history of the war--this time focusing on Grant's Vicksburg campaign, Chancellorsville, the Union's musical chairs of the eastern generals, and Chickamauga and the campaign for Chatanooga. There's some great stuff in here including a section on the first submarine used in naval combat which went about as well as you could imagine. There's politics, of course, and Lincoln's Gettysburg address.
Volume 2, like the first, is a testament to Foote's st...more
Volume 2, like the first, is a testament to Foote's st...more
Many of my earlier comments with respect to The Civil War, Vol. 1: Fort Sumter to Perryville apply, although Foote's cultural awareness is clearly developing in response to the height of the Civil Rights movement during which this second volume was written--evident in a wry note of thanks in the Acknowledgments to the governors of Alabama, Mississippi, and Arkansas, whose heavy-handed stances against desegregation helped temper his natural Southern sympathies.
This installment covers the period...more
This installment covers the period...more
Epic read, the best book I've read in 2010. I cared so much about these people, who had previously been stick figures in some horribly dull and bloody war. The war was even bloodier than I remembered, and I grieved with Lee, Lincoln, and Davis as they lost children and friends during its course. Compelling and awesome; I can't recommend it enough.
I did almost quit partway through Volume 3, as I didn't think I could take one more idiot Union general making the same stupid mistakes over and over,...more
I did almost quit partway through Volume 3, as I didn't think I could take one more idiot Union general making the same stupid mistakes over and over,...more
Political:
Jefferson davis’s tour of western theater of army of tenn (bragg) and army of miss (pemberton) in December 1862, overarching goal defense of Mississippi river
Lincoln’s Cabinet battles and neutralizing designs of Chase on higher office, ally in loyalty of Secretary of State Seward
Food shortages in South and Bread Riot in Richmond
Internal dissent in both Union and Confederacy during the war
Lincoln’s plan to re-integrate south with puppet governments whereby 10% of citizenry must swear lo...more
Jefferson davis’s tour of western theater of army of tenn (bragg) and army of miss (pemberton) in December 1862, overarching goal defense of Mississippi river
Lincoln’s Cabinet battles and neutralizing designs of Chase on higher office, ally in loyalty of Secretary of State Seward
Food shortages in South and Bread Riot in Richmond
Internal dissent in both Union and Confederacy during the war
Lincoln’s plan to re-integrate south with puppet governments whereby 10% of citizenry must swear lo...more
Like a lot of shelby’s fans, I was introduced to his work through the Ken Burns' documentary. When I picked up volume one of his narrative, the scope of the thing was a bit intimidating, but after the first 100 pages or so, you become so involved you don’t want to let go. This is quite simply, THE history of the war. There is no stone left unturned. Blow by blow, Foote guides you through the entire War; from the battles (which he often unfolds minute by minute), to the political jockeying, as we...more
I'm finding Shelby Foote's three volume history of the US Civil War a revelation. I didn't know much about the period, especially the campaigns in the west, but Foote uses his novelist's eye for character to sustain interest through battle after battle. In this volume he weaves together the political and military history (although less so the economic and diplomatic) as the Confederacy starts to fade with the fall of Vicksburg and the failure of Lee's second invasion of the north.
This second boo...more
This second boo...more
The interviews with Shelby Foote in Ken Burns' Civil War series were fascinating.
Inspired, a girlfriend, who was from Mississippi, gave me a volume for each
of the next holidays, birthday's etc.
These books read like novels, hard to stop once you get going, even though
yeah we know how it ends.
Can't endorse this series enough. I'll read them again when I have the time.
Mar 13, 2011
Chris Waraksa
is currently reading it
This three volume set focuses mainly on the great men who served as military leaders along with Lincoln and his cabinet and Davis. Very interesting narrative of what happened in the war and of how the personality, character, and circumstances of the key players affected the outcomes. Highly enjoyed both volumes one and two.
Second book of Shelby Foote's 3-part history of the U.S Civil War. Among other things, it covers the siege of Vicksburg and battle of Gettysburg and the social/political aspects of both the North and South throughout the middle years of the war.
Now, obviously, this kind of book isn't really for the casual reader. So if you are very interested in the Civil War, you'll no doubt read it, while if you find history and especially military history super-dull, no doubt you wouldn't touch this book with...more
Now, obviously, this kind of book isn't really for the casual reader. So if you are very interested in the Civil War, you'll no doubt read it, while if you find history and especially military history super-dull, no doubt you wouldn't touch this book with...more
I have never enjoyed reading anything more in my life. This is a Homeric telling of America's 2nd revolution. The author is biased towards the south, and he fails to adequately incorporate the political developments of the time into his account. He also worships the wrong hero: Jefferson Davis rather than Abe Lincoln. But the Civil War is the story of the south more than the north, and its being told by a southern partisan is thus fitting. No one has ever researched a topic more thoroughly. No o...more
A very excellent book and a great way to get introduced to the history of the Civil war. But I don't want to read Vol. 3, I'm afraid it will be too depressing!
The second volume of the three volume series by Shelby Foote. This deals with the battles of Antietam and Gettysburg. This also tells of the naval battles and the first use of the ironclads. It also tells of the Battle of Atlanta and the Tennessee area by Grant and Sherman.
Shelby Foote brings to life the horror and the history of the American Civil War. A great read for history buffs and those interested in the Civil War.
I look forward to one ay turning to this series. Foote undertakes an awesome task and does it well!
Outstanding series! I can't say anything more than has already been said. Enjoyed every minute.
Best Civil War history book I have ever read. Period. Engaging from beginning to end.
Simply the most phenomenal account of the Civil War in existence.
Excellent book about the middle of the Civil War
This trilogy continues to impress. The accounts of the battles of Gettysburg, Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge are particularly noteworthy. Seldom, in the writing of history, do you find this combination of compelling narrative and illuminating detail.
Excellent
YESSSSSS
Reading Shelby Foote is a delight, especially when one has to suffer the bad grammar and poor sentence structure of modern authors. His way with words is quite refreshing.
I took to this book eagerly, after reading the excellent first volume of this trilogy. This one tended to drag in places, which was a bit disappointing. Nevertheless, the narrative of the battle of Gettysburg was peerless.
All told, worth a read. I am looking forward to plowing into volume 3.
I took to this book eagerly, after reading the excellent first volume of this trilogy. This one tended to drag in places, which was a bit disappointing. Nevertheless, the narrative of the battle of Gettysburg was peerless.
All told, worth a read. I am looking forward to plowing into volume 3.
In my opinion, Foote has created a very important, readable, captivating narrative that should be appreciated, and even treasured, by anyone with serious interest in both the American civil war and books. That said, my only serious criticism is that his (pro-South) bias really does damage to these works. There are other issues I could raise, but comparing these works to other major works of military history, I nonetheless highly recommend these books.
excellent!
Nobody can convey the Civil War like Shelby did-Volume 2 is as outstanding as Volume 1..His ability to grasp the major and the minor is superb. One thing that struck me at the end of volume 2 (late winter 1863) is Southern politicians berating Jeff Davis for being a dictator for trying to raise the army. You can only shake your head at the idiots demanding no draft with the walls tumbling down. Gosh, seems familliar today, doesn't it.
Foote's novelistic history of the war is well worth the (considerable) time commitment. There are more scholarly works out there, and there are more readable (shorter) works out there, but I'm not aware of any other book that combine's the exhaustive coverage of the whole war with a novelistic style that keeps you going through the whole, long, dragging misery of the 1860s.
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Shelby Dade Foote, Jr. was an American novelist and a noted historian of the American Civil War, writing a massive, three-volume history of the war entitled The Civil War: A Narrative. With geographic and cultural roots in the Mississippi Delta, Foote's life and writing paralleled the radical shift from the agrarian planter system of the Old South to the Civil Rights era of the New South. Foote wa...more
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Jul 17, 2012 10:38pm