A profound and timely examination of the moral underpinnings of the War Between the States
The Civil War was not only a war of armies bu... read full description
reviews
Jan 26, 2011
John
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There ought to be more books of this nature written--moral critiques of wars. Stout does an excellent job of sorting through the history of the march toward war, the conduct of the war, and finally an evaluation of the two sides as peace prevailed. It is clear from the beginning that the North believed the cause of 'Union' was a just one--that secession must be defeated. Nowhere was this evaluated--it was assumed. What an amazing assumption! It is also clear that the radical ideology of abo
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Aug 09, 2011
Mark
rated it:
Harry S. Stout's "Moral History of the Civil War" is a story well-told. Alternating between battlefield accounts, secular and religious press coverage, and the sermonizing of countless ministers and chaplains from both North and South, Stout convincingly demonstrates how the Civil War was the "fulcrum" of American history. All the bloodbaths gave birth to an American Civil Religion which still carries weight to this day.
Stout falls short of calling the Civil War an unjust w More...
Stout falls short of calling the Civil War an unjust w More...
Nov 18, 2009
John
rated it: 
One of the most upsetting books I have ever read. The author is so self-righteous about imposing his morality on the participants in the Civil War.
He fails to recognize that the war was fought in the South so that the damage was in the South. He totally discards the culpability of non-military support to the war and any violence directed toward them.
In the end he equates the "moral" lapses of the war makers, especially in the North, to Hitler and likens Sherma More...
He fails to recognize that the war was fought in the South so that the damage was in the South. He totally discards the culpability of non-military support to the war and any violence directed toward them.
In the end he equates the "moral" lapses of the war makers, especially in the North, to Hitler and likens Sherma More...
Jan 30, 2012
Bob
rated it:
It seems like war is a defining in every American generation. My father was part of the Greatest Generation fighting in the European Theater during WW2. For me, it was hoping that Richard Nixon would wind down the Vietnam war before my number came up in the lottery. For my son, it has been the post 9/11 wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Perhaps no war has been more defining in the American Experience than the Civil War--in the loss of lives, the end of slavery, the death of Lincoln, Reco More...
Perhaps no war has been more defining in the American Experience than the Civil War--in the loss of lives, the end of slavery, the death of Lincoln, Reco More...
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Jul 28, 2010
Janet
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Teaching the Civil War has always been a dilemma for me as it is difficult to argue that war is never the right choice when this particular war ended slavery. In "Upon the Altar of the Nation," Stout gives me a new perspective by arguing that the horrific bloodshed was a result of an emerging civic religion that both justified the destruction and demanded it as a baptism of blood, a demand the generals of both sides seemed willing to meet (except McClellan). Rarely, as Stout points
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Oct 20, 2008
Scott
rated it: 
Excellent. Finally a book on the Civil War that looks at history of it from start to finish not just as names and dates, nor a romanticized view of knights in shining armor dying for hearth and home. Harry S. Stout takes a hard look at both the promenint names, the rank and file, and finally those on the homefront of both sides. He manages to untwist the years of 'lost cause' mentality of the south and the 'crusaders' of the north to paint a portrait of what really happened in this country a hun
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Nov 17, 2011
Dan
rated it:
This was the first Civil War history I have ever read and I was surprised by 1) the unquenchable thirst for blood evidenced by the actions of both sides 2) the enthusiasm for the war expressed by "men of God/peace" and 3) the total devotion to the cause of each side when other men from the same area sometimes were diametrically opposed.
Jul 26, 2011
Gorgeously phrased, as I expected from a Yale theologian, with troops advancing at Cold Harbor "in lockstep madness," West Point as the "first seminary of American Civil Religion," although I seemed to have already been disabused of the beloved myths about the Civil War he kept promising to demolish.
Oct 05, 2010
Kaci
rated it: 
A unique history of the entire war, focusing on the way in which it was fought and perceived by those at home. There are some problematic areas where Stout fails to fully analyze key issues such as the Emancipation Proclamation and the lack of proportionality in the presses. The book also reads more like a religious history instead of a moral one at times. Nevertheless, a thought-provoking work.
Aug 07, 2009
David
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Probably the best Civil War book I've ever read although the conclusion that the sacrifice of blood was ultimately redemptive left something to be desired.
Sep 19, 2011
Stefan
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If you're interested in Civil Religion in America this book touches nicely on the topic.
Jul 08, 2010
Matthew
rated it:
generally, a quick read and quite interesting. there's something, however, "off" about it and I'm not sure I can put my finger on it. It's not so much a "history" as a Jeremiad, much like the ones Stout himself chronicles in the book. His observations on how the Civil War created the image of the US as a "Christian nation" are fascinating but he then makes a leap (which I don't understand) that the war created "civil religion." Isn't that just Christian
Jul 25, 2007
Tiffany
rated it:
An honest look at the conduct of individuals/communities involved in the Civil War. Stout raises some interesting parallels between the Civil War and the Iraqi "War." In particular, the failure of our generation to question the conduct of society and individuals "at war." A rich discourse supported by solid and arresting research.
Aug 06, 2007
JD
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I just never understood this book. The cover says "a moral history of the Civil War" and I was all excited. Instead, the book careened into religious reactions to the war and pulpit recordings of ten thousand and one priest and reverends. This book, if anything, reinforces my will of finishing a book no matter how bad.
Oct 25, 2007
Robert
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Both the South and the North claimed God's blessing for their side. Great analysis of the misuse of religion.
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