The American Civil War: Day by Day

by Philip R.N. Katcher

The American Civil War was a turning point in the evolution of the world's most successful nation and, as such, is profusely studied beyond the US as well as within it. The war accounted for 650,000 lives and this is just one of a myriad of statistics that accompany such major this excellent reference work provides all the data required for a complete study of the action and does so in a logical, compact and convenient style. The author's carefully devised information is presented in a manner and style that aids widespread use by students, historians and researchers at all levels and may well become the most valuable reference source on their library shelves. In sequence with future volumes in this series the contents are set out Introduction, Reasons for War, Chronology, The Participants, The Combatant Forces, Weapons and Equipment, and Aids to Further Study. In addition, tables of statistics feature throughout the book that also includes illustrations and maps.

Genres: Civil War, Nonfiction, History, Own, War, Military History

192 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Phililp Katcher has written over 20 titles in the Men-at-Arms Series including the highly successful five-volume set on Armies of the American Civil War.

Reviews

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a Civil War novice such as myself, I'd say this book is a very handy reference. Everybody knows of Gettysburg, and I could've ticked off another half-dozen or so battles. Beyond that, I knew there were more battles, skirmishes, etc., but I never would've believed the insane amount this book revealed.

I can't say that this book really makes for a good "read", unless you're some kind of CW junkie. It's just way too many facts to hold onto from a single read-through. But I will like knowing I have this in the future - again, it'll be a handy reference.

[Jenny Karraker · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderfully concise but thorough telling of the events of the Civil War. The battle descriptions were short, but told the main details. The chronological order helped me follow what was happening, though often I had to look ahead a few days to see how long the battle actually lasted. What I found especially interesting (for a person with ADD) were all the extras-- paintings, photos, maps, illustrations of equipment, etc that gave a very broad view of the whole aura of the war.

[Bookluvr7 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loving the Civil War I thought this would be a great addition to the knowledge I already know. And I was correct. However, I do think that there were a couple of errors throughout it and I wish he went into a bit more detail about the bigger wars that occurred. But I did like how it focused on not just North and South soldiers, but it mentioned Indian Battles and Naval battles and what the economy was like and the politics. Overall, a great day by day detail of the Civil War. 4/5 stars.

[George W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found it to be a good book for a listing of the lessor known skirmishes and small battles that are not covered in the popular histories by leading Civil War historians.
You don’t get a lot of detail in these, but the book gives you a sense of just how busy the armies were, while the longer major battles took place.
It had one minor error I found. Said J.E.B Stuart was killed in the battle for Richmond, IIRC it was actually Yellow Tavern. For a book that details most of the lesser battles that surprised me. I was not impressed by the editor of this book to put it mildly.
Battle KIA, wounded, and captured numbers are mostly round numbers, I would take them at face value.
For a novice civil war buff the author could have had better detail on the officers names. For instance he lists G.K. Warren in a late war battle. This is the same Gouverneur K. Warren who was at Gettysburg and realized the importance of Little Round top. On the plus side he does try to identify who is Confederate and who is Union fairly well.
The battle maps included are very primitive at best. There is an Index of several pages to aide in looking up names or events. There is no bibliography however.
The book as its name implies follows a chronological time line of the war. It devotes a full half page of brief biography of many of the officers involved in the major battles.
The book briefly lists some of the politics of the war, has some political cartoons, and a good deal of battle pictures and sketches.
Some brief mentions of naval engagements.
I didn’t expect this book of 198 pages to have much of a detailed description of the battles, strategies, biographies so I wasn’t disappointed. I bought the book used at a good price.

[Joel Foster · Rating 1 out of 5]

A quick read of the forward of this book will make the serious student of this period throw this book down.The authors comments about Southerners and the causes of the war are absurd and unfactual.He is very biased,and his bio is unimpressive.

[Cary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, a really good "reference guide" to the war. However, Katcher should never use this editor again. It was a train-wreck from the start, and for that reason it doesn't get a '5'.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book with lots of photos and details.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book -- Chronological in arrangement, this book provides a lot of sidebar stories about generals and other items pertinent to the war.

[Hunter · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an entertaining book about the civil war.The book showed way more detail than any other book I have read about the civil war.