Marching to Appomattox: The Footrace That Ended the Civil War

by Ken Stark

We always hear about how wars start, but how they end can be just as fascinating. That is certainly the case with America's Civil War. After the fall of Richmond, Robert E. Lee and his Confederate troops were racing toward North Carolina for supplies and reinforcements. Ulysses S. Grant's Union troops were determined to stop them. Both sides were certain they would prevail, yet after fighting with all his heart and soul, Lee surrendered at Appomattox Court House. What made him do that? Find out how geography, luck, perseverance, and compassionate diplomacy by Lee, Grant, and Abraham Lincoln combined to change the course of our nation's history.
 

Genres: History

48 pages, Hardcover

First published January 22, 2009

Reviews

[James Crawford]

This is a very interesting book since it goes into the details behind Appomattox. Most know about how Appomattox saw the surrender of Robert E. Lee and his forces, but there was a lot that went on before that. Basically, Lee was trying to get his Army to safety where it could join up with other Southern forces and continue to fight against the North.

Grant, leading the Union forces, was just as determined to stop Lee from doing that. He drove his men quite hard, getting them to march as fast as they could so that they could cut off any route that Lee would try to take to get away. The book has a sort-of map that shows where the forces were going. It also has a lot of very well done artwork.

The story is really interesting, especially with the details filled in.

[Shelly♥]

Excellent book describing the final days of the Army of Northern Virginia as it attempts to escape from Grant and the Union Army. Watched Ken Burns's documentary and this lines right up with it as far as events. The story is told in a day by day account, and emphasizes the honor and respect the soldiers had for one another - even if they didn't believe in the others cause.

Loved the artwork as well as some of the small details in this book. Highly recommend for elementary aged children.

[The Reading Countess]

I originally checked this new school library book out with intentions of handing it over to our social studies teacher, but my love of history drew me in. The fanciful artwork and simply stated text, coupled with extraordinary quotes from those who were there make the young reader (the intended audience, not me) think history is cool.
It is, isn't it?

[Phoebe]

Looks a great deal like a picture book with full color drawings and not very much text, so perhaps kids will pick it up. Highlights a specific point in the Civil War--how it ended, an interesting topic that deserves some attention in kids' nonfiction. Very readable.

[Beth Thames]

This book does an excellent job of sowing both sides of the war. I liked the gentlemanly conduct of the Generals.