Battle Cry of Freedom: Volume 1: The Civil War Era

by James M. McPherson

James M. McPherson, professor emeritus of U.S. history at Princeton, is one of the foremost scholars of the Civil War. In this informative and meticulously researched masterpiece, he clarifies the differing ways of life and philosophy that led to this shattering conflict. Abraham Lincoln wondered whether "in a free government the minority have the right to break up the government." Jefferson Davis felt "forced to take up arms" to guarantee his states' rights. McPherson merges the words of these men and other political luminaries, housewives, and soldiers from both armies with his own concise analysis of the war to create a story as compelling as any novel. Battle Cry of Freedom vividly traces how a new nation was forged when a war both sides were sure would amount to little dragged for four years and cost more American lives than all other wars combined.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Civil War, American History, Audiobook, American

Audio CD

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

James M. McPherson, Ph.D. (Johns Hopkins University, 1963; B.A., Gustavus Adolphus College (St. Peter, Minnesota), 1958) is an American Civil War historian, and the George Henry Davis '86 Professor Emeritus of United States History at Princeton University. He received the Pulitzer Prize for Battle Cry of Freedom, his most famous book. He was the president of the American Historical Association in 2003, and is a member of the editorial board of Encyclopædia Britannica.

Reviews

[Guy Priel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hands down, one of my favorite authors of the Civil War era. This was one of the best I have read by him. There are other books in the series.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I agree with the esteemed scholar and former male model Matt Suder when he says this should be required reading in school. However, I only listened to volume one and not the entire thing. It's just a personal preference. I don't like reading about military battles. I care more about the social and political aspects that led to the Civil War. I challenge anyone to read this and still think that the Civil War wasn't about slavery. "But Joe, it was about state's rights!"

Wrong! It was about one state right, slavery. Name me another right! I know that some accuse Republicans of simply using this issue as a partisan way to get more votes and to that I say, great! They were doing politics right! I don't care what rationale Lincoln had to use to get those racist white bastards to give up slavery so long as it worked.

[Lulukins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting deep dive in the Civil War! I definitely learned a lot and would recommend it to anyone interested in this time period.

This first volume starts with a lot of background information on what led to the war. A lot of political machinations and complex relationships riddled with the issue of slavery. The feeling of the situation prior to the outbreak of war feels very similar to today's political climate. Makes you wonder if a second civil war is inevitable.

[Rick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very comprehensive discussion of the causes of the Civil War. This includes economic, political, and social causes. Tempers were high and inaction as much as action led to the war. Battlefield decisions and command decisions are discussed in the book. It is worth the time to read if you are interested in the Civil War.

[Douglas Grion Filho · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really in depth historical account of the leading up and beginnings of the civil war. Very well researched and incredibly written. Dont want to say too much about it because there is still volume two to get through, but so far i get why this has become such a holy grail of history books.

[Kyle Brennan · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you only read one book on the American Civil War during your lifetime, make it this one.

[Debbie Ginsberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first part of this book is excellent and then it bogs down in a lot of military battles, ignoring what's going on elsewhere for the most part.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got exactly what I wanted to from this book. The War for Southern Independence began many years before 1861. The author did an amazing job of setting up the mood of the country and even breaking it down to different areas such as 'the border states' and the 'lower South'. After finishing I reflected back and now understand how different flash points kept stacking up and setting moods for the coming apocalypse. I would have quickly put this book away had it been slanted toward the northern viewpoint. The South was forced into a war that they could not win without foreign recognition and intervention. The tipping point is when Lincoln called for 75,000 troops.

[Michael Nash · Rating 5 out of 5]

McPherson's Battle Cry of Freedom is a classic of narrative history. It has a lot of the same problems scope that any general history might have, but McPherson overcomes those limitations with an Annales school-esque attention to detail. He has a strong voice throughout, which is never undermined by the author pretending to be objective or refusing to take sides. The first half, at least, was very good.

[Don Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

First half was fascinating and illuminating about the background political issues leading into the Civil War. Our repeated attempts to take over Cuba and Mexico. The central role slavery played couched either as Freedom or property rights.

The second half was descriptions of battles with some explanation of characters and such but not enough on why or so what.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

First rate one-volume history of the Civil War. I listened to the recording, which is excellent, but then bought the book because I wanted to read some parts again.

[John Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hugely insightful and well written telling of the events leading up to the Civil War.

[Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent history.