Struggle for a Vast Future: The American Civil War

by Aaron Sheehan-Dean (Editor)

Tearing apart a nation founded on ideals of liberty and union, the American Civil War saw some of the most bitter and bloody fighting that humankind has witnessed. Twelve eminent historians explore the origins and legacy of this landmark conflict focusing on key themes to provide fresh insights into the nature of the Civil War. Innovation in warfare, espionage, emancipation, personalities of leaders both on and off the battlefield, and the dynamics of a nation at war are amongst the topics covered.

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

272 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Aaron Sheehan-Dean is Fred C. Frey Chair of Southern Studies at Louisiana State University. His previous books include The Civil War: The Final Year Told by Those Who Lived It and Why Confederates Fought: Family and Nation in Civil War Virginia. He is currently editing the Cambridge History of the American Civil War.

Reviews

[Matti Karjalainen]

Aaron Sheehan-Deanin toimittama "Struggle for a Vast Future" (Osprey, 2006) löytyi aikanaan Turun kirjamessujen tarjoushyllystä. Nappasin sen sieltä mukaani, aiheesta kun ei pahemmin löydy suomeksi kirjoitettua tietokirjallisuutta.

USA:n sisällissotaa käsitellään kirjassa kahdentoista eri tekijän toimesta. Artikkelien näkökulmat ja aiheet vaihtelevat sodan syytaustoista ulkovaltojen suhtautumiseen sekä merisodasta vakoiluun. Lienee syytä tunnustaa, etten ole aiheen suurin asiantuntija, joten olisi olisi voinut tehdä hyvää lukea joku yleisesitys aiheesta.

Englannin kielen taitoni osoitti hetkittäin myös rajallisuutensa, enkä ollut aina ihan sinut erikoissanaston kanssa. Kuvitus oli komeaa.

[Richard F]

I enjoyed each essay. They were concise, fact filled and well writtent.

[Manuel]

This book is a very high quality work on many subjects (each with its own chapter) of the American Civil War: causes, consequences, strategic steering, economics, as well as others specifically military, like military intelligence or naval warfare.
What it is not is a narrative of military campaigns and battles.
If you are a professional historian or have an amateur interest of high academic level, this is a very good choice.
If you just like narrative history of military events, this book is not for you.