The Civil War: A Concise Account by a Noted Southern Historian

by Grady McWhiney, John C. Waugh (Foreword), Donald S. Frazier (Introduction)

For nearly half a century, Grady McWhiney has stood in the foremost ranks of Civil War historians, receiving numerous honors and helping prepare a new generation of historians to carry on the task of understanding and interpreting the Civil War. Here, McWhiney presents a concise narrative that, says fellow historian John C. Waugh, "is comprehensive but still sings."

Says Eugene "Grady McWhiney provides a responsible, judicious, well-balanced guide to the principal issues and personalities of America's most painful period." McWhiney's book, he suggests, "is a corrective to prevalent textbook biases and deserves wide classroom use."

William C. Davis adds, "The Civil War is not designed to be the last word on the experience and the era, but it contains virtually all of the first words needed to give a reader a considerable familiarity in a remarkably short time."

The Civil War stands on its own as a supplemental text or a quick read, but it also is a natural companion to 20 Good Reasons to Study the Civil War by John C. Waugh, published last year by McWhiney Foundation Press and available in paperback.

Genres: Civil War, History

144 pages, Paperback

First published December 15, 2005

Reviews

[Clinton · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book may be okay for someone with a very casual interest in the Civil War that does not wish to put in any effort to learn about it. At less than 150 small pages with an above average size font, this is just too skimpy to be taken seriously. Most of the major battles get just a single paragraph to explain the whole campaign. The first half of the book deals with events that led up to the war and does a fairly decent job of summarizing the causes. However, the Lost Cause bias comes through plainly ("War for Southern Independence").

I cannot recommend this book for any Civil War buff and provide a tepid recommendation for others.

[Backoff51 · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book. Unlike most other Civil War books, this one focuses more on the sites and the players involved in important events as opposed to focusing on the battles.

McWhiney does a fine job of highlighting the key and important issues that had to be addressed.

The overwhelming advantages that belonged to the Federals are fully defined as is the strength of the Confederate forces as they prolonged the war for years, not for months.

A quick read. Only 137 pages. Well worth your time.

[Lee Button · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Summary of the major events. A consistent view of both sides.

[Ashley Mayer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Civil War: A Concise Account by a Noted Southern Historian is a great quick-read! This book is very easy-to-read, and is perfect for anyone that wants some basic knowledge of the Civil War. It's a small book, so it's not very indepth, but it has all the really important causes, battles, and generals of the war.

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great Civil War book for only containing 142 pages. This condensed version of the Civil War still hits many of the major points with the years leading up to the conflict and the bloody years of war itself. For its brevity, this book is really, really good.