Any Civil War buffs here?

[LibertarianDude]

I wanted to read more about the Civil War. So if you, if you are a Civil War buff, what books do you recommend, what authors should I read and books and authors should I avoid. Are there good web pages about the Civil War?

Regards

[NascarGirl2448]

Start with The South was Right. Also a terrific biography of General Jeb Stuart called Jeb Stuart: The Last Cavalier. Both are great books to read.

[wayoverthehill]

I recommend the trilogy written by Shelby Foote. Meticulously researched yet very readable. I guarantee these volumes will not put you to sleep.

Vol. 1 - Fort Sumter to Perryville
Vol. 11 - Fredericksburg to Meridian
Vol. 111 - Red River to Appomattox

Shelby Foote was one of the historians in Ken Burn's Civil War film.

Another very good Civil War historian, although many years dead now, is Bruce Catton.

[Spectre]

http://www.amazon.com/Fate-Liberty-Abraham-Lincoln-Liberties/dp/0195080327

The Fate of Liberty: Abraham Lincoln and Civil Liberties by Mark Neely Jr.

This book won the Pulitzer prize.

Read about how Lincoln trashed the US Constitution that he swore to uphold.

[wayoverthehill]

http://www.amazon.com/Fate-Liberty-Abraham-Lincoln-Liberties/dp/0195080327

The Fate of Liberty: Abraham Lincoln and Civil Liberties by Mark Neely Jr.

This book won the Pulitzer prize.

Read about how Lincoln trashed the US Constitution that he swore to uphold.I don't think this is what the OP was looking for but thanks for your irrelevant input.

[ScottFree]

"I'd love to be a Civil War buff. ... What do you have to do to be a buff"

"So Biff wants to be a buff? ... Well sleeping less than 18 hours a day
would be a start."

[Clintville]

Start with The South was Right. Also a terrific biography of General Jeb Stuart called Jeb Stuart: The Last Cavalier. Both are great books to read.
Don't listen to what she says!

[Spectre]

I don't think this is what the OP was looking for but thanks for your irrelevant input.

He asked for books about the Civil War. I mentioned one that won the Pulizer Prize. You said that was irrelevant.

You cant fix stupid.

[NascarGirl2448]

Don't listen to what she says!

Still having a hard time accepting the truth are you??? Not at all surprising. :rolleyes:

[NascarGirl2448]

He asked for books about the Civil War. I mentioned one that won the Pulizer Prize. You said that was irrelevant.

You cant fix stupid.

Yet we keep trying.

[Clintville]

Still having a hard time accepting the truth are you??? Not at all surprising. :rolleyes:
You think the British invaded the South during the Civil War. No one believes you. Spectre and Quantrill don't say anything but they don't believe you either. You have never given any evidence for your claim at all.

[NascarGirl2448]

You think the British invaded the South during the Civil War. No one believes you. Spectre and Quantrill don't say anything but they don't believe you either. You have never given any evidence for your claim at all.

And you've never given any sort of evidence against anything. You've tried, but failed miserably.

[buflineks]

Roland, Charles P. An American Illiad: The Story of the Civil War. Lexington.University Press Kentucky. . 2004

Gienapp, William E. Abraham Lincoln and Civil War America. New York. Oxford University Press. . 2002.

Davis, William C. Look Away!: A history of the Confederate States of America. New York. Free Press.. 2002

Davis William C. The Cause Lost: Myths and Realities of the Confederacy. Lawrence.University of Kansas Press. . 1996

Kirchberger, Joe H. Eyewitness History of the Civil War. New York. Facts on File. 1991.

Just a few that I have on my shelf that I find well written and Informative.

It depends on what you are looking for.

I would personnally suggest staying away from "pop" historians. Willard Klunder has written reviews of several books and I would recommend any book that he has recommended.

again, it all depends on what you are looking for. Are you looking for Scholarly texts? Are you looking for general overview? Are you looking for information on any particular subject?

You also might want to check The Journal of Southern History. They have a long history and if you can get ahold of their archives (JSTOR or some other Database) through your local library, they would probably have an extenisive list on well written, credible, scholarly texts.

[wayoverthehill]

He asked for books about the Civil War. I mentioned one that won the Pulizer Prize. You said that was irrelevant.

You cant fix stupid.No, you used the OP's question as an opportunity to take a totally irrelevant shot at Lincoln.

You're right - you can't fix stupid. It goes hand in hand with being a liberal.

[Clintville]

And you've never given any sort of evidence against anything. You've tried, but failed miserably.
Actually I have. And you are making the claim, so you are supposed to back it up. Your failure to do so is enough to support my claim.

It is true that Britain supported Confederate independence in some ways so it wouldn't make any sense for them to join the Union. And of course, there is no evidence at all of your claims. None. You have failed miserably.

[Quantrill]

Roland, Charles P. An American Illiad: The Story of the Civil War. Lexington.University Press Kentucky. . 2004

Gienapp, William E. Abraham Lincoln and Civil War America. New York. Oxford University Press. . 2002.

Davis, William C. Look Away!: A history of the Confederate States of America. New York. Free Press.. 2002

Davis William C. The Cause Lost: Myths and Realities of the Confederacy. Lawrence.University of Kansas Press. . 1996

Kirchberger, Joe H. Eyewitness History of the Civil War. New York. Facts on File. 1991.

Just a few that I have on my shelf that I find well written and Informative.

It depends on what you are looking for.

I would personnally suggest staying away from "pop" historians. Willard Klunder has written reviews of several books and I would recommend any book that he has recommended.

again, it all depends on what you are looking for. Are you looking for Scholarly texts? Are you looking for general overview? Are you looking for information on any particular subject?

You also might want to check The Journal of Southern History. They have a long history and if you can get ahold of their archives (JSTOR or some other Database) through your local library, they would probably have an extenisive list on well written, credible, scholarly texts.

I would stay away from Davis. Unless your anti-Southern. He may write alot about the South but he is not a friend of the South.

Quantrill

[NascarGirl2448]

Actually I have. And you are making the claim, so you are supposed to back it up. Your failure to do so is enough to support my claim.

It is true that Britain supported Confederate independence in some ways so it wouldn't make any sense for them to join the Union. And of course, there is no evidence at all of your claims. None. You have failed miserably.

Just because you aren't willing to read a book doesn't mean anything to me. I have told you what books to read, yet you refuse.

[Clintville]

Just because you aren't willing to read a book doesn't mean anything to me. I have told you what books to read, yet you refuse.
No you didn't.

[buflineks]

I would stay away from Davis. Unless your anti-Southern. He may write alot about the South but he is not a friend of the South.

Quantrill

Davis is a credible, well respected writer.

In fact he's won 3 "Jefferson Davis Awards" for Southern Histories.

[iamredbeard]

While I am not as knowledgeable or as well read on the period as some of the other posters here I would suggest the Jeff and Michael Sharra books. They are an easy read and quite informative.

A lot of it depends on what you are looking for and keep in mind that just about everyone author has a bias one way or the other on the Civil War.

[buflineks]

I would stay away from Davis. Unless your anti-Southern. He may write alot about the South but he is not a friend of the South.

Quantrill

" Modern Day southern apologists and neo-Confederates are going to hate this book (Look Away!) , as well they should, because it makes a hash of the Lost Cause romanticism."

Dirk, Brian R. "Review: Look Away! A History of the Confederate States of America." The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography. Vol 110 no. 1 (2002) . Virginia Historical Society. p. 107.

[JenyEliza]

We have the Civil War right in our own backyard (literally). Read up on the Battle of Kennesaw, the Battle at Kolb's Farm and Pickett's Mill. Read about Sherman's push to cross the Chattahoochee River and take Atlanta, then march to the sea burning everything in his path.

History lives and breathes around where we live here in GA. As a child, my brother and I used to play in Civil War era trenches that were dug by Confederates lying in wait for Sherman. We found musket balls, belt buckles, a leather holster (partially rotted), socks, and other artifacts we turned over to the National Park Civil War monument at Kennesaw Mountain.

There's lots of interesting reading.....but its even better to examine it up close and in person, and stand in a trench where these men fought and died. Gives ya chill bumps, that's for sure!

Enjoy your research/pleasure reading.

Jen

[Quantrill]

" Modern Day southern apologists and neo-Confederates are going to hate this book (Look Away!) , as well they should, because it makes a hash of the Lost Cause romanticism."

Dirk, Brian R. "Review: Look Away! A History of the Confederate States of America." The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography. Vol 110 no. 1 (2002) . Virginia Historical Society. p. 107.

It only makes hash if its true. There are a lot of books the unreconstructed Southernor hates. And it doesn't take long into the reading to figure them out.

I always found it humourous that the yankee believes he is the only one who can write a history about the South and its people and the war.

P.S. And Davis may have many credits, but he is no friend of the South. And thats why I don't like him cause he makes himself a "Southern" writer. I have many books of the opposing authors. I have no problem with them. Davis is an opposing author in the guise of Southern.

Just think about it. Why else would you recommend him?

Quantrill

[buflineks]

There's lots of interesting reading.....but its even better to examine it up close and in person, and stand in a trench where these men fought and died. Gives ya chill bumps, that's for sure!


Jen

Amen, Jeny.

[iamredbeard]

We have the Civil War right in our own backyard (literally). Read up on the Battle of Kennesaw, the Battle at Kolb's Farm and Pickett's Mill. Read about Sherman's push to cross the Chattahoochee River and take Atlanta, then march to the sea burning everything in his path.

History lives and breathes around where we live here in GA. As a child, my brother and I used to play in Civil War era trenches that were dug by Confederates lying in wait for Sherman. We found musket balls, belt buckles, a leather holster (partially rotted), socks, and other artifacts we turned over to the National Park Civil War monument at Kennesaw Mountain.

There's lots of interesting reading.....but its even better to examine it up close and in person, and stand in a trench where these men fought and died. Gives ya chill bumps, that's for sure!

Enjoy your research/pleasure reading.

Jen

When I was really young my Dad was in college and during that time our family spent a lot of time at "Lookout Mountain" of course I am to young to remember any of that.

[buflineks]

It only makes hash if its true. There are a lot of books the unreconstructed Southernor hates. And it doesn't take long into the reading to figure them out.

I always found it humourous that the yankee believes he is the only one who can write a history about the South and its people and the war.

P.S. And Davis may have many credits, but he is no friend of the South. And thats why I don't like him cause he makes himself a "Southern" writer. I have many books of the opposing authors. I have no problem with them. Davis is an opposing author in the guise of Southern.

Just think about it. Why else would you recommend him?

Quantrill

[bold mine]

And the only "true" history can be written by a "friend of the South"?

Since his book ( as described by the review) is PEER reviewed ( other historians). If he presents something false he will be called on it.

Tell you what, I'm going to make a new thread.
In that thread, I'm going to review his book and you will have ample space with which to "rebutt" his "lies".

See you on that thread.

[JenyEliza]

What I was real young my Dad was in college and during that time our family spent a lot of time at "Lookout Mountain" of course I am to young to remember any of that.

Oh, yeah. There were some famous battles at Lookout Mountain (which is quite rightly named---you can see 7 states from the top of Lookout Mountain, there's no sneaking up on Chattanooga).

Check out the Battle of Chickamauga (GA), just south of Chattanooga. There's a National War Monument there as well. Like I said, history lives and breathes around here.

http://ngeorgia.com/history/

[JohnRandolph]

I wanted to read more about the Civil War. So if you, if you are a Civil War buff, what books do you recommend, what authors should I read and books and authors should I avoid. Are there good web pages about the Civil War?

Regards

MYTHS OF AMERICAN SLAVERY (http://pelicanpub.com/proddetail.asp?prod=1589800478) ISBN: 1589800478

THE SOUTH WAS RIGHT! (http://pelicanpub.com/proddetail.asp?prod=1565540247) ISBN: 1565540247

TO DIE IN CHICAGO Confederate Prisoners at Camp Douglas 1862-65 (http://pelicanpub.com/proddetail.asp?prod=1565543319) ISBN: 1565543319


WAR CRIMES AGAINST SOUTHERN CIVILIANS (http://pelicanpub.com/proddetail.asp?prod=9781589804661&cat=823) ISBN: 9781589804661


WAS JEFFERSON DAVIS RIGHT? (http://pelicanpub.com/proddetail.asp?prod=156554370X&cat=823) ISBN: 156554370X

The Real Lincoln: A New Look at Abraham Lincoln, His Agenda, and an Unnecessary War (Paperback) by Thomas DiLorenzo (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?%5Fencoding=UTF8&sort=relevancerank&search-type=ss&index=books&field-author=Thomas%20DiLorenzo)

Destruction and Reconstruction: by General Richard Taylor
(available as a free downloadable book at http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/23747 )

[iamredbeard]

[bold mine]

And the only "true" history can be written by a "friend of the South"?

Since his book ( as described by the review) is PEER reviewed ( other historians). If he presents something false he will be called on it.

Tell you what, I'm going to make a new thread.
In that thread, I'm going to review his book and you will have ample space with which to "rebutt" his "lies".

See you on that thread.

The sad truth is that many people look at history and will only accept the version that the agree with.

[iamredbeard]

Oh, yeah. There were some famous battles at Lookout Mountain (which is quite rightly named---you can see 7 states from the top of Lookout Mountain, there's no sneaking up on Chattanooga).

Check out the Battle of Chickamauga (GA), just south of Chattanooga. There's a National War Monument there as well. Like I said, history lives and breathes around here.

http://ngeorgia.com/history/

Well I live way away from that now. I am familiar with the battle of Chickamauga. I never remember seeing it although I probably saw it in my youth. I would like to plan a trip down south and go see that battlefield along with Shiloh and Vicksburg.

[iamredbeard]

MYTHS OF AMERICAN SLAVERY (http://pelicanpub.com/proddetail.asp?prod=1589800478) ISBN: 1589800478

THE SOUTH WAS RIGHT! (http://pelicanpub.com/proddetail.asp?prod=1565540247) ISBN: 1565540247

TO DIE IN CHICAGO Confederate Prisoners at Camp Douglas 1862-65 (http://pelicanpub.com/proddetail.asp?prod=1565543319) ISBN: 565543319


WAR CRIMES AGAINST SOUTHERN CIVILIANS (http://pelicanpub.com/proddetail.asp?prod=9781589804661&cat=823) ISBN: 9781589804661


WAS JEFFERSON DAVIS RIGHT? (http://pelicanpub.com/proddetail.asp?prod=156554370X&cat=823) ISBN: 156554370X

The Real Lincoln: A New Look at Abraham Lincoln, His Agenda, and an Unnecessary War (Paperback) by Thomas DiLorenzo (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?%5Fencoding=UTF8&sort=relevancerank&search-type=ss&index=books&field-author=Thomas%20DiLorenzo)

Destruction and Reconstruction: by General Richard Taylor
(available as a free downloadable book at http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/23747 )

Just looking at the titles of the books I can already see the bias. Let me guess, little good is said about the North and it is all about how grand the south is. Somehow I don't think that is what the OP is looking for. I can only imagine what is said about abolitionists and the Underground Railroad.

[Quantrill]

Amen, Jeny.

And yet everyone gave Nascar hell over getting stories from the Confederate Veterans and her grandfather.

Quantrill

[JohnRandolph]

Just looking at the titles of the books I can already see the bias. Let me guess, little good is said about the North and it is all about how grand the south is. Somehow I don't think that is what the OP is looking for. I can only imagine what is said about abolitionists and the Underground Railroad.

So only one side of the discussion/question is worthy of study. Why bother reading up on the subject beyond what was taught in the public schools up to the 8th grade?

[iamredbeard]

So only one side of the discussion/question is worthy of study. Why bother reading up on the subject beyond what was taught in the public schools up to the 8th grade?

Both sides are worthy of discussion and to be honest it is only right to look at both sides, but all of the books that you appear to only show one side of the argument.

[Quantrill]

So only one side of the discussion/question is worthy of study. Why bother reading up on the subject beyond what was taught in the public schools up to the 8th grade?

John Randolph,

Good books, all.

Quantrill

[buflineks]

And yet everyone gave Nascar hell over getting stories from the Confederate Veterans and her grandfather.

Quantrill

I never did that.

What I gave her hell for is the fact that it was an assertion about "British soldiers 'invading' the south".

Why is it her grandfather is the only one who ever heard this?
If this were true, where are the histories written about it, cause it would shed one hell of a new light on the conflict?

If it were true, then explain Wolseley being in Lee's Headquaters and "Observing"?

[iamredbeard]

John Randolph,

Good books, all.

Quantrill

Yet by the titles, they all seem to have a Southern Bias. Nothing like only looking at one side of the war.

[Safiel]

It is good to give a list of books that gives the "other" side of the argument. There are hundreds of books that give the traditional "history is written by the victor" view. Not saying that these books are bad. Not at all. Many are very good. But almost all are biased in the North's favor. Only a relative few are biased the other way and a listing of them would be helpful. It is not necessary to list the northern biased books as they may very easily be found in any bookstore or library.

I have read the traditional histories by Catton and others. And I have read the "other side" histories by DiLorenzo and others. It is good to read both sides. Unfortunately, only one side is give in most schools.

[Clintville]

And yet everyone gave Nascar hell over getting stories from the Confederate Veterans and her grandfather.

Quantrill
She said the British invaded the south and slavery was a benign institution.

[Quantrill]

I never did that.

What I gave her hell for is the fact that it was an assertion about "British soldiers 'invading' the south".

Why is it her grandfather is the only one who ever heard this?
If this were true, where are the histories written about it, cause it would shed one hell of a new light on the conflict?

If it were true, then explain Wolseley being in Lee's Headquaters and "Observing"?

I do not know the statement to be true. But, it doesn't mean that was not what was told some of the veterans during that time. It doesn't mean perhaps that when Southern veteran soldiers encountered fresh Irish soldiers from Europe in the battle field they interpreted it this way.

I knew a man who served during one of Americas conflicts. A regular soldier. And of course now, on the cable T.V. channels, you can get all kinds of history about all the wars. While watching a show on the war he was a part of, they were giving all the information surronding this certain time and battle. This man noted how interesting it was and that during that time he was totally unaware of these things.

And that was during a more recent time when information and communication was far suprerior to anything during the War between the States.

And in the military, you maybe aware of how "scuttlebutt" grows. Especially among the common soldiers. And espceially during war. The War between the States would have been no different. Men anxious for news, hopeful for an end, hopeful for anything. And though some information they hear may just be rumour, it still can encourage or demoralize. It has a real impact.

So, when dealing with the aged veterans, your not getting the exact verifiable way it was as read in history books. Your getting their experiences and what they encountered and remember. And I suppose a rumour believed by them then is just as much a part of that history as anything else that went on.

And to that aged veteran, if I could imagine him telling me these stories, I believe I would have enough respect to withhold my correct view, though knowing now, more information is available.

Quantrill

[NascarGirl2448]

No you didn't.

Yes I have. On more than one occasion I might add. :wall: Then again, I'm not surprised some people reject the true history of the South. Its been going on for 144 years.

[NascarGirl2448]

And yet everyone gave Nascar hell over getting stories from the Confederate Veterans and her grandfather.

Quantrill

Its aggravating, that's for sure.

[birddog1]

I highly recommend this book.

http://www.amazon.com/Irish-Rebels-Confederate-Tigers-Volunteers/dp/1882810163/ref=pd_cp_b_2

It follows a regiment of Irish volunteers from their induction in New Orleans to the surrender of what is left of them at Appomattox. No bias one way or the other in this one just a simple, complete and well written history of the men, their deeds, misdeeds and struggles during the Civil War.

[Clintville]

Yes I have. On more than one occasion I might add. :wall: Then again, I'm not surprised some people reject the true history of the South. Its been going on for 144 years.
No, you never answered any of the questions, you just said you did. And everyone rejects your history of the South.

You also never backed up your claim that slavery wasn't that bad.

[NascarGirl2448]

No, you never answered any of the questions, you just said you did. And everyone rejects your history of the South.

You also never backed up your claim that slavery wasn't that bad.

What's it like to live in a fantasy world? I have seen you reject any kind of evidence, no matter who presents it, that conflicts with your view of Southern history. Not my fault you have a hard time comprehending. Or do you just not want to??? Trying to explain anything to you is just plain exasperating. :wall:

[Clintville]

What's it like to live in a fantasy world? I have seen you reject any kind of evidence, no matter who presents it, that conflicts with your view of Southern history. Not my fault you have a hard time comprehending. Or do you just not want to??? Trying to explain anything to you is just plain exasperating. :wall:
I never rejected any information. You never gave any. Please give me evidence that the British invaded the southern states. And please explain why their are no documents that explain this. Or why the British would invade, or why it would even be covered up in the first place.

And I really want to know your reasoning as to how slavery was benign.

[NascarGirl2448]

I never rejected any information. You never gave any. Please give me evidence that the British invaded the southern states. And please explain why their are no documents that explain this. Or why the British would invade, or why it would even be covered up in the first place.

And I really want to know your reasoning as to how slavery was benign.

Please do yourself a big favor, pick up a book once in a while. The South was Right would be a good place to start.

[County Lawman]

If you want general overviews of the War, then you can't go wrong with Foote and Catton as a start. From there you can pick a theater, battle, General etc.

I assume the J.E.B. Stuart book in question is the Burke Davis book, while very readable it is overly fawning of "Beauty" and not the most accurate.

[Clintville]

Please do yourself a big favor, pick up a book once in a while. The South was Right would be a good place to start.
Okay, where does this book say the British invaded the southern states. Assuming a book that declares one side right is totally not biased.

[NascarGirl2448]

Assuming a book that declares one side right is totally not biased.

As opposed to all the books out there that demonize the South?

[mtdim]

As opposed to all the books out there that demonize the South?

I can't help but notice you didn't answer the question. Clintville asked where in that book it is mentioned that British soldiers fought the south.

[darknessesedge]

I wanted to read more about the Civil War. So if you, if you are a Civil War buff, what books do you recommend, what authors should I read and books and authors should I avoid. Are there good web pages about the Civil War?

Regards

1. watch the civil war doc on pbs when its on....prob 1 of the best shows I have ever seen in my life..
ken burns is awesome..

[Spectre]

I wanted to read more about the Civil War. So if you, if you are a Civil War buff, what books do you recommend, what authors should I read and books and authors should I avoid. Are there good web pages about the Civil War?

Regards

http://www.citizensforaconstitutionalrepublic.com/benson_Jr1-1-09.html

[Spectre]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1400044294/ref=cm_rdp_product

Wolf of the Deep by Stephen Fox.

The story of the CSS Alabama with Captain Raphael Semmes.

The greatest and most successful commerce raider in American history.

[County Lawman]

For the Naval Side of affairs

Last Flag Down by John Baldwin and Ron Powers about the CSS Shenandoah, the last commerce raider to surrender, well after the fall of the CS Goverment is a pretty good study on one vessel.