Welcome to my Civil War page. I have had an interest in military history for over ten years and have studied the Civil War intensively for the past five years. This period in American history remains the most interesting to me on many levels. The intesity of wartime is reflected in nearly every personal account of this time. The political and moral issues of the war are still to be decided. It was the largest event in this nation's history, and, excepting the Revolution, the most important.
The
Battle Cry of Freedom by James McPherson
This Pulitzer Prize-winning book is the most
renowned comprehensive history of the war.
The Centennial History of the Civil
War by Bruce Catton
This three volume set is Catton's most complete
history of the war, and one of his best. It's out of print now, but
you may be able to find it at a library or used book store.
The
Civil War: A Narrative by Shelby Foote
Foote was the featured historian on Ken Burns'
PBS documentary The Civil War. This is the
work that seperates the casual reader from the true scholar or buff.
At over 2500 pages, it's not for the faint
of heart!
- Military Histories of the War -
The
Army of the Potomac Trilogy by Bruce Catton
Catton at his very best - and most critically
acclaimed. This history of the Union's most famed army
is the best written of all the Civil War books I've read.
Grant
Moves South and Grant
Takes Command by Bruce Catton
Catton's books on the Civil War career of General
U.S. Grant are more technical than his others, but
they offer real insight into the personality and tactics of the North's
greatest general.
Battle
Tactics of the Civil War by Paddy Griffith
Griffith's controversial book claims that the
indecisive nature of Civil War battles was brought on not
by the development of the rifle, but by the inexperience and lack of discipline
of the American volunteer.
The
Last Full Measure by Richard Moe
The best regimental history I have ever read,
Moe's Last Full Measure chronicles the 1st Minnesota Volunteers
from their enlistment at Ft. Snively through their heroic charge at Gettysburg
to their final battle at Mine Run. This
is first class history!
- Memoirs and Reminiscences -
Co.
Aytch by Sam Watkins
Confederate Watkins' simple yet moving book remains
the favorite of scholars and buffs alike.
All
for the Union by Elisha Hunt Rhodes
Union soldier Rhodes' wartime diaries and letters,
collected by his grandson.
The
Passing of the Armies by Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain
General Chamberlain is one of the more notable
and best known soldiers of the Civil War. This book,
detailing the Appamattox campaign and the V Corps' role in it, shows the
immense literary skills Chamberlain possesed.
- Historical Fiction -
Gods
and Generals by Jeff Shaara
Prequel to The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara's son, Jeff,
covering the time from 1858 to the Battle of Gettysburg. This book
has the same personal feel as the original.
The
Killer Angels by Michael Shaara
1976 Pulitzer Prize winning novel about the Battle of Gettysburg.
Shaara uses particpants in the battle as his main characters. This
book was the basis of the 1993 movie Gettysburg.
The
Last Full Measure by Jeff Shaara
Sequel to The Killer Angels, covering the time period between
the Battle of Gettysburg and 1913.
Great
War: American Front by Harry Turtledove
Follow-up to How Few Remain, depicting the first world war as
fought between the Union and Confederacy.
How
Few Remain by Harry Turtledove
The second Civil War is fought between an independent South and North
over territory rights in Mexico.
Guns
of the South by Harry Turtledove
The South wins the war with the aid of the AK-47. Bizzare, but
an entertaining read.
Glory
Enough for All by Duane Schultz
The Battle of the Crater, given the same loving detail that Shaara
gave Gettysburg.
Links to Civil War Sites:
Civil
War Music Lyrics
Great site with lyrics to many Civil War era
songs and some MIDI renditions of the music.
Library
of Congress
Civil War photographs alphabetized by subject.
Civil
War Discussion
Dale Amsbaugh's message board for the Civil War.
This
Week in the Civil War
Events this week, 1861-5. Updated weekly.
Civil
War Timeline
Chronological sequence, 1861-5.
Talonsoft
Creators of the Battleground series of
Civil War computer games.
Military
Images
Photographic history of the soldier and sailor
of the nineteenth century.
Reenactor's
Ring
Organization of reenacting units on the web.
Appomattox
Campaign
Large paper, well researched and cited.
Coming Soon . . . Watch for a paper examining regimental/brigade-level infantry tactics of the Civil War.
