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what will surely become the standard one-volume history of the great conflict which forged America as a united nation. Godfrey Hodgson, The Independent
probably the best single-volume history of America's Civil War yet written. (The Economist )
probably the best single-volume history of America's Civil War yet written. (The Economist )
Book Description
A sweeping account of the USA's most turbulent decades
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First Sentence
The hallmark of the United States has been growth. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
The hallmark of the United States has been growth. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
As a non-American reader, who knew precious little about the Civil War, I wasn't especially keen to read this book. But it was a truly enlightening experience, bringing a personal dimension to the key players at Gettysburg so effectively that I will never forget any of them. Riveting stuff. How well and absorbingly this is written. If you haven't read it, you are in for a real experience.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition
This book - probably the best one-volume Civil War history - is more than a simple survey: it is a very strong literary work as well, beautifully written and balanced. For all 900 or so pages, I was completely absorbed. Never once did I glumly look at the last page and calculate the percentage of the book that remained. It is the ideal starting point for anyone wishing to investigate the most disturbing episode of American history, a stepping off point that is also a pleasure to read. Afterall, what other survey histories won the Pulitzer prize?
However, as a broad-brush history, I found myself quibbling with the author's choice of detail in the areas that I knew well. For example, I would have liked to see more coverage of the brutal race riots that occured in the Northern states, incidents that revealed extremely disturbing fault lines in race relations that persist to this day. By choosing to neglect this and other details, I felt that the author refrained from contemplating the deeper meaning of the war, even or providing the building blocks to do so. While interpretation is certainly not his primary task in a survey, it does get short shrift here.
Nonetheless, every American should read this book.
However, as a broad-brush history, I found myself quibbling with the author's choice of detail in the areas that I knew well. For example, I would have liked to see more coverage of the brutal race riots that occured in the Northern states, incidents that revealed extremely disturbing fault lines in race relations that persist to this day. By choosing to neglect this and other details, I felt that the author refrained from contemplating the deeper meaning of the war, even or providing the building blocks to do so. While interpretation is certainly not his primary task in a survey, it does get short shrift here.
Nonetheless, every American should read this book.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Not only one of the best books on the US Civil War I've read; not only one of the best books of history I've read, but one of the best books I've read. Excellent in every way, from every angle, from whatever viewpoint you begin with. If you have any interest in the subject, read this; if you have a deep interest in the subject, read this; if you like history, read this. In fact if you like books, read this. Wonderful.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Good read with one reservation
Well written book and easy to read. The one negative is the maps which are on the small side and difficult to read. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mr. B. Sharp
Outstanding work!
McPherson does an exceptional job of creating a work that is interesting and educational for both the avid reader of history, as well as the person with a passing interest. Read more
Published on 8 April 1998
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