McPherson recounts the momentous episodes that preceded the Civil War including the Dred Scott decision, the Lincoln-Douglas debates, John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry. From there it moves into a masterful chronicle of the war itself--the battles, the strategic maneuvering by each side, the politics, and the personalities.
Battle Cry of Freedom
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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 ) --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
probably the best single-volume history of America's Civil War yet written. (The Economist ) --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
About the Author
James McPherson is Professor Emeritus of American History at Princeton University. Battle Cry of Freedom won the Pulitzer Prize for non-fiction in 2003.
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First Sentence
The hallmark of the United States has been growth. Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
The hallmark of the United States has been growth. Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
84 of 85 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I read this book around 8 years ago, and my opinion hasn't changed: if you're only going to read one book on the American civil war make it this one!
Mr McPherson's achievement is nothing short of miraculous, he encapsulates every aspect of the civil war from the political and social factors to the personalities involved, and some tremendous military details, the descriptions of the battles are so engrossing you can almost smell the gunpowder wafting off the pages. It's remarkable that he can cram so much detail into 900 or so pages and make it all so absorbing and readable.
But what really sets this great work apart in my opinion are two things:
1. The wealth of first hand accounts, from contemporaneous letters of all the soldiers private to the most famous generals, politicians and ordinary members of the public. These all contribute to make the war seem far more alive and real, it may have happened 140 years ago but when reading this book you'll sometimes feel like it happened yesterday.
2. The wealth of fascinating little details that puts the history into context, I quote a typical example "The casualties at Antietam numbered four times the total suffered at the Normandy beaches on June 6, 1944", I just plucked that one at random from my well thumbed copy here.
16 of 16 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.
32 of 34 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is one of the finest historical volumes I have ever read on any subject. McPherson's strengths are are threefold: firstly his research is astonishing in its detail and expertly referenced, secondly he writes with wonderful clarity and linguistic dexterity, and thirdly he remains passionately impartial about his subject. The only weakness I can think of in this superb work is the extremely poor quality of the maps and diagrams some of which are nearly illegible, responsibility for which rests with the publisher (Penguin). Those seeking an easy read focusing primarily on the famous battles of the Civil War might be better off looking elsewhere (such as the Osprey volume "The American Civil War"), because while McPherson does cover military matters extensively, he is at least if not more concerned with an analysis of the political and social climate surrounding them and in this respect his book must surely stand out as an astonishingly well researched and scholarly work. Which is not to say that this book is anything other than a compelling read - despite the wealth and density of detail, Macpherson writes with elan and lucidity for over 850 brilliant pages. Thoroughly recommended, even if you will need at least a week of solid reading to get through it!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very Comprehensive history of the war and social and economic...
Gave a very good insight as to the causes and build up to the cessation of the southern states and the political figures involved. Read more
Published 2 days ago by cs
5.0 out of 5 stars
An exemplary study
The breadth, detail, clarity, and even-handed, thoughtful analysis make this one of the most readable, rewarding and generally satisfying of the many histories, general and... Read more
Published 21 days ago by MJC, Pinner, Middlesex
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Excellent Work
Battle Cry of Freedom by James M. McPherson is a brilliant work detailing the history of the United States from the mid-1840s to the end of the Civil War. Read more
Published 22 days ago by HBH
5.0 out of 5 stars
The number one civil war book
If you study the american civil war every book you read will make a reference to this book. 90% of the Amazon-reviewers have given the book 5 stars. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Per David
5.0 out of 5 stars
Impeccable
This iis an outstanding achievement. A single volume history whic h covers the social,economic, political and military elements of the war. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Bill Kelly
5.0 out of 5 stars
Battle Cry of Freedom.
A book about the politics leading up to and during the war.An unbiased and account which I enjoyed reading it. I'd recommend it to anyone interested in the Civil War.
Published 2 months ago by Freda P. R. Utterson
3.0 out of 5 stars
so far...
Well so far I am 300 + pages in and thought I would post my views to date.
1. This might seem pretty obvious but it is written in a way I would describe as "American",... Read more
1. This might seem pretty obvious but it is written in a way I would describe as "American",... Read more
Published 3 months ago by phlkanad
5.0 out of 5 stars
very big
i havent read it yet but it looks big, and colourful, with lots of words, maybe some pictures and maps
Published 3 months ago by stephen deas
4.0 out of 5 stars
South v Nortgh
I chose the book as I am interssted in the American Civil War period, and, from reading the previous reviews this would appear to illustrate some of the more important aspects... Read more
Published 5 months ago by D. H. PRYDE
5.0 out of 5 stars
Perfect!
Nice quick delivery. We're going to Washington next year,and on having a very quick flick through, this will be perfect. Thank you!
Published 5 months ago by Jonesy
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