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A thread for books set during or around the American Civil War.

Terri, do you EVER sleep?

Good question! ;)

Oh totally. :) I go to bed early believe it or not. I love sleep.

I will be back in the land of ten fingers tomorrow. Can't wait.

“I love to sleep. Do you? Isn't it great? It really is the best of both worlds. You get to be alive and unconscious.��
�� Rita Rudner

Dawn wrote: "“I love to sleep. Do you? Isn't it great? It really is the best of both worlds. You get to be alive and unconscious.��
�� Rita Rudner"



Excellent quote. I like. :-)

Chris wrote: "Killer Angels, Shaari senior's book.
...

Killer Angels is a MUST read for anyone interested in Americian Civil War.

In addition to Shaara senior, Shaara Junior has some decent, though not as good as his father, novels on the civil war.

- prequel to Killer Angels about the battle of Chancelorsville
a sequal to KA - about Grant's Spring of '64 campaign.

also he has just published a novel about Shiloh


This one is sitting on the nightstand waiting to be read

Ralph Peters has a new one on Gettysburg

that is supposed to be pretty good - I saw him on BookTV Memorial day weekend and he gave a pretty good defense of Meade's generalship at Gettyburg. Peters writing as Owen Parry also wrote a mystery series about a Welch immagrant, Able Jones, that is not bad at all.
http://www.goodreads.com/series/list?...
The first volume is

Outstanding, Happy. Thanks for all the great recs. I often see Shaara books in my wanderings. Which Shaara is which? Doesn't one write WW2 or 1 also?

The problem with the American Civil War is that (somewhat like the period known as Ancient Egypt) there are too many terrible, trashy works in print and in film that somehow tinge that period in the public mind. "Oh, Ashley, Ashley!" Or the bodice-ripping miniseries epitomized by North and South tend to turn serious readers away, much like The Ten commandments and Land of the Pharaohs. It is a pity.

I have caught, as well, the eye-rolling "Oh, Gawd. The Americans going off, again, on that subject!"

But that war was a watershed. In the American Civil War the language changed from plural to singular, from "The United States are committed to an alliance with Great Britain" to "The United States is committed to an alliance with Great Britain." Do you see the difference? One out of many.

That war touches this country (The United States) in many ways. My great-great grandfather joined the Ohio Volunteer Infantry with the rest of his class at Oberlin College (Ohio) because they opposed slavery and were willing to lay down their lives to stop it. (Yes, it was explicitly stated in the history of his Company that he was commissioned to write.) Southerners fought to protect their sovereign states' independence and their right to own property and dispose of it as they wished.

Families were divided - one distinguished Kentucky family whose paterfamilias was a United States Senator whose proposed war-averting compromise failed, had two generals - Union and Confederate. General John Buford, who arguably set the stage for the Union victory at Gettysburg had a brother in the Confederate army and suffered as a result of it.

A whole generation of talented men died on the battlefields; changes came to this nation that would not have been conceived of.

Oliver Wendell Holmes, who became a distinguished attorney and a Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States of America, gave an address on Memorial day, 1884 that expresses, somehow, the fascination that this period of history has. It is worth reading in its entirety, and I post the link here:



But the one line from that address that expresses - for me, at least - that which brings some of us back again and again to the American Civil War:

But, nevertheless, the generation that carried on the war has been set apart by its experience. Through our great good fortune, in our youth our hearts were touched with fire. It was given to us to learn at the outset that life is a profound and passionate thing. While we are permitted to scorn nothing but indifference, and do not pretend to undervalue the worldly rewards of ambition, we have seen with our own eyes beyond and above the gold fields the snowy heights of honor, and it is for us to bear the report to those who come after us. But above all, we have learned that whether a man accepts from Fortune her spade, and will look downward and dig, or from Aspiration her axe and cord, and will scale the ice, the one and only success which it is his to command is to bring to his work a mighty heart.

Now for the books...

A Grab Bag of Civil War Fiction

I think I need to get the Shaaras out of the way.

In the Pulitzer prize-winning classic The Killer Angels, Michael Shaara created the finest Civil War novel of our time Well... I don't necessarily agree. There are many fine Civil War novels out there. Lots to read, lots to enjoy.

The Killer Angels


This book is magnificent. I have it in my 'indispensables' shelf. It is used as a textbook by the US Army War College in Carlisle, PA (not far from Gettysburg). It is written in stream-of-consciousness mode, which I generally don't like. I like this one. It is a wonderful telling of the battle of Gettysburg from many standpoints, and I would rate it 4.75 stars (cutting 1/4 star because I don't like Stream-of-Consciousness).

The movie "Gettysburg" is fabulously well done, too, though for continuity sake they did take some liberties with the book. And they translated 'Aristocratic Southern Accent' to 'talks like a hick'. The soundtrack is great, too.

Michael Shaara's son Jeff Shaara has ridden his father's coattails and come out with a string of books that I can't comment on because I stopped reading the first one in a flash of annoyance and haven't had the time to try the others.

Gods and Generals
this leads through Chancellorsville. Jeff Shaara writes vividly. My objection to the story was a nit-picking problem with 'out of period' activity. Many, many people have read and loved this book and his others; go with them.

The Last Full Measure
Follows Gettysburg to the end of the war.

Shaara writes colorfully and has a wide array of characters. His books on ŷ������ have a 4+ star rating.

Other Quality Books

There are various books that come to my mind, which lack the scope of the Shaara (junior) books, but give wonderful detail.

Action at Aquila
This covers a year in the life of a colonel of a famous regiment of Union Cavalry, beginning with his furlough in Philadelphia and ending with a beautifully written cavalry engagement that was described by a cavalry veteran as the most realistic telling he could have conceived of. It crosses Pennsylvania and goes into West Virginia and then into westrn Virginia. It involves people that my family actually knew, and it is unforgettable.

The Horse Soldiers
This book is an older one, too. They made a movie of it with John Wayne that features uniforms not in use until 1875 (I said I was a nit-picker) and took such liberties with the story that I will tell you that while it's fun and John Wayne at his best, it is not that book.

This book is based on Grierson's Raid, a cavalry maneuver that covered many miles and wrought a lot of havoc. You go through the backwash of the confederacy and meet people who are hard to forget. The Union cavalrymen are a varied group, beautifully described in their hopes, weaknesses and humor and, at the end, their fatigue. I forgot to put it on my list; it is also an indispensable.

Shiloh

Shelby Foote was a novelist who is most famous for his pulitzer prize-winning history of the Civil War in three volumes (whispering it isn't fiction - but it's written by a novelist and reads like a novel in mot parts. read it!)

Shiloh is one of the best recounts I've ever read.

The Unvanquished
William Faulkner: what more can I say?

Long Remember

Gettysburg

So Red the Rose

Natchez, Mississippi during the Civil War. Poetry, pathos, beautiful writing.

The Year of Jubilo: A Novel of the Civil War

I shouldn't put this here because it takes place starting about six months after the surrender. But the war looms large in it, and is the cause of its actions. I wrote a review; check it out.

I'll put more up as I think of them. My library is heavy with sourcebooks rather than novels because I write about this war. But there's lots to read and I'll be adding more.

Thanks, Diana! I'm enjoying these recs!

Terri wrote: "Outstanding, Happy. Thanks for all the great recs. I often see Shaara books in my wanderings. Which Shaara is which? Doesn't one write WW2 or 1 also?"

I think he has written about every war the US has fought execpt Viet Nam and Korea

He has a 4 book series on WW II (three in Europe and on in the Pacific), a two book series on the Revolution, and single books on the Mexican-American War (the main players in the Civil war served as Junior Officers) and WW I.

I've enjoyed them, but I don't think is anywhere near the writer his father was.

A couple more - Newt Gingrich (yes THAT Newt Gingrich) has a fairly new one

about an ill fated assualt during the Seige of Petersburg in the summer of 1864, where Union sappers exploded a huge mine under a Confederate fort and then has the assault go awry with very heavy casualities. U.S. Colored Troops were supposed to make the iniatal attack but were changed out at the last minute.

He also wrote an alternative history of Gettyburg and what would have happened if Lee had followed Longstreet's advice after the first day

http://www.goodreads.com/series/56574...

I liked Battle of the Crater better than the Gettysburg books, but they are all worth the read.

This is rather long, but I thought it was also a good read

I cannot recommend Shaara's books enough (Both Michael and Jeff). It was Killer Angels that got me hooked on historical fiction (thanks,Dad).

I'm a reviewer for the Historical Novel Society, so I got my grubby mits on an advanced reader copy of Jeff Shaara's A Blaze of Glory . It was fantastic, though very grim. It's heavy reading, so have something light to follow it up with. I can't wait for the next two books in the trilogy (the next one will be set in the west as well).

Justin wrote: "I cannot recommend Shaara's books enough (Both Michael and Jeff). It was Killer Angels that got me hooked on historical fiction (thanks,Dad).

I'm a reviewer for the H..."

So long as Jeff doesn't repeat his trick of having a wine and cheese party in a wealthy officer's house, with the offier's lady personally opening bottles of wine, I'll be happy.

(I'll have to look for that one to come out... Funny, though: I've never read an account of Shiloh that wasn't grim!)

Diana wrote: "So long as Jeff doesn't repeat his trick of having a wine and cheese party in a wealthy officer's house, with the offier's lady personally opening bottles of wine, I'll be happy..."

No, Diana, there is little if any in the way of cheese or wine. :)

And you're right, of course, about the Battle of Shiloh. It does lend itself to grimness.

The battle descriptions are excellent (in his other books - I have not, obviously, read . Now I'm agog.). I think Michael was, perhaps, the better writer, but Jeff can handle really broad scope themes, and he does them well.

I just got back from hearing Jeff Shaara discussing A Blaze of Glory at Unity Temple in Kansas City. It was fascinating to hear how he does his research and how he decides what characters to include in his books. The character, he said, must have developed a voice, transformed into someone that he cares about, or he can't use them. He's had to leave historical figures out of his novels because they just don't get to that crucial point. He said that when he came to the point where he had to write about Stonewall Jackson's death, it really tore him up.

That's fascinating, Marty. I'm so jealous of you being able to hear him speak. What a great opportunity!

Marty wrote: "I just got back from hearing Jeff Shaara discussing A Blaze of Glory at Unity Temple in Kansas City. It was fascinating to hear how he does his research and how he decides what characters to inclu..."

What I would have given to be there ...

Blaze of Glory is next on the TBR and is currently sitting on my night stand.

My copy is signed. Just sayin'. Hee hee.

He's very humble too, says that the real reason he's here is his dad and that he's having to walk in some very big footsteps.

Still, if he didn't have some considerable native talent, those books wouldn't sell.

Starting today

Giddy up! Let us know what you think.

Finished "Blaze of Glory" - Good read. Style wise, if you've read any of his books you will recognize it - it follows his template. Although, there is a little less from the private/company grade officer level in this book. He mainly follows Gen's Johnston and Beauregard on the Confederate side and Gens Sherman and Prentiss on the Union.

my review from good reads if anybody is interested


http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

is a must read for anyone interested in the Americian Civil war.

I think it is every bit as good as Killer Angels

my review if anyone is interested

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

I want to be interested. :) American Civil War isn't yet on my radar of interests. I often change around, so maybe one day.

You and I are somewhat alike, then. I'm interested in the Civil War (for writing), but any history after the Plantagenets is too modern for me.

I often say that it is history 'pre gun' that interests me. I like the history most removed from the modern world.

It might be fun to import a batallion of tanks to the battlefield of Hastings...

Never!

Terri wrote: "Never!"

O_O ;P

]:o=

Terri wrote: "I want to be interested. :) American Civil War isn't yet on my radar of interests. I often change around, so maybe one day."

Sa Right - that is why I added the caveat:)

Lol. Always thinking ahead hey. :-)

Terri wrote: "I want to be interested. :) American Civil War isn't yet on my radar of interests. I often change around, so maybe one day."


I am not interested in American History at all, Terri, and I live here. not that I do not love my country, of course I do, but Europe has always fascinated me and I far prefer HF set there.

Me too, Anne. I live so close to the US but I have very little interest in the history here. Europe is so much more interesting.

I don't usually take much interest in this part of history but by E.L. Doctorow looks too good not to mention.

I don't think it has been mentioned above, but I can thoroughly recommend Cloudsplitter by Russell Banks It is about the start of the American Civil War, so qualifies for this thread I think.
From the blurb on the back of my copy:
"John Brown's infamous 1859 raid on the government munitions depot at Harper's Ferry, intended to spark a widespread revolt amongst Virginia's slaves, marked more than just the opening of America's civil war. It also proved to be the young nation's passage from bumptious innocence into troubled adulthood...Russell Banks's monumental new novel, Cloudsplitter, provides a deeply nuanced portrait of this remarkable man."

I don't read this era/war, but if I did I would probably read that. It sounds like it may be a first class book.

A novel set during the American Civil war that deals with women nurses on the battlefield.

Someone has it shelved as young adult, but for our American members who haven't heard of it who don't mind Young adult, it may be of interest.

The Glory Cloak: A Novel of Louisa May Alcott and Clara Barton

If you are looking for an intense read, one where the author holds nothing back, try NOT ONE AMONG THEM WHOLE, a stunningly intense novel of the surgeons at works amid the chaos and carnage of the Battle of Gettysburg.

BTW, see my review of the book for many other recommendations on historical novels of the Civil War.
Not One Among Them Whole A Novel of Gettysburg

The Smithsonian has this great article on an artist who puts colour into black & white civil war photos. The photos are interactive and you can move the colour from side to side of the picture.


It makes the war really come alive.

That's incredible. I am completely blown away.

Dawn wrote: "I don't usually take much interest in this part of history but by E.L. Doctorow looks too good not to mention."

Thats a great story. I also loved Cold Mountain. Even the movie version was good, although it was shot in Europe.

Dawn wrote: "The Smithsonian has this great article on an artist who puts colour into black & white civil war photos. The photos are interactive and you can move the colour from side to side of the picture.
ht..."

amazing, really, really cool pics.

The Smithsonian has some great stuff. :)

I'll have to check them out sometime. :)

I don't think this one is mentioned yet. The new Shaara due out May 2013 or thereabouts.


A Chain of Thunder: A Novel of the Siege of Vicksburg

Terri wrote: "I don't think this one is mentioned yet. The new Shaara due out May 2013 or thereabouts.


A Chain of Thunder: A Novel of t..."

I've already got on my hold list at the library :D