The Civil War Dictionary

By Mark Mayo Boatner III

Book Overview

For almost thirty years The Civil War Dictionary has been the most complete, authoritative, and handy reference book on what has been called the Second American Revolution, 1861-1865. Periodically updated throughout sixteen printings, this invaluable volume has more than 4,000 entries, alphabetically arranged and carefully cross-referenced. Among them: -- 2,000 biographical sketches of Civil War leaders. both military and civilian -- extensive descriptions of all 20 campaigns and entries on lesser battles, engagements and skirmishes -- 120 armies, departments, and districts, as well as such famous smaller units as the Iron Brigade, the 20th Maine, and the Pennsylvania Reserves -- plus naval engagements, weapons, issues and incidents, military terms and definitions, politics, literature, statistics, and 86 specially prepared maps and diagrams

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0679733922
• ISBN13: 9780679733928
• Release Date: October 1991
• Publisher: Vintage
• Length: 1024 Pages
• Weight: 1.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.9" x 4.8" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Complete and compact; handy reference.

Useful to the serious or casual student of the Civil War. Clarifies troop movements and provides backgrounds on key organizations and personnel involved with the war effort. I always keep it handy when reading anything to do with the War and it always helps me understand even the most confusing aspects of troop movements, weaponry, etc. A standard in the field.

A GREAT REFERENCE BOOK FOR BOTH NOVICE AND OLD PRO

I found Boatners book (hardcover)at a garage sale about 10-12 years ago. I placed the book in storage and rediscovered it just before a tour of the Gettysburg battlefield. I highly recommend this book to the novice just getting started on the battlefields of the Civil War or the old pro who needs to refresh or jog their memory. Anyone that must have small details of any battlefield, troop placement and or commanders that lead them, locations of assults, you name it, this book is a must. Take it with you as you walk the lines of battle, its invaluable!

A Must-have book for Civil War Buffs

There are only a few reference books available on the Civil War worth talking about, and this is the long-standing champion. Relative to its competition (notably The HTI Encyclopedia of the Civil War) the Civil War Dictionary's only flaw is that it doesn't include portraits of the various people who are the subject of the various entries. That really isn't much of a shortcoming. On the positive side, it includes information on just about every important person, battle, campaign, event, weapon, piece of equipment, place, or anything else you can name that has anything to do with the American Civil War. When I'm reading books on the ACW, I refer to it regularly (just looked up someone in it this afternoon). Highly recommended