Hearts in conflict: A one-volume history of the Civil War

by Curt Anders

Civil War. Hearts in Conflict is the only in-depth one-volume history of the Civil War addressed to non scholars. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0760716250
• ISBN13: 9780760716250
• Release Date: January 1999
• Publisher: Barnes & Noble Books
• Length: 642 Pages
• Weight: 2.20 lbs.

Customer Reviews

A Nations struggle with Sucession

The Civil War was not just a war about slavery or states rights but a war in which the objective was to maintain and preserve the union.Hearts in Conflict by Curt Anders describes in an informative and detailed way every aspect of the Civil War. Every battle from Fredricksburg to Gettysburg to Antietam Anders discribes in an historical, accurate setting along with exerpts from Generals journals.As you start to read this book you get hooked from the vary start from the opening chapter to the very end. I thouroughly enjoyed this novel.I love reading about history especially the Civil War and Hearts in Conflict is one of the best book I have read on this topic. Throughout this book I learned alot of new information that I had not known in the past. The opening chapter I really got a better understanding of the reason and views of the southern states. I knew that most of those states in the south suceeded because they were pro-slavery and against the views of Lincoln and his administration.I learned though, the feelings of the southerners and understood the right of sucession. For Curt Anders a novel such as Hearts in Conflict expresses a serious moderate tone one in which when reading you actually get a feel of what is taking place and the events that have occured. In his chapter on The First Battle of Manassas Anders uses a first person tone as he takes the position of a confederate solider who witnesses General Thomas ''Stonewall''Jackson's triumph victory as he crushed the union army forces. The characters in this book are motivated by religion and their belief in themselves. To me reading this book it seemed like every exerpt I read had to do with god in some way or the other. Most of the Generals, I know from study, as well as soliders were all strong believers in god himself and that only gods will will get them through this trouble war. The characters are also motivated by their victories in battle. Most of the characters I noticed, having won a battle moved on to the next confrontation only to win or lose that fight. Anders captures the readers attention and seeks to give them the most informative and accurate information. He focuses on the crucial battles such as Fredricksburg, Antietam, and First and Second Manassas. He concentrates on the characters points of views and allows them to speak for themselves. I am an avid historian who loves the Civil War the most out of all of our great nations history. I feel that it was a war that made the United States what it is today. This is an insightful, informative novel about the Civil War. Certainly, a war that defined the United States and an important aspect of our American history.

Intelligent, Concise Overview of the Civil War

I started this one volume history of the Civil War with a somewhat jaded eye as I am just finishing Volume One of Shelby Foote's Three Volume extravaganza on the Civil War, which is wonderfully "told" (seems somehow a better term than, written, as anyone familiar with his work will understand). Mr. Anders volume starts out just a little slow, but picks up the pace and interest level considerably by the twentieth page. Not everyone has the time to devote to a three volume, in-depth study (nor perhaps that intense interest level), but this is a book that can be worked into anyone's schedule. The writing is sharp, intelligent, and to the point. Obviously, a great deal of research went into the quotes, which at times makes you feel as if the participants are speaking to you about the events as they happen, from the elation of victory to the anger and sadness of a bloody repulse. The interworkings of Lincoln's White House and the cast of characters "Honest Abe" had to deal with are vividly presented. All and all, an excellent book, well worth picking up!

Great Reading

I found this one volume book on the Civil War to be excellent reading and thought provoking. It is concise and easy to read, but filled with interesting detail about the people who made the era what it was. The only failing is the lack of detailed maps showing the battlefields and the troop movements which are so important to understanding the outcome of the various battles.The author quotes extensively from letters and other writings of the era to help the reader climb into the minds of those who were doing the fighting and the making the decisions. He is not afraid of looking into controversy. The loyality of Gen. McCelland is carefully called into question for example, but in a balanced fashion.I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the Civil War. It does not have the detail one finds in multi volume works on the war, but it is well done and filled with enough detail to hold the reader's interest from first to last.