The History Buff's Guide to the Civil War

By Thomas R. Flagel

Book Overview

Exploring the Civil War can be fascinating, but with so many battles, leaders, issues, and more than 50,000 books on the subject, the task can be overwhelming. Was Gettysburg the most important battle? Were Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis so different from each other? How accurate is re-enacting? Who were the worst commanding generals? Thomas R. Flagel uses annotated lists organized under more than thirty headings to see through the powder smoke and straighten Sherman's neckties, ranking and clarifying the best, the worst, the largest, and the most lethal aspects of the conflict. The History Buff's Guide(tm) to the Civil War covers: - Antebellum : Investigates the critical years before the war, in particular the growing crises, extremists, and slavery. - Politics : Contrasts the respective presidents and constitutions of the Union and Confederacy, the most prominent politicians, and the most volatile issues of the times. - Military Life : Offers insights into the world of the common soldiers, how they fought, what they ate, how they were organized, what they saw, how they lived, and how they died. - The Home Front : Looks at the fast growing field in Civil War research, including immigration, societal changes, hardships and shortages, dissent, and violence far from the firing lines. - In Retrospect : Ranks the heroes and heroines, greatest victories and failures, firsts and worsts. - Pursuing the War : Summarizes Civil War study today, including films, battlefield sites, books, genealogy, re-enactments, restoration, preservation, and other ventures. From the antebellum years to Appomattox and beyond, The History Buff's Guide(tm) tothe Civil War is a quick and compelling guide to one of the most complex and critical eras in American history.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1581823711
• ISBN13: 9781581823714
• Release Date: January 1
• Publisher: Sourcebooks, Incorporated
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 1.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.8" x 1.0" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

The War

This book is a great way to jump into the Civil War (at least it was for me). It has just the right amount of detail and allows me to continue my investigation (which was limited to the battle at Gettysburg). It came up a little short is style and approach but it gets the job done. Speaking as one who always wanted to give more time to this epoch but did not know where to go next, this covered the battles, the people, and the country before and during the war. It also piqued my interest in other battles and put a couple more sites on my "Must Visit" list. At the current price, it is a good deal and does what it purports to do.

Very Enjoyable and Informative Read

The History Buff's Guide to the Civil War by Thomas R. Flagel was very informative and provided this individual with many bits of information that haven't been seen before. As an individual who reads twenty or more civil war books each year I would strongly recommend this read to those who desire those little bits and pieces that are not usually found in more well known publications. The book is well written and presented in very readable fashion. Well done!

An excellent introductory guide and consultation reference

American Civil War expert and history teacher Thomas R. Flagel wrote The History Buff's Guide To The Civil War as a guide to the most critical people, places, and events of the Civil War. Meticulously organized under over thirty headings to spotlight key facts and topics in an easy-to-lookup manner, The History Buff's Guide To The Civil War is accessibly divided into the main subjects of Antebellum, Politics, Military Life, The Home Front, In Retrospect, and Pursuing the War, with each section deftly and succinctly exploring issues with heavily researched, matter-of-fact directness. An excellent introductory guide and consultation reference for readers of all backgrounds, The History Buff's Guide To The Civil War is a welcome addition to personal, school, and community library Civil War Studies reference collections.

Making history fun to learn

The writing in this book is eloquent, evocative, and brings the Civil War to life. I've given copies of this book to my daughters who are in middle school and high school as well as to my older daughter to share with my Granddaughter (they live in the south and this book contains truth rather than historical fiction). I would recommend this book for every student who thinks history is boring - so they can find out it's not.

How to be a Civil War Buff

Seinfeld character George Costanza asked the question "I wonder what it takes to be a Civil War buff?" This book is the answer. If you are new to Civil War studies, this book will help you make sense of all the information out there. Key figures, battles and social phenomena are explained in language that a novice can understand (after reading it, you'll finally know what a "flanking maneuver" is). He also approaches the topic with a touch of humor (his list of "ways to be a successfull re-enactor" is required reading as much for re-enactors as for those of us who question the sanity of wearing a wool tunic on a July afternoon). For those who've already earned their stripes as a "buff" this book is still essential reading. A fellow buff of mine and I have already had many lively debates about Flagel's ranking of the best and worst generals--George McClellan the second worst general in the war? Flagel makes his case, and whether you agree, disagree, or wish to drop a twelve-pounder on his toe, it gets the juices flowing.