Private Civil War: Popular Thought During the Sectional Conflict

by Randall C. Jimerson

Book Overview

Historians have given much attention to the Civil War's prominent players--its generals, politicians, and other public leaders--but they have devoted less attention to the common soldiers and civilians--the "plain folk"--who actively participated in the conflict. In his study of popular thought during the Civil War era, Randall C. Jimerson offers a grass-roots perspective on the war by examining the thoughts and ideas of these ordinary men and women...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0807119628
• ISBN13: 9780807119624
• Release Date: October 1994
• Publisher: LSU Press
• Length: 300 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.0" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

The civil war told through the experiences of individuals

I got this book for a history class and I must say that this book is an outstanding read for anyone interested in the civil war. Jimerson manages to compile the personal letters and diary entries of people from the north and south into a book that gives a comprehensive overview of how people thought during the conflict. He takes the writings from a very representative cross section of society; from rich to poor, commercial planters to backcountry farmers. Jimerson also depicts attitudes towards blacks from both sides of the conflict extensively. The book itself is reads well and it can hold one's attention well enough.

An outstanding read; very original!

Jimerson has put together quite a work that is original in its focus on the individual participants and observers of the Civil War--both northerners and southerners. The use of primary sources is so extensive and direct that the book is basically a 200-odd page compilation of quotes, effectively showing how each side viewed the other. The work is further illuminated with a chapter on black soliers............An outstanding piece!!!

Very good book

Jimerson has done a fine job describing how common northerners and southerners viewed the war--and each other--by using their own writings. Very interesting chapters on the perceptions of black soldiers and the limits to sectional consciousness.