The Civil War in the United States is a subject that I am not ignorant about, but also felt I was sadly lacking in detail. I decided that I would read a history book on the subject. The trouble with reading just one History book is that you only get one perspective. Thus, reading multiple books on the same subject is a wise thing to do. I chose three series to read in parallel.
By: Bruce Catton
The Centennial History of the Civil War Series
1961-1963
60 hours
- The Coming Fury
- Terrible Swift Sword
- Never Call Retreat
By: James M. McPherson
1988
40 hours
- Battle Cry of Freedom: Volume 1
- Battle Cry of Freedom: Volume 2
By: Shelby Foote
1958-1974
154 hours
- The Civil War: A Narrative Vol. 1
- The Civil War: A Narrative Vol. 2
- The Civil War: A Narrative Vol. 3
Total time: 253 hours
It was a semi-monumental task that I began in March of 2018 and Finished in April of 2019. There were other books I read from time to time to break up the intensity of the whole process. I do wish that I had written a review at the end of each book or at each point that I took a break. Some of the synchronization points: The Attack on Fort Sumter, the Battle of Fredericksburg, the Battle of Gettysburg and the Siege of Vicksburg, the Siege of Chattanooga, the Fall of Atlanta, and the Fall of Richmond.
My impressions on these three books.
Catton
The essential details. After reading his series you will know what happened in balanced proportions. Important things are given more time, less significant events less content. He does give personal stories, but only as drivers for what is currently in focus.
McPherson
The larger scope. After reading his series you will know why this happened. He goes more into the political goings on at home and abroad. He spends significant amounts of time laying the ground work for what is taking place. More time is spent off the battlefield, on the home front politics and public opinion.
Foote
The romantic human story. After reading his series, you will know about the people involved. He often chooses tragic and heroic figures who will capture your imagination but at the same time often carries you away on unnecessary storylines. You lose some perspective for what’s really going on and the bodies on the battlefield of his book are less vivid in the light of these heroes.
I walked away with a much better perspective for this great turning point in the history of my country.