The only problem with this "book" is that it is a trilogy and so it is a bit of a commitment. However, as someone who has only ever been moderately interested in the Civil War, I am enjoying the book immensely.
The style is easy, the strategy for the battles are explained in clear, plain language and the book is just frankly great reading. I've sped my way through the first 400 pages of Volume I and I am entranced.
I would recommend nothing else. The only shortcoming whatsoever of the series is length. Additionally, there is really no "lead-up" section, so you might want to read a couple wikipedia entries about a couple of things that might not be explained. However, the number of things that would need to be explained are minimal.
Foote covers absolutely everything in the war - the personality conflicts of the generals, the actual battles blow-by-blow, the big picture politics in Washington and Richmond, Lincoln and Davis' personal histories, the international situation - everything.
The style is easy, the strategy for the battles are explained in clear, plain language and the book is just frankly great reading. I've sped my way through the first 400 pages of Volume I and I am entranced.
I would recommend nothing else. The only shortcoming whatsoever of the series is length. Additionally, there is really no "lead-up" section, so you might want to read a couple wikipedia entries about a couple of things that might not be explained. However, the number of things that would need to be explained are minimal.
Foote covers absolutely everything in the war - the personality conflicts of the generals, the actual battles blow-by-blow, the big picture politics in Washington and Richmond, Lincoln and Davis' personal histories, the international situation - everything.
Political correctness is the pettiest form of casuistry.
ἡ δὲ κἀκ τριῶν τρυπημάτων ἐργαζομένη ἐνεκάλει τῇ φύσει, δυσφορουμένη, ὅτι δὴ μὴ καὶ τοὺς τιτθοὺς αὐτῇ εὐρύτερον ἢ νῦν εἰσι τρυπώη, ὅπως καὶ ἄλλην ἐνταῦθα μίξιν ἐπιτεχνᾶσθαι δυνατὴ εἴη. – Procopius
Ummaka qinnassa nīk!
*MySmiley*
ἡ δὲ κἀκ τριῶν τρυπημάτων ἐργαζομένη ἐνεκάλει τῇ φύσει, δυσφορουμένη, ὅτι δὴ μὴ καὶ τοὺς τιτθοὺς αὐτῇ εὐρύτερον ἢ νῦν εἰσι τρυπώη, ὅπως καὶ ἄλλην ἐνταῦθα μίξιν ἐπιτεχνᾶσθαι δυνατὴ εἴη. – Procopius
Ummaka qinnassa nīk!
*MySmiley*
Can someone recommend me a good book about the American Civil War?
- 29/08/2010 01:41:11 PM
888 Views
I am reading Shelby Foote's history right now.
- 29/08/2010 04:16:58 PM
675 Views
Killer Angels was good even if technically it is fiction
- 30/08/2010 06:09:46 PM
638 Views
It was excellent, and the basis for the film "Gettysburg" The author's son wrote a prequel & sequel
- 31/08/2010 05:28:37 AM
613 Views