Thomas F. (hardtack) -
When I finish reading a history book, I can often tell how much I learned by the number of page points I used to mark important passages. For this book, that number was 25. Considering I have been reading about the Civil War for over 64 years, that number is significant, showing how much I learned. For example, statistics show that 20% of Confederate soldiers were conscripted, while only 7% of Union soldiers were. For well over a hundred years "Lost Cause" mythologists would have had you believe otherwise.
If you are interested in how the American Civil War affected our country and changed it, but are not interested in the battles or tactics, this is a good book to read. The only time battles and troop movements are mentioned are when they affect civilian populations.
However, this is not a popular history, as it is lengthy and well researched. Even with my interest in the social and political aspects of the War, it took me a long time to read it. But then it also wasn't the only book I was reading at the same time. But if you are a Civil War buff, this book should be on your BIR list.
At the end, the authors get into a discussion of how the government treated the American Indians after the Civil War. I'm not sure why that was included.
If you are interested in how the American Civil War affected our country and changed it, but are not interested in the battles or tactics, this is a good book to read. The only time battles and troop movements are mentioned are when they affect civilian populations.
However, this is not a popular history, as it is lengthy and well researched. Even with my interest in the social and political aspects of the War, it took me a long time to read it. But then it also wasn't the only book I was reading at the same time. But if you are a Civil War buff, this book should be on your BIR list.
At the end, the authors get into a discussion of how the government treated the American Indians after the Civil War. I'm not sure why that was included.
