The Civil War: A Narrative

The Civil War: A Narrative cover
Good Books rating 4.75
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Technical
  • ID: 6670
  • Added: 2025-11-27
  • Updated: 2025-11-27
  • ISBN: 9780394746234
  • Publisher: Vintage
  • Published: 1986-11-12
  • Reviews: 3

Shelby Foote's classic narrative of the Civil War begins with Jefferson Davis's farewell to the United Senate and takes readers through the bloody battlefields of Antietam and Perryville, revealing the full, horrifying scope of the war. Foote's epic account is meticulously researched and masterfully written, unfolding like a classic novel with maps throughout to enhance the reader's understanding. The narrative is praised for its unique and brilliant achievement, offering a new atmosphere of the Civil War filled with color, life, and character. /n/n Critics and historians alike have lauded Foote's work as a stunning and eloquent proof that an historian should be a writer above all else. The narrative is celebrated for its unflagging power and its ability to make readers love the nation through a living knowledge of its mortal division. This work is considered a timeless achievement that captures the essence of the Civil War in a way that is both profound and enduring.

Reviews
Amazon · 2025-11-27
brilliant 5.00

This narrative account of the military progress of the war is considered the best history of the US Civil War by a British reader. It's praised for its engaging and comprehensive coverage.

A British reader highly recommends 'The Civil War: A Narrative' as the best history of the US Civil War they have read. They appreciate the narrative account of the military progress of the war, finding it engaging and comprehensive. The reviewer highlights the book's ability to bring the historical events to life, making it a compelling read. The narrative style is particularly praised for its accessibility and depth, providing a thorough understanding of the war's progression.


Quick quotes

    This is hands down the best history of the US civil war that I have read.

    This is a narrative account of the military progress of the war.

    A staggeringly brilliant book.

Compulsive Reader · 2016-07-08
powerful 4.50

The book vividly captures the grim realities of war, highlighting the fading hope and misinterpretations of the time. It's a powerful narrative that immerses readers in the historical context.

The reviewer found 'The Civil War: A Narrative' to be a compelling and immersive read that brings the harsh realities of war to life. They appreciated how the book captures the awfulness, overtiredness, dirt, and stench of war, providing a vivid portrayal of the era. The narrative is praised for its ability to convey the fading hope and misinterpretations that characterized the time, making it a powerful historical account. The reviewer also noted that the book's literary and historical achievements make it a standout work.


Quick quotes

    The Civil War, A Narrative exemplifies the awfulness, overtiredness, dirt and stench of war.

    It was a time of fading hope, misinterpretation, and the stench of war.

    A stunning literary and historical achievement.

Jim Mike Kepler · 2008-10-05
compelling 4.75

The writing style makes it feel like receiving news from the front lines of an ongoing war. It's a comprehensive and well-researched work that scrutinizes the Civil War in detail.

The reviewer appreciates the unique writing style of 'The Civil War: A Narrative,' which makes the historical events feel immediate and engaging. They describe the book as a comprehensive and well-researched work that scrutinizes the Civil War in detail. The narrative approach is particularly praised for its ability to immerse readers in the historical context, making it a compelling and informative read. The reviewer also highlights the book's thoroughness and depth, providing a comprehensive understanding of the war.


Quick quotes

    Shelby Foote takes the Civil War and scrutinizes it in a writing style that feels as if you are hearing news from the front in an ongoing war.

    A staggeringly brilliant book.

    Incredibly comprehensive at approximately 3,000 pages and clearly well-researched.

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