Battles and Leaders of the Civil War Vol. 2: Struggle Intensifies [Hardcover]

Century Magazine (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1985 | Series: Battles and Leaders of the Civil War (Book 2)

Battles and Leaders of the Civil War is recognized as the outstanding history of the War between the States to come out of the 19th century. THis series was originally conceived in 1883 by the editors of Century Company, who set out to provide an accurate, unbiased account of the war. It was authored by the commanders and their subordinates from both the Confederate and Union forces who actually fought, planned or were eyewitnesses to the events they describe therein.

Volume 2 opens with the siege and capture of Fort Pulaski, the capture of New Orleans, and a summary of operations in the far southwest. It covers the Peninsular Campaign, the battles of Yorktown, Williamsburg, Manassas, and Seven Pines.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

The Civil War remains the costliest conflict in terms of American lives lost and men wounded, in which our country has ever been involved. BATTLES AND LEADERS OF THE CIVIL WAR is recognized as the outstanding history of the War between the States to come out of the 19th century. The series was originally conceived in 1883 by the editors of the Century Company, who set out to provide an accurate, unbiased account of the war. BATTLES AND LEADERS OF THE CIVIL WAR was authored by the commanders and their subordinates from both the Confederate and Union forces who actually fought, planned, or were eyewitnesses to the events they describe herein. Here you can read about the events of the war written by such prominent generals as Beauregard, Grant, Longstreet, Sherman, McClellan, Butler and many others. These books are profusely illustrated with maps, charts, and engravings by the most prominent artists of the era.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 750 pages
• Publisher: Castle Books (April 1, 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0890095701
• ISBN-13: 978-0890095706
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.6 x 2.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #188,333 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Book!, August 25, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Battles and Leaders of the Civil War Vol. 2: Struggle Intensifies (Hardcover)

This volume (#2) is one of a four volume set - and each is invaluable to understanding what really happened during the various campaigns. The books are a compilation of articles and letters first published in "Century" magazine in the 1870's and 1880's by the editors of that same magazine. In addition, there are numerous DETAILED maps - even down to the placement of individual artillery batteries, photographs, and sketches from the time. Further, the editors have numerous footnotes, which are extremely helpful in presenting evidence and/or additional information concerning events. The articles were all written by men, generals and privates alike, who were there, who took part. This is source material, the unvarnished truth as they saw it. It is sometimes serious, sometimes poetic, sometimes even humorous, yet always extremely interesting. One caution: Ned Bradford's book of the same name is a CONDENSED version of these 4 volumes and is a very poor substitute for this 4-volume set. As a Civil War "buff" of 25 years, I consider this some of the best reading I have ever come across. (If you ever visit a particular battlefield, these books are the only ones you will need to bring along.) This series of 4 books is something that you will read with delight - and refer to again and again.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Battles & Leaders of the Civil War: The Struggle Intensifies, September 19, 2002

By 

Joe Zika "Khemprof" (Cincinnati, Ohio) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Battles and Leaders of the Civil War Vol. 2: Struggle Intensifies (Hardcover)

Battles and Leaders of the Civil War: The Struggle Intensifies is the second installment of a four volume set about the Civil War written by eyewitnesses to the battles described. This series opened with "The Opening Battles," this volume is "The Struggle Intensifies," next is "The Tide Shifts," and the final volume is "Retreat with Honor." As with the first volume, the second has well written accounts of the battles fought as it opens with the capture of Fort Pulaski, Georgia and next with New Orleans.

We begin to see the strategy emerge as point and counterpoint in these battles play out. There is a summary of why there were operations in the far Southwest along with accounts of the Virginia battles of Yorktown and Williamsburg, but there is more as the Peninsular Campaign intensifies. The second battle of Bull Run is well represented here and there are excellent maps, charts, and engravings by the most prominent artists of that era. This said, you'll find that reading these very interesting accounts will bring emotions to the forefront, just as these men were experiencing them first hand. Acoounts of both view points are presented... South and North are fairly represented.

I found that Brigadier-General John D. Imboden, C.S.A. as he relates Stonewall Jackson's accounts in the Shenandoah to be priceless giving this volume balance. And of course there is Lee's campaign opposing Pope which is enlightening to say the least.

If you read about the Civil War, this series of books is a must for your library and is ideal for reference when reading other works about this tumultuous time in our history. These volumes are recognized as an outstanding account of the history of this war that writer use for reference... now you can read what that person wrote about his account first hand.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book of a 4 Volumes Set, August 18, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Battles and Leaders of the Civil War Vol. 2: Struggle Intensifies (Hardcover)

I have the 1956 version of this book called, "Battles and Leaders of the Civil War: North to Antietam" - one of the most captivating books on the Civil War that I have ever read. This book is simply the lastest publication of the same book. The book, one of a 4-volume set, is composed of articles and letters published in "The Century Magazine" from 1865 to about 1885 - all by Civil War participants (mostly generals, with the occasional private, colonel, major mixed in). Through their eyes you get the battle as they saw it: "close up and personal". The editors (who were also the editors of "The Century Magazine" in the 1880's) have extensive footnotes to clarify and/or correct information in the authors' articles, plus numerous maps and photographs of the scenes (in the 1860's and 1880's). The maps are invaluable to the reader, showing in great detail the positions of even regiments and artillary batteries. This information proved most useful when I recently visited the South Mountain and Antietam battlefields in person. Using the maps I could pinpoint and follow troop movements with little or no guess-work. This book is a great reference and a fun read. It is full of "what happened", not "what should/might/could have happened"; and, as such, it is most refreshing. (I might add that some parts are actually entertaining and often very amusing.) I recommmend it most highly. P.S.S, Millbury, Mass.