Customer Reviews

The Blue and the Gray: Volume 1: From the Nomination of Lincoln to the Eve of Gettysburg (Classic History of the Civil War , Vol 1)

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Just the notes connecting the first person peices of these volumes make for a good history of the Civil War! They're short but good. But that is not the point. The accounts themselves are by soldiers (and sometimes civilians) written as they lived the adventure and tragedy of the Civil War. Cavalry raids come to life. Battles materialize before your eyes. Even the "dull" days of waiting are filled with a vibrance. All this is done, not by "authors" but by folks like you and me. And it is true from the begining to end. The descriptions of the very first shot of the war at Fort Sumpter are absolutely paralyzing! They are from Mary Boykin Chesnut. And there is the Indiana farm boy who got the news that the war had begun while husking corn with his father. His surprise and sense of excitment riveted me almost as though I hadn't known of the war myself before I read his account. From these beginnings to Appomatox, this two volume series is a ripping good read. Buy these books! --- Scott Brundage

Commager stands along side the leading Civil War authors such as Bruce Catton. However, he would tell you he is more a "compiler" rather than writer, but not so. It is true that he has compiled a wonderful collection of writings from the period, but he has included his own historical foundations and frameworks prefacing each offering. He then has placed them in categories that are easy to follow. Although impossible not to overlap (due to the information delays of the period), they remain in a chronological order that is wonderful reading as well as great for study and research. The less studied political climates are solidly captured here.
Perhaps Commager does not want to stand along side of such contributers as Illinois Major Connelly who's classic writing style is simply amazing. Yet he is very good in his own right, particularly when he pulls no punches such as his opinions of Braxton Bragg's strategic blunders.
Commager seemed very aware of the similarities in his effort to the series "Battles and Leaders of the Civil War" and sought to avoid very much duplication of that work. The result is an excellent companion to that essential set. I have them side by side on my shelf. BTW, there are several paperback versions "The Blue and the Gray". I replaced my earlier purchase for these volumes (Meridian 1994) as they are a little bigger and more attractive.