Civil War Source Book [Paperback]

Philip Katcher (Author), Katcher (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

YA-- All of the small details Civil War buffs have always wanted--weapons, insignia, state infantry uniforms, pay scales, etc.--are offered here. Katcher's organization of material makes for a most readable account of this war. Many students will find it exciting enough to read from cover to cover. Beginning with the campaigns and battles, the author explains the military technology of the day, troop organization, and life in the services. Biographies of important leaders and a thorough glossary that includes period terms are appended. An abundance of photographs, charts, maps, and tables provide data that is invaluable. Boxes filled with newspaper stories of the day transport readers to the 1860s and provide a clear understanding of the war, the soldiers, and the civilians it touched. This is a book that should be in every high school and public library.
- Linda A. Vretos, West Springfield High School, VA
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Katcher's entry in the field of Civil War publishing will intrigue the legions of Civil War buffs who yearly consume vast quantities of writing. Not a traditional campaign history, this title focuses on the experiences, equipment, uniforms, and tactics of army, navy, and state forces of both sides. Short biographies of major figures and an annotated "Sources" section are provided, and illustrations and quotations or excerpts from first-person accounts abound. The book is organized by broad topic, which could make its use in a reference collection problematic; librarians may prefer to place it in the circulating collection. Middle-aged eyes may have problems with the small type, and a number of minor typographical errors will give the true Civil War aficionado the thrill of discovery while not materially affecting the value of the title. Recommended for libraries collecting widely on the Civil War.-- Stanley Planton, Ohio Univ.
Chillicothe Lib.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Checkmark Books (May 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0816038333
• ISBN-13: 978-0816038336
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,917,575 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One for the reference shelf . . ., July 1, 2003

By 

Michael K. Smith (South Louisiana) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Civil War Source Book (Paperback)

Anyone seriously interested in the American Civil War ends up with a sizable shelf of reference volumes, and this one should be on that shelf. After an introductory year-by-year summary of campaigns and major battles (easily found in many other sources), he discusses the organization, weapons, formal tactics, and actual practices for each branch of the service. This includes such uncommon units as the Mississippi Marine Brigade and the Indian Home Guards. Where else are you going to find the details of each state militia's formation and organization, both North and South, not to mention the standard uniform? Everything here is exemplified in hundreds of period photos with excellent captions (especially useful for militia uniforms), and there are numerous excerpts from personal reports, diaries, memoirs, and regimental histories. Katcher also includes short biographies of major military figures, each accompanied by a portrait (not the same ones you'll find in _Generals in Blue_ and _Generals in Gray_). And there are footnotes and short bibliographies throughout. An excellent ready-reference tool.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Nice semi-encyclopdia of the Civil War, November 7, 2009

By 

Steven A. Peterson (Hershey, PA (Born in Kewanee, IL)) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Civil War Source Book (Paperback)

This volume, put together by Philip Katcher, is very much like an encyclopedia of the Civil War, with many entries that provide background on this bloody conflict. Katcher says (Page 9): "This book is an attempt to gather many of the basic facts of that war under one cover: a brief chronological history of the war; how each branch of service fought the war, its tactics and weapons; the organizations, Union and Confederate, that were designed for specific tasks in the war, ranging from combat arms to many support and logistical units created specifically for this war."

The structure: Part I focuses on the campaigns of the Civil War, from the Eastern and Western Theatres in 1861 to 1865, with a list of battles, an explanation of why the war turned out as it did, and the naval war. Part II looks at the weapons and tactics of war, including infantry artillery, and cavalry tactics. Part III speaks of military life during the war. Parts IV and V look at the structure of the military in both north and south. Part VI? The militia of the various states. Part VII provides brief biographies of key leaders, including some who might not be as well known (such as Edmund Kirby Smith). The book concludes with some miscellaneous material as well as sources.

Not a great book, but it is good at what it does.