The Civil War (American Heritage Library) [Paperback]

Bruce Catton (Author)

Book Description

Series: American Heritage Library | Publication Date: June 1, 1985

This book is a fast-moving, dramatic narrative. Catton, a leading historian of the Civil War, vividly describes the armies involved and battles fought. His account of battles is carefully interwoven with the political activities of the Union and Confederate armies and diplomatic efforts overseas.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Everything we have come to expect from Catton: scholarly, judicious, clear and unfailingly interesting." The New York Times

About the Author

Bruce Catton is a contributor for Houghton Mifflin Company titles including: 'The Civil War' --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Mariner Books; First Edition edition (June 1, 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0828103054
• ISBN-13: 978-0828103053
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,353,412 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Introduction by the master, May 2, 2000

By 

John C. Mckee "cmckee6" (Spring TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Civil War (American Heritage Library) (Paperback)

I have to agree with a prior reviwer in that this is a very good book for one just beginning to delve into the sad, glorious, heroic, sordid and heartbreaking tale that is the American Civil War.

This book serves as a fine outline of the beginning, prosecution and conclusion of the war. It is a slim volume so do not expect a extensive economic analysis of the conditions prior to the war, political events leading up to the war or during it; but as a brief overview of the war it is as good as it gets.

Catton is lyrical and easy to read as usual; a fine preview to his Army of the Potomac Trilogy.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Overview of the Civil War, January 20, 2001

By 

Wayne A. Smith (Newark, DE) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Civil War (American Heritage Library) (Paperback)

This is a book for the person who wants the essence of the Civil War told by an engaging writer.

Bruce Catton is one of the best Civil War writers of the last fifty years. His detailed studies of aspects and campaigns of the war set the standard for CW writing for many who take more than a casual interest in the subject. This book displays his easy writing that mixes interesting facts with a style that never bores or bogs down in academic prose.

For the student or curious who want the broad sweep of the war explained in a couple of hundred pages this book is excellent. Its all here: the orignis, major campaigns in the East and West and the politics that often defined the conflict. Strictly an overview, it is not for the serious CW reader, but would serve as an excellent starting point for someone looking to begin an affiliation with America's most significant conflict.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A fine basic summary, August 29, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Civil War (American Heritage Library) (Paperback)

This is a great book to read if you are just beginning to learn about the Civil War. Catton, best known for his biography on Abraham Lincoln, gives an understandable basic summary of why the war started, how it progressed, and how it ended. I wish it would have gone into more detail about the strategy used, but otherwise well done.