The Civil War Dictionary [Paperback]

Mark Boatner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1991

For almost thirty years The Civil War Dictionary has been the most complete, authoritative, and handy reference book on what has been called the Second American Revolution, 1861-1865. Periodically updated throughout sixteen printings, this invaluable volume has more than 4,000 entries, alphabetically arranged and carefully cross-referenced. Among them:
-- 2,000 biographical sketches of Civil War leaders. both military and civilian
-- extensive descriptions of all 20 campaigns and entries on lesser battles, engagements and skirmishes
-- 120 armies, departments, and districts, as well as such famous smaller units as the Iron Brigade, the 20th Maine, and the Pennsylvania Reserves
-- plus naval engagements, weapons, issues and incidents, military terms and definitions, politics, literature, statistics, and 86 specially prepared maps and diagrams

Editorial Reviews

Review

"As fascinating to the war scholar as to the buff and the general reader ... an impressive store of facts, carefully assembled and carefully cross-indexed ... an indispensable handbook for Civil War reading and study." -- Associated Press

From the Inside Flap

For almost thirty years The Civil War Dictionary has been the most complete, authoritative, and handy reference book on what has been called the Second American Revolution, 1861-1865. Periodically updated throughout sixteen printings, this invaluable volume has more than 4,000 entries, alphabetically arranged and carefully cross-referenced. Among them:
-- 2,000 biographical sketches of Civil War leaders. both military and civilian
-- extensive descriptions of all 20 campaigns and entries on lesser battles, engagements and skirmishes
-- 120 armies, departments, and districts, as well as such famous smaller units as the Iron Brigade, the 20th Maine, and the Pennsylvania Reserves
-- plus naval engagements, weapons, issues and incidents, military terms and definitions, politics, literature, statistics, and 86 specially prepared maps and diagrams

Product Details

• Paperback: 1024 pages
• Publisher: Vintage (October 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0679733922
• ISBN-13: 978-0679733928
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,027,359 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Complete and compact; handy reference., April 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Civil War Dictionary (Paperback)

Useful to the serious or casual student of the Civil War. Clarifies troop movements and provides backgrounds on key organizations and personnel involved with the war effort. I always keep it handy when reading anything to do with the War and it always helps me understand even the most confusing aspects of troop movements, weaponry, etc. A standard in the field.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A GREAT REFERENCE BOOK FOR BOTH NOVICE AND OLD PRO, November 29, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Civil War Dictionary (Paperback)

I found Boatners book (hardcover)at a garage sale about 10-12 years ago. I placed the book in storage and rediscovered it just before a tour of the Gettysburg battlefield. I highly recommend this book to the novice just getting started on the battlefields of the Civil War or the old pro who needs to refresh or jog their memory. Anyone that must have small details of any battlefield, troop placement and or commanders that lead them, locations of assults, you name it, this book is a must. Take it with you as you walk the lines of battle, its invaluable!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must-have book for Civil War Buffs, June 30, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Civil War Dictionary (Hardcover)

There are only a few reference books available on the Civil War worth talking about, and this is the long-standing champion. Relative to its competition (notably The HTI Encyclopedia of the Civil War) the Civil War Dictionary's only flaw is that it doesn't include portraits of the various people who are the subject of the various entries. That really isn't much of a shortcoming. On the positive side, it includes information on just about every important person, battle, campaign, event, weapon, piece of equipment, place, or anything else you can name that has anything to do with the American Civil War. When I'm reading books on the ACW, I refer to it regularly (just looked up someone in it this afternoon). Highly recommended