Customer Reviews

Civil War in Kentucky (Kentucky Bicentennial Bookshelf)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book explains in explicit detail the Civil War within Kentucky's borders. It explains Kentucky's importance as a strategic military buffer state for both the North and South. The Civil War in Kentucky explores the underlying political strife that shaped and piloted the Civil War in Kentucky. It touches on the effects this war had on ordinary citizentry. I liked the detailed and little known information included in this book. It gave the background behind many commonly known facts within the state. It was an interesting touch when Dr. Harrison added well selected quotes to backup his facts. However, I thought the book was extremely dry reading. It was difficult to get through the book.

This is a brief overview of a complex subject. It gives basic information on the political turmoil in Kentucky before, during and after the Civil War and on the few battles which took place in the state, including Morgan's raids. It spends little time discussing Kentuckian Confederate troops outside the state. I found this to be a useful basic introduction but to be very lacking in detail -- I understand the series of which it is part is intentionally made up of overviews. Missing from the book was much discussion of social history and socioeconomic and ethnic divisions within the state.

This little book is just that, an overview of the American Civil War in Kentucky. It covers all the main military thrusts into the Commonwealth, and its effects on the people. Recommended.