Customer Reviews

The Civil War: A Narrative, Volume 3: Red River to Appomattox (Part 3 of 3 parts)[Library Binding]

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Shelby Foote takes the Civil War and dissects its every twist and turn in a writing style that feels as if your hearing news from the front in an ongoing war. That is a good thing since these three volumes are very hefty. This book is not for the mildly curious, you will get bored and overwhelmed by the dates, names and places. But to military history, history, or civil war buffs, it is as detailed and factual as you could want. This is truly a thesis of study on the war between the states.

The book handles personalities of both individuals and cultures and their effects on the war. The reading can be slow going at times as armies march toward each other and the order of battle becomes established with the commanders names and stations, but the battle details seem incredibly well researched and the accounts of individual soldiers/officers bring home the reality of this conflict.

This book is well worth the effort to read, it imparts a sense of what the United States has survived and clarifies many historical perceptions of the era and the people involved in this massive conflict. My only suggestion, keep a note pad at your elbow as you read this book, it is slow going and you'll need to take notes about commanders and places to keep it all straight in your head.

Well, Mr. Footes trip tyk has been applauded for many years and most of it is said. Being a non-american, I can only attest to the fact that Mr. Foote, in this, the final volume, stays clear of being a Civil War nerd, un-intelligable for non-americans. He as well, stays clear of being the sterile academic. His style is clear and displays a very good interest for the individuals. Great story telling without too much embellishing.

What he however does best, is to bring home the fact , that, of all conflicts, this was the true watershed of the U.S. The casualties were far higher than any other conflict , it was fought on native soil and the civilians were badly hit.

Forget the images of Bunker Hill, Iwo Jima or the landing in Normandie; the house of Mrs. Henry at first Bull Run is a better, and more personal, reminder of the price of war. And the effects are far more enduring than, let's say, Vietnam.

Oh, Shelby Foote's three-volume Civil War is a momentous work, unequalled in my years of research. I was right there, in each battle. I could smell the gunpowder and feel the concussion of the ordnance as it exploded, cutting my friend in half. Mr. Foote had the unique ability to deliver a work of non-fiction while taking the reader with him. At first, looking at all three volumes, the thought of 3,000 pages seemed a bit daunting. But I found every page human, real, and part of a huge story. I've studied the Civil War for many years....read a book on Shiloh, then another on Antietam, scads of books about Gettysburg.

But Mr. Foote's work pulls everything together..the battles, the troop positions, the personalities of the men who fought their brothers over causes they believed in. The beginning, the end. He is so insightful, that for years I've believed he fought in that war in a previous life! My feelings about that are reinforced. This is a terrific literary work!

shelby foote has shown that he is the premier writer of this century..though his modesty wouldnt permit him saying that..i think he far surpasses all his mentors..percy,faulkner included!!!!

This series of books is a must read for any historian or Civil War enthusiast. Shelby Foote is an excellent, no-nonsense writer that doesn't fall prey to speculation or submits his own opinions in any way. As the title says, this is a clear narrative of historical fact, presented not as dull factual data, but weaving data to a coherent and pleasant reading.

As always ships right away and is just like it said it would be Thank You for the fast service!

Of the hundred or so histories of the Civil War that I have devoured, this stands at the top of the list. It is a weighty work, but one I have read a number of times. Shelby Foote has a way with language that is appetizer, entree and dessert with a fine wine thrown in. Not only does this work inform, it entertains at every word along the way. If this was the first history book that everyone read they would never think of history as dry -- it is simultaneously informative and like eating fine cuisine at that same time. This is a work to be savored and devoured. It stands in a class all by itself. If you have the time read all three volumes end to end... and then start all over again!

I love history. This is the best work on the Civil War I have read. We all know how it ends but I learned so much of how we got from A to Z; and the personal stories of the key and some minor players. Not a dry history tome this series reads like an Epic. I learned much and loved it. For example I now know why ladies of the evening are also referred to as Hookers. Not gonna tell. Read the books.

Shelby Foote has without question written the absolute best Civil War History books. The audio cassettes on his narrative history of the Civil War are therefore in my opinion the best way to pass the time while in traffic. Each of these cassettes are a history lesson but read and presented in both an interesting and entertaining way. The trip to and from work are looked forward to each day.

This is Part III of three excellent volumes by
Shelby Foote detailing events of the American
Civil War. It is pure history in a story telling
atmosphere. I enjoyed all three volumes.