Customer Reviews

The Civil War: A Narrative (3 Volume Set)

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If you have any serious interest in the Civil War, this is the place to start. With the possible exception of McPherson's "Battle Cry of Freedom", this is the best narrative of the Civil War ever written. Shelby Foote, the gray-bearded, southern-accented man who added so many insights to Ken Burn's "Civil War" presented on PBS, presents a comprehensive picture of politics, battles, strategy, personnel, and the utter devestation the war wreaked across the south. There are hundreds and hundreds of books that have been written about this tragic period in American history but few draw the reader into the events like this trilogy. Mr. Foote's research is daunting and evidence of a life poured into the study of this time period. His prose is concise and a joy to read. This is the gold standard that all Civil War books are judged by.

Until reading this set, I didn't know much about the Civil War, and frankly didn't have much interest in it.

That said, these volumes do an outstanding job of recounting both the macro military/political issues and the anecdotes and detail which make history come alive. The author does a great job of using various quips and quotes from the soldiers and officers to illustrate broader points about morale of and conditions in both armies. For instance, at one point General Bragg called in a private who reported that the Union army was in retreat; after questioning the trooper, Bragg scoffed at his report, saying that private probably didn't even know what a retreat looked like. The private replied that he surely did know, because he had been under Bragg's command for the last two campaigns...Maybe serious Civil War buffs will have encountered all of these materials before, but I found that they really brought the books to life.

Both the battles and campaigns leading up to them receive detailed treatment, including many smaller battles and skirmishes. I am not really inclined toward one side or another, but generally found that the coverage of the two sides was about equal and objective, although the author certainly has favorite generals, while others, such as Thomas, get less favorable treatment than I've seen elsewhere. While this is primarily a military history, it also provided excellent coverage of the various political considerations and the close-run and momentous presidential election of 1864.

A fantastic set if you have lots of time on your hands. I actually listened to the book (unabridged) on audio book, and was disappointed when it finally ended.

Even though almost 3000 pages in length, this book is well worth your time if you want a well written, comprehensive, informative and entertaining history of the American Civil War. Shelby Foote has managed to consistently produce accurate and literate history throughout his opus. I have read all of Bruce Catton and James McPherson as well as numerous other biographies and unit, local and campaign histories of the Civil War. Although well read, I can not claim to be an expert on the Civil War and am unable (and unwilling)to verify all the facts and information contained in his book, but if Foote is inaccurate in places as claimed by some, he has certainly managed to convey the scope and essence of the Civil War to his readers. The book reads not so much as an analysis of a distant conflict occurring 140 years in the past as a discussion of current events that happened just a short time ago. The author's descriptions and explanations of campaigns and personalities make the Civil War come alive and become more understandable to the contemporary reader.

In contrast to many histories which treat the western campaigns as occurring in the Shenandoah Valley, Foote gives equal treatment to the campaigns occurring in the western border states of Missouri and Kentucky and the Confederate littoral states of Florida, Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas in addition to the more commonly encountered battles of northern Virginia, the eastern border states, and the deep South. He even includes the action in New Mexico and Arizona! The book includes a complete description of naval action both North and South, the fresh water fleets and on the high seas. He explains social and economic aspects of the War on each side although necessarily the impact on the South was the most devastating. Local politics as well as cabinet level intrigues on both sides are highlighted along with diplomatic relations with Europe and Latin America. Although Foote's Southern perspective is apparent in his treatment of the Southern home front in Richmond and elsewhere, I did not detect any undue bias in favor of the Southern viewpoint as others have. I am willing to accept the author's claim to only have a viewpoint sympathetic to the underdog in the struggle. Undoubtedly, the South fought long, hard, and well and was finally exhausted and defeated by the the North's demographic and economic advantages. The maps of major campaigns and territorial changes are well done and save much confusion for the reader. I appreciated Foote including the military order of battle information helping to keep command relationships clear as changes were made.

There are a few very minor complaints to make. I believe that in a work of this length and comprehensiveness, notes and a bibliography would not only be helpful but are essential. At a length of almost 3000 pages, 50-100 pages of notes and sources would not be too much for the author and publisher to include and if one doesn't read these normally, their inclusion shouldn't bother anybody anyway. I understand the reasons given by the author for omitting his sources but would have liked to have them myself and am sure others agree. I also think that chapter length could have been pared somewhat from the hundred or more pages included within each chapter. Finally, I would have liked to have seen more photo illustrations especially portraits of the leaders mentioned in the book. While we all know what Grant and Lee and probably also Sherman and Jackson looked like, in a book of this length and topic I would have appreciated a photo gallery for those who are curious how Pierre Beauregard, Irvin McDowell, Leonidas Polk, John McClernand and others appeared during the conflict. The edition I read was printed in 1987 so perhaps more recent editions incorporate some of these suggestions. If not and Mr. Foote doesn't wish to devote any more of his life to this book, a competent research or graduate assistant should easily be able to incorporate some of these additions from Mr. Foote's notes and other available sources.

I am a US Civil War buff and have read quite a few books on the subject. From an audio-visual point of view, nothing comes close to the excellence achieved by Ken and Rick Burns with their long documentary on the war. A central anchor to that series is the (late) gentleman with the southern drawl, Shelby Foote. Having started out as a dramatic writer of some note, he turned his attention to the Civil War and spent about 25 years researching and writing this magnificent literary masterpiece. Anyone with enough time can read the statistics and stories that made the war what it was. However, you would need substantial talent to weave the whole story into a narrative, rather than a dry history. That is what Mr. Foote chose to do and he took criticism over his style. He had no footnotes, complained that they would just interupt the flow of the narrative style. I accept that his judgement was correct.

Over three very large volumes we read a story, a narrative, that refers to the war in very human terms, often sourcing the moment out of the letters written by average soldiers, anacdotes that add color and keep us turning the pages for more. There are few history books written in this way because it is difficult; you have to be a talented writer and paint with words on a large canvas. This Foote did with panache, humor, wit, context and a respect for both sides of the conflict.

Foote had his heros and rascals. He greatly admired southern legend Nathan Bedford Forrest, spoke of the ferocious capacities of Stonewall Jackson, captured the essence of both Lee and Grant and so much more. He gently but surely chastised McClellan for his weaknesses but kindly remembers his strengths. I challenge anyone not to be moved to tears as he recounts the final hours of General Lee's flight and then capitulation to General Grant.

There is so much to savor and if not 100% precise in all details the errors are minor when seen in the context of when it was written. I cannot imagine a better narrative history of that war to come into the language. Superb.

I recall returning from military service in 1964 finding not only Bruce Catton's trilogy but the first two of these volumes in print. The second volume had just been brought into print, and though the 3rd and final volume would not see print until 1974 they more than fulfilled the wishes of the publisher that they appear for the Civil War centennial being celebrated from 1961-65.

I've had these 3 volumes on my shelf down through the years and feel they along with Bruce Catton's centennial volumes are just about required reading on the American Civil War. For a novelist, and not a very successful one, these volumes made Mr. Foote's reputation while providing we readers of that long ago conflict winners where reading is concerned.

Though Mr. Foote is now gone, his massive works continue on, and I have very little doubt that they will not continue to do so for many decades.

Semper Fi.

Shelby Foote's The Civil War: A Narrative is a must have for any one who is interested in a factual account of this maga milestone in our country's history. Thourough and complete; this a major part of the life work of one of America's finest writers. An interesting note is that this entire three volume set was originaly written by hand with a fountain pen.

Too bad our education system doesn't require this as mandatory reading, it is that good. It took me most of the fall of 2005 to finish all 3 books, but was some of the best reading I have ever enjoyed. If you enjoy american history, or any historical reading , don't miss this one.

The classic Civil War narrative. Shelby Foote manages to maintain a degree of impartiality although his sympathies obviously lie with the Confederate States whose commanders are painted as heroic even in defeat. I first read these books as a child and they have lost none of their ability to enthrall and captivate a reader and to drag them headlong into understanding the conflict that shaped modern America. Reading Footes' superb narrative you can smell the cordite; hear the cannon fire; hear the Rebel yell; feel the musket balls plucking at your uniform, and zinging around you as you walk toward the enemy. The gut wrenching feeling of futility, men lost in a noble cause fighting an enemy that fought with virtually one hand (and both legs) tied behind their backs. This was a war that the North could only lose and the South could never win. The genius of Foote is that he blends all these strands together into a readable historical narrative and maintains objectivity.

Shelby Foote's "War" is simply the best multi-volume general history of the Civil War yet written. He brings to it not just exhaustive research but a novelist's eye for a good story. If you want more than just James McPherson's one volume history of the Civil War, "Battle Cry of Freedom," this is the place to start.

As everyone before me has mentioned, this series is one of the most in-depth and well-researched works ever put to paper.

However, what really is incredible to me is that this reads like a novel and not some dry history book. Foote's incredible talent for narrative truly brings the events alive and makes you feel like you were there. It makes the Civil War something so much more than a purely academic period of history into a riveting story.

So why does this matter? Well, in my opinion, many of the issues that you see the principle players struggle with many of the same issues that we are experiencing today. It drives home the importance of trying to find peaceful solutions to world issues rather than glibly going into war. Very few people appeared to grasp the magnitude of what they were embarking on in the months leading up to the Civil War. It reminds me of the talk leading up to the Iraq war -- that it would be over in a few weeks or months and yet it has lasted longer than the Civil War.

So to those that would believe that the events of over 150 years ago are irrelevant in today's world, reading this series makes you understand that those who forget history are truly condemned to repeat it.