Civil War Sites: The Official Guide to Battlefields, Monuments, and More [Paperback]

Civil War Preservation Trust (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 25, 2003 | Series: Civil War Sites

Within this easy-to-use guide, completely revised and updated in clear, concise prose, are more than 500 sites in 28 states--solemn battlefields, gracious mansions, state parks, cemeteries, memorials, museums, and more. Specific directions, hours, and contact information help to plan the trip; evocative description and detailed maps help orient you when you're there. As a new addition, boxed sidebars authored by Congressmen and historians passionately articulate many events of the Civil War.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Civil War Itch has never been so strong. Clinically defined as the ceaseless urge to think, see, and breathe all things Civil War related, it won't go away, so you might as well scratch. The Civil War Trust's "Official Guide" is an indispensable travel reference, including exact directions, admission fees, hours, services, and what you can expect to see and do once you get there. A brief history of the Civil War period is presented for War Buff novices, and all the details are there for reenactment aficionados. ... includes battlefields, homes, railroad stations, cemeteries, and parks. It highlights the Ford Theatre where Lincoln was shot, the Antietam National Battlefield where the nation's bloodiest one-day battle was fought, Mississippi antebellum plantations, and Port Hudson, Louisiana--where hundreds of African American soldiers died. Stretching from New Mexico to Maine, Minnesota to Texas, the Trail traipses through 28 states and presents more than 500 sites, so you can choose your favorite vacation region and explore what's there, or select the sights most significant to you and go on a pilgrimage. Either way the fine maps will help you orient yourself and plan your trip. "
--Amazon.com
(praise for 3rd edition)

From the Back Cover

Easy-to-use, comprehensive, and completely up-to-date, Civil War Sites is your indispensable travel guide to more than 500 Civil War-related sites in 31 states and the District of Columbia. Whether you're a Civil War buff or just interested in planning a family trip to explore our nation's past, this authoritative guide is for you.
With Civil War Sites in hand, visit battlefields, antebellum mansions, state parks, cemeteries, memorials, museums, and more, from Fort Sumter, South Carolina, to far-flung locales in California and New Mexico.
Inside you'll find: sites organized by region and listed alphabetically by state; specific directions, hours, admission fees, discounts, and contact information; helpful maps to orient you to site locations; information about reenactments and special events; a brief historical look at a nation divided; compelling commentary by noted historians and members of Congress.
The Civil War Preservation Trust is a private, nonprofit organization with more than 36,000 members across the country. Their mission is to promote appreciation and stewardship of our nation's historical, cultural, and environmental heritage through preservation of significant Civil War sites and through supporting preservation and education programs.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Globe Pequot; 1st edition (February 25, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 076272515X
• ISBN-13: 978-0762725151
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,229,244 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A thorough guide to everywhere Civil War, October 26, 2003

By 

J. J. Kwashnak "voracious reader" (Monroe, LA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Civil War Sites: The Official Guide to Battlefields, Monuments, and More (Paperback)

For any history buff in the United States, the Civil War has provided a plethora of places where history has taken place. This book takes these places and brings them all together in one package for a wonderful reference book. Organized by region then state and finally by town, the book takes you around the country a give you a thorough, sometimes too thorough, listing of sites related to the American Civil War. This guide goes beyond simple battlefields and monuments as listed in many guides. Rather it tries to show you all the related areas too, including museums with Civil War exhibits, and historical buildings that played any sized part in the war including as temporary headquarters or as battlefield hospitals. Sites include directions, web sites and hours to help you plan your visit. And each entry is given nearly equal weight, so a major battlefield and the buildings along the way are both noted. This book is a great overview for looking what's out there. Coupled with a good battlefield guide you are ready to trace a major part of US History.

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The title should be "The Dummies Guide to Civil War Sites", March 10, 2003

By 

B. J. Hillier (Manassas, VA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Civil War Sites: The Official Guide to Battlefields, Monuments, and More (Paperback)

Organized very well. I like the regional indexes and then the break down by state. I live in the heart of civil war sites (Manassas, VA) and am very excited to start checking off what I've seen in the surrounding areas. Great photos - helpful maps - and interesting tidbits scattered throughout the book. And last but not least . . . the perfect size to keep in the glove box of my car.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Atlas Of A Nation At War, May 17, 2006

By 

K. Fontenot "Prairie Cajun Regenerated!" (Louisiana) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Civil War Sites: The Official Guide to Battlefields, Monuments, and More (Paperback)

Brought to us by the Civil War Preservation Trust, "Civil War Sites: The Official Guide To Battlefields, Monuments, and More," is just that, a wonderful guide to any and everything pertaining to the Civil War. It breaks down the nation into six major regions, from the Southern Heartland to the Northeast, and then breaks those regions into a state-by-state, city-by-city travel guide for anyone interested in the Civil War.

It includes admission fees(if any), hours of operation, directions, and a list of special events at each location. It gives a brief overview of each site and includes maps, website addresses, driving directions and plenty of other information that helps the reader in their travels.

Another wonderful aspect of this book is the sidebar commentaries provided by congressmen, historical tidbits such as the origination of "Dixie," and brief glimpses into the everyday life of the Civil War soldier.

I've visited many of the sites listed in this book, but just a quick glimpse into this book makes one realize just how much territory the War Between The States covered. Whether you follow in the footsteps of Billy Yank or tear-up when the band plays "Dixie," this guide is essential to anyone's journey through the tumultous events that comprised the American Civil War.