The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Civil War, 2nd Edition [Paperback]

Ph.D., Alan Axelrod (Author)

Book Description

Series: The Complete Idiot's Guide | Publication Date: September 2, 2003

Includes a listing of Civil War re-enactments!

A comprehensive overview of America's bloodiest war-from the first shots fired at Fort Sumter to Lee's surrender at Appomattox. Featuring a clear chronology of major events and detailed explanations of key battles, this second edition includes:

€ Instructions on how to trace Civil War ancestry
€ An in-depth look at the weaponry
€ Coverage of the lesser-known but still pivotal battles
€ An expanded glossary and appendixes, and more

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Alan Axelrod is the author of over 50 books, including The Complete Idiot's Guide(r) to American History, The Complete Idiot's Guide(r) to Twentieth Century History, and The Complete Idiot's Guide(r) to the American Revolution.

Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Alpha; 2 edition (September 2, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592571328
• ISBN-13: 978-1592571321
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #918,622 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GRANT WINS A CLOSE ONE!, June 12, 1998

By 

Jeff Slater - See all my reviews

This review is from: THE COMPLETE IDIOT'S GUIDE TO THE CIVIL WAR (COMPLETE IDIOT'S GUIDES). (Paperback)

As a history buff, this book intrigued me from the get-go. After minoring in American History in college, I was under the impression that I knew a great deal about the Civil War...I was wrong. "The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Civil War" clarified terminology which I was unfamiliar, showed battle maps that I had never seen, and offered up some quotations from a variety of participants in this conflict that were incredibly enlightening. This was a page-turner, which is not a term that I would normally apply to a history book, but the term is appropriate. I was very impressed with the author's attention to detail, and I came away with information on the Civil War that I never knew existed. This book made such an impact on me, that I am going to purchase "The Complete Idiot's Guide to American History". If you are at all interested in the Civil War, this could be among the best investments you will ever make in both time and money.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good reading!, May 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: THE COMPLETE IDIOT'S GUIDE TO THE CIVIL WAR (COMPLETE IDIOT'S GUIDES). (Paperback)

An excellent book on the Civil War, however there is one major disappointment. Mr. Axelrod's coverage on the Vicksburg Campaign is most disappointing. He barely brushed on the fact in his rush to concentrate on the Eastern Theater, mainly Chancellorville and Gettysburg. He failed to mention Benjamin Grierson's Raid through Mississippi, the fact that Grant fought and won five battles to reach the eastern city limits of Vicksburg and that during the siege, he beseiged the city and at the same time, kept Gen. Joe Johnston at bay. Nor did Mr. Axelrod mention the fact that Sherman's March Through Georgia was based on Grant's Vicksburg Campaign.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The right place to begin for your civil war studies, April 11, 2004

By 

Tuvan Uner (Virginia,United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Civil War, 2nd Edition (Paperback)

I bought this book because I didnt know anything about the civil war conflict. After reading it I had a basic understanding
about what it was all about. In addition to slavery I found out that it was also between states rights as opposed to centralized government. This book gives a good overview of the causes and results of the Civil War struggle in addition to insights on the personalities,generals and politicians of the time. From the opening shots fires at Fort Sumter to Lee's surrender at Appomattox. This is a great place to start if you want more information on the Civil war.