Customer Reviews

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

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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.

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.

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.

This book is a terrific starting point for those that are "idiots" and for those who aren't to learn basic information on the Civil War. It's an easy-to-read and fun book, typical of most Idiot's Guides. Of course if you want more in depth knowledge of the Civil War, you'll have to do more research but this is a great way to start.

With the 150 year celebration of the start of the Civil War underway, there is no better means way to learn more about this conflict than to pick up a copy of The Complete Idiot's Guide to The Civil War.

This third edition by author Alan Axelrod follows the standard format of the Idiot's Guide series. Originally intended to deal with technical lessons like computers. The Idiot's Guide series can now be found on any subject. This, along with others that Axelrod has authored has now become useful supplement to students.

Axelrod took some time to share his insight into writing The Complete Idiot's Guide to The Civil War.

When asked "how did this series on the civil war come about?" Axelrod shared that he was given the assignment by his agent. A noted historian Axelrod used the format of The Complete Idiot's series to cover a broad approach to the understanding of the Civil War. The premise is that once you read through the book, you will have a good balanced mastery of the Civil War.
The author noted that "with an expected projection of fifty thousand new books on the Civil War within the next four years ranging from like the type kind of gun powder to specific battles of the Civil War, this area is a hot topic."

Axelrod stressed that "the renewal interest in the Civil War goes beyond the sesquicentennial celebration. The tone of the political climate reflects some of the themes of that era."

One example is the question of federalism versus state rights. The current political climate has a perception of an over reaching federal government authority over sovereign states.

As to misconceptions of the Civil War, it was far more complex that other conflicts in our military history. Many narratives have evolved that are simply not true. "Ultimately the Civil War was a period of confusion and mix motives," as we reflect on this period, "mythology, vivid personalities muddle an accurate portrayal of the Civil War", shared Axelrod.

Some areas that most students of history don't realize is that there were over ten thousand different battles. Emancipation of the slaves was a factor but less than 1800 families in the South owned slaves with soldiers volunteering for the conflict moved by private and patriotic motives.
One curious anecdotal observation is that citizens also identified with the individual states instead of a nation as a whole. Before the Civil War, most individuals would refer to themselves as Texans, Georgians, or their respected states instead of as an American.

With copies in the six figures in print, The Complete Idiot's Guide to The Civil War is a useful reference to learn a bit more about this conflict without bias.

If you're interested in the Civil War I recommend you read at least two books about it. This book is concise. It can be used as a reference or just read for enjoyment.

This book is a masterpiece. It is put in a great order and makes you feel like you're a part of this historic battle. I would recommend this to any history buff or someone who likes to read true history stories.

Right here you can begin to study the Civil War AND you will have a thorough reference book for everything else you read about the Civil War era including novels, historical novels, and history books. This is probably my most used Complete Idiot's Guide and I have a lot of them. I love learning about a variety of subjects and was surprised that I didn't really know much about the Civil War. I watched Dr. Gary Gallagher's "Teaching Company" lectures on the Civil War and used this book as a reference for more background biographies of the main characters of the time. The "Voices" and "Words of War" sidebars are useful and add even more interest. Appendix A is a Who's Who of the Civil War which is helpful to remember north or south affiliations. Appendix B is Major Civil War Sites and Appendix D is further reading. Now I am reading Grant's diary (fascinating) and a three book series by Bruce Catton. This book is SO worth the price!

Great book. Tells me a lot about the Civil War that I didn't know. However, I was disappointed by Alan Axelrod's list of recommended fiction books. What happened to the NORTH AND SOUTH TRILOGY by John Jakes? And the SAVANNAH QUARTET by Eugenia Price? Nor did I see FREEDOM by William Safire, JUBILEE by Margaret Walker or GRANT'S WAR by Ted Jones. Surely, any of these novels are just as good as GONE WITH THE WIND or THE OLDEST LIVING CONFEDERATE WIDOW.

The author debunks "Southern" myths about the so-called "War Between the States" and correctly attributes the origins of the war to a greedy slave-owning patriarchy that sought to extend slavery to other parts of the US and indeed the rest of the hemisphere.

He clevery refutes the Southern justifications for aggression against the US with damning authority. For example, the issue of "States' Rights" was always a red herring on the part of rapacious and racist slave-owners for the maintenence of brutal and evil slavery.

The fugitive slave law could have been nullified by Northern States on the basis of "States' Rights" but the Southern States always howled about how federal law, IN THIS INSTANCE, had to be maintained.

The author points out that in the South, they only obeyed those laws that suited them.

This book would be a fine antidote to Foote's narrative and somewhat pro-Confederate "The Civil War" series.