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Drawn with the Sword: Reflections on the American Civil War

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Just in case you had any doubt - James McPherson is our preeminent contemporary historian on the American Civil War. McPherson may have his biases - as do we all - but his method, his analysis and his arguments are cogent and deep-rooted in facts derived from thorough (and thoughtful) research. This collection of essays is a bit of a two-for-one deal - we receive the benefit of McPherson's commentary on a wide range of ACW topics - from Who freed the slaves? To Why did the North Win? - while at the same time connecting to leads on ACW books we may not have otherwise read (most of the essays are book reviews of one sort or another). One of McPherson's strengths is his willingness to take a risk and make a definitive, convincing statement (much like his heroes Grant and Lincoln) on a subject which his peers may discuss ad nauseum only to shrink from presenting any conclusion. McPherson is a great lover of Lincoln, Grant, Sherman (and the Northern perspective in general) and has little sympathy for the "Lost Cause" subscribers. However, whatever the reader's bias, McPherson's arguments on Lincoln's place in history, and the significance of the Northern victory in the ACW far beyond that time and place in history are convincing. McPherson shows his even-handedness when he refutes Alan Nolan's unjustified, unfounded criticisms of R. E. Lee (Nolan's book 'Lee Considered is reviewed). A fitting conclusion to 'Drawn With the Sword' is McPherson's essay 'What's Wrong with History?' The answer is: self-serving, elitist historians, but the discussion would be applicable to any of a number of academic disciplines. This is a first-rate collection of thoughtful and thought-provoking essays by one of the few truly first-rate ACW historians. Most highly recommended.

James McPhereson has proven himself with "Battle Cry of Freedom" (the best one volume treatment of the Civil War) and "Why the Fought". This book is a collection of his essays and lectures on various Civil War topics. As such, it lacks the central theme of a book. It does, however, allow one of America's most learned CW historians to range over vairous topics and explore them with his insightful thinking and clear, bold prose.

The topics are varied, from a look at the origns of the war, why it turned out the way it did, the continuing impact of the war on American society (with a nice discussion of the movie "Glory") as well as a collection of essays on the Enduring Lincoln. A nice endpiece looks at problems with current day historical scholarship and historians and is a good argument for getting that important field of study back on track and away from the political agenda that has unfortunately subverted the purpose of many historians.

This is a good book for the reader who knows something of the war and enjoys an intellectual treatment of various war topics that go beyond storytelling. An important and telling addition to Civil War scholarship that will appeal to the layman as well as the deep reader.

Professor James McPherson's book is a collection of essays exploring the American Civil War. These essays have appeared in print elsewhere, and most of them are reviews of other Civil War -related literature, including recent scholarly studies, the novel, "Uncle Tom's Cabin", and the movie "Glory", which focused upon the attack by Federal African-American troops upon Fort Wagner, South Carolina, in July, 1863. These essays are the product of a masterful historian who has been able to distill a great deal of factual information, reflect upon it, and present his analysis of the significance of the Civil War in an eloquent and persuasive way.

The book consists of fifteen essays arranged in five sections. The first section "Origins of the Civil War" consists of three essays focusing on the pre-Bellum South and on how its culture and commitment to its peculiar institution of slavery brought on the War.

The second section of the book, "The War and American Society" consists of four essays that discuss broadly the significance of the Civil War for future generations of Americans, the transformation of the War from a limited conflict to a "total war" that changed the fabric of American society, and on the effect of the War on the status of African-Americans, including the discussion of the movie "Glory" mentioned earlier.

The third section of the book, "Why the North Won" will be of interest to students of the military aspects of the War. (Professor McPherson does not denigrate this kind of study, as do some academic historians.) There are four essays, the first two analyze why the North won the War and why the South lost. The third essay in this section rehabilitates Robert E. Lee from some recent criticism of his leadership; while the final essay focuses on Ulysses Grant's "Personal Memoirs" written near the end of his life, which is a literary masterpiece as well as a book revealing Grant's character and generalship.

The fourth section of the book "The Enduring Lincoln" consists of three essays reexamining Lincoln's role in setting and persevering in the aims of the War, in freeing the slaves, and in keeping the hopes of a democratic society alive in a world which was hostile to government "by and for the people."

The final section of the book consists of a single essay titled "What's the Matter with History?" This essay discusses the three types of reader interested in reading about the Civil War" the professional historian, the amateur student of battles, sometimes called a Civil War "buff", and the mythical "general reader". McPherson laments the inability of professional historians to write books appealing to an audience of anyone other than their peers. It is a shortcoming that Professor McPherson's own writings manage brilliantly to avoid.

This is not a book of facts and figures, dates and statistics. It is a book of historical reflection that will help the reader think about the meaning and importance of our country's Civil War.

James McPherson is considered by many to be the greatest Civil War historian in the US these days. His one-volume classic about the War, Battle Cry for Freedom, is the one most recommended to those who want the best book about the war. Therefore, it was with great interest that I read Drawn with the Sword.

McPherson does not disappoint with this book which is really a series of essays about various topics from the war. The essays range from Why the South Lost to Who Actually Freed the Slaves. Based mostly on previous articles and lectures, all the essays are excellent, and McPherson pulls no punches during his detailed analysis. For example, McPherson disputes the claim by some recent social historians that argue that the slaves freed themselves, and that Lincoln played a reluctant part in the process. McPherson clearly lays out the argument that Lincoln went to great lengths to ending slavery, and that without him it probably would not have happened.

McPherson also gives his educated opinion about Lee's performance as a general, and whether or not the South actually could have won the war. Two topics which I find fascinating because they are so disputed, even among professional historians. Speaking of historians, I particularly liked McPherson's final essay about the challenge that professional historians face when trying to bring history to the masses. He offers a fresh glimpse into this problem, and spells out the potential danger that historians face by making themselves irrelevant to the general public. To find out more, read the essay.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is a student of the American Civil War, like myself. The essays will add to your knowledge, and broaden your perspective of the war. If you are new to this part of history, I recommend that you start instead with McPherson's Pulitzer Winning book about the war, Battle Cry of Freedom.

Drawn With a Sword is the best explanation and examination of the imapct of the Civil War yet published, particularly in a one volume edition. McPherson's essays clearly define what the Civil War was fought over and he is especially good at explaining why we Americans continue to hold the Civil War in such fascination. His characterizations of both North and South and their various leaders give the reader many new insights as to the how and why of the War. Any reader with only a cursory understanding of the War will come away with a much deeper and clearer one after reading this book. I cannot recommend it highly enough

More than just a military book about the American Civil War, this book shows how the war impacted the regular population, economy and countryside. McPherson is one of the best ACW authors along with Buell and Foote.

McPherson reviews other historians' arguments concerning fundamental origins and drivers of the Civil War, addresses them with insight and consideration and then weaves them into conclusions that carry the whole understanding to a higher plane. For example, his analysis of why the North won the war is masterful: Northern ability to deploy industrial and other resources (at the top of a higher pyramid of literacy, solvency and economic diversity), Lincoln's rather than Davis' leadership and finallly, generals who understood the total strategy (Lee only saw Virginia; Grant and Sherman understood the whole theater). The greatest contribution, however, is his explication of the core thrust of Lincoln's rewriting of the Constitution, bringing it (with gentle, total force of will) into conformity with the Declaration of Independence's central value of liberty.

This book is a series of essays written by James McPherson on various topics relating to the civil war and that period of history. It is very easy reading and provides many insights into that period of US history, the people of that period and the issues confronting North and South. I enjoyed the read and found it enlightening without being too academic.

James McPherson is one of the leading experts on the Civil War. One of his major works, "Battle Cry of Freedom," is a wonderful source on the many aspects of the Civil War, some of which are not so often considered by other historians. His examination of the common soldiers' letters is eye opening as to what the troops were thinking, what motivated them, and so on.

This is an edited volume, composed largely of essays published over time. The author revised these to make the volume more coherent and have the essays "fit together" better. He notes that he is writing for three audiences simultaneously (always something of a danger): professional historians, Civil War buffs, and the general reader. In my judgment, he succeeds much better than one might have guessed.

The book is divided into several parts. Part I explores the origins of the Civil War (including the impact of "Uncle Tom's Cabin"). Part II considers the war and American society (including the evolution of the Civil War from a limited to a total war and the roles of race and class with respect to the war). Part III considers why the north won (and why the south lost). Part IV considers Abraham Lincoln's place in the war and in American history. Finally, Chapter 15 (the only chapter in Part V) looks at the various audiences that McPherson is writing for, with the provocative questions serving as the chapter title: "What's the matter with history?"

A bit more detail on some chapters illustrates his work. Chapter 7 is "The 'Glory' Story," looking at the movie on the 54th Massachusetts, an African-American regiment formed in Boston and the environs. The chapter, first, notes that the movie did pretty well in terms of historical accuracy and captured a mood. He also notes the errors, from minor to more major. On a minor side, the attack against Fort Wagner by the 54th is in the wrong direction--but that was because it was filmed on a location where they could not quite get that right. On the more significant side, most of the troops were not former slaves, as suggested by the movie. Chapter 9 is entitled "How the Confederacy almost won." Interesting reflections here. McPherson notes that the Union A team of commanders--Grant, Sheridan, Sherman, Thomas--fought against the Confederate B team, such as Braxton Bragg and John Bell Hood, in the west and simply, outclassed them. In the east, Lee outclassed the Union B team, such as McClellan, Burnside, and Hooker. Once some of the Union A team came east, the Confederates lost their main advantage.

This is an enjoyable book, which speaks nicely to multiple audiences. If you are a Civil war aficionado, this book should interest you.

I saw the picture for the 1997 version (green and black)as I needed it for school, so naturally I ordered it. To my severe dissappointment I received the 1996 version with a burgundy and blue cover. This is frustrating when you think your getting something your not.