Amazon.com 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.
The Civil War Discovery Trail is a concept launched by the Civil War Trust, which has lobbied Congress and secured funds to preserve quite a few historical sites. Their Trail 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.
You can read about someone else's journey in books like Tony Horowitz's Confederates in the Attic, or guide book in hand, you can hit the Civil War Discovery Trail for yourself. --Stephanie Gold
From the Back Cover
"This updated and expanded edition of the Civil War Trust's guide will prove invaluable." —Historic Traveler "For travelers and tourists who enjoy delving into the legacy of the Civil War and its effect on the national consciousness, The Civil War Trust's Official Guide to the Civil War Discovery Trail…is an indispensable travel reference." —Kentucky Civil War Journal The Civil War Discovery Trail tells the real story of the Civil War and its impact on America, from the first shot fired at Fort Sumter to Lincoln's fateful last night at Ford's Theater—and only the Official Guide to the Trail can take you there. Inside you'll find:
- A description of more than 500 sites in 28 states: solemn battle-fields, antebellum plantations, Underground Railroad sites, historic homes, state parks, cemeteries, memorials, museums, and more
- All the details: exact directions, admission fees, seasons and hours, visitor services—and what to see and do once you get there
- An easy-to-use, state-by-state organization that lets you locate the sites quickly and easily
- A brief historical look at a nation divided, plus an overview of each state's role in the War
- Complete information on reenactments and special events
- Detailed, accurate orientation maps that help you plan the itinerary that's right for you
The Civil War Trust
® Enriching Our Future by Preserving Our Past. Sales of this book support the preservation of historic Civil War sites. Find us online at www.frommers.com
