The History Buff's Guide to the Civil War [Paperback]

Thomas R. Flagel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2003

Exploring the Civil War can be fascinating, but with so many battles, leaders, issues, and more than 50,000 books on the subject, the task can be overwhelming. Was Gettysburg the most important battle? Were Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis so different from each other? How accurate is re-enacting? Who were the worst commanding generals?

Thomas R. Flagel uses annotated lists organized under more than thirty headings to see through the powder smoke and straighten Sherman's neckties, ranking and clarifying the best, the worst, the largest, and the most lethal aspects of the conflict.

The History Buff's Guide™ to the Civil War covers:

• Antebellum: Investigates the critical years before the war, in particular the growing crises, extremists, and slavery.
• Politics: Contrasts the respective presidents and constitutions of the Union and Confederacy, the most prominent politicians, and the most volatile issues of the times.
• Military Life: Offers insights into the world of the common soldiers, how they fought, what they ate, how they were organized, what they saw, how they lived, and how they died.
• The Home Front: Looks at the fast growing field in Civil War research, including immigration, societal changes, hardships and shortages, dissent, and violence far from the firing lines.
• In Retrospect: Ranks the heroes and heroines, greatest victories and failures, firsts and worsts.
• Pursuing the War: Summarizes Civil War study today, including films, battlefield sites, books, genealogy, re-enactments, restoration, preservation, and other ventures.

From the antebellum years to Appomattox and beyond, The History Buff's Guide™ to the Civil War is a quick and compelling guide to one of the most complex and critical eras in American history.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Next year will be the 150th anniversary of what many historians consider to be the most pivotal point in our nation's history and this book is a must-have resource to that time. Laid out in easy-to-find and easy-to-read segments, it includes the pre-war antebellum time, politics, military life and the home front. (BuddyHollywood.com )

I have always found history to be extremely interesting. I can't believe how much I learned from The History Buff's Guide. Anyone who likes to learn about what happened in the past will appreciate this book. I give it five stars.
(Readaholic )

The History Buff's Guide to the Civil War will provide a deeper clarity and perspective on every aspect of the war. The Second edition complete with new content and updated lists will have you debating the new and intriguing questions.

(New York History ) --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Thomas R. Flagel teaches American History at Columbia State Community College in Columbia, Tennessee. He holds degrees from Loras College, Kansas State University, Creighton University, and has studied at the University of Vienna. He currently lives in Franklin, Tennessee.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Cumberland House; annotated edition edition (August 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581823711
• ISBN-13: 978-1581823714
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #628,177 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Thomas Flagel teaches American History at Columbia State Community College in Tennessee. He holds degrees from Loras College (B.A. History), Kansas State University (M.A., European History), Creighton University (M.A., International Relations), and has studied at the University of Vienna.

A national speaker, Board Member of the Franklin Civil War Round Table, and a Committee member of the Mayor's Battlefield Task Force of Franklin, Tennessee, he is currently working on two books involving Abraham Lincoln. Flagel currently lives in Franklin, Tennessee.

Fast Facts about Thomas Flagel:
Originally from Iowa, he has a great great great grandfather who served in the 2nd Iowa Infantry in the Civil War.

His great great uncle from the 47th Illinois Infantry was killed in the Battle of Corinth.

Is friends with bestselling novelist Robert Hicks.

Once lived in Austria, and the Czech Republic.

Is an avid road cyclist.

Was motivated to move to Franklin, Tennessee after reading the book Five Tragic Hours about the Battle of Franklin.

Speaks every year at the Gettysburg National Park during the battle anniversary celebration.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

52 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How to be a Civil War Buff, August 21, 2003

By 

Mike Bryant - See all my reviews

This review is from: The History Buff's Guide to the Civil War (Paperback)

Seinfeld character George Costanza asked the question "I wonder what it takes to be a Civil War buff?" This book is the answer. If you are new to Civil War studies, this book will help you make sense of all the information out there. Key figures, battles and social phenomena are explained in language that a novice can understand (after reading it, you'll finally know what a "flanking maneuver" is). He also approaches the topic with a touch of humor (his list of "ways to be a successfull re-enactor" is required reading as much for re-enactors as for those of us who question the sanity of wearing a wool tunic on a July afternoon). For those who've already earned their stripes as a "buff" this book is still essential reading. A fellow buff of mine and I have already had many lively debates about Flagel's ranking of the best and worst generals--George McClellan the second worst general in the war? Flagel makes his case, and whether you agree, disagree, or wish to drop a twelve-pounder on his toe, it gets the juices flowing.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Enjoyable and Informative Read, October 21, 2004

By 

Carlton R. Csiki (Willington, Connecticut) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The History Buff's Guide to the Civil War (Paperback)

The History Buff's Guide to the Civil War by Thomas R. Flagel was very informative and provided this individual with many bits of information that haven't been seen before.

As an individual who reads twenty or more civil war books each year I would strongly recommend this read to those who desire those little bits and pieces that are not usually found in more well known publications.

The book is well written and presented in very readable fashion.

Well done!

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Making history fun to learn, September 30, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The History Buff's Guide to the Civil War (Paperback)

The writing in this book is eloquent, evocative, and brings the Civil War to life. I've given copies of this book to my daughters who are in middle school and high school as well as to my older daughter to share with my Granddaughter (they live in the south and this book contains truth rather than historical fiction). I would recommend this book for every student who thinks history is boring - so they can find out it's not.