Insiders' Guide to Civil War Sites in the Southern States, 3rd (Insiders' Guide Series) [Paperback]

John McKay (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2005 | Series: Insiders' Guide Series

Civil War history buffs will love this unique travel guide to the South's most famous and infamous battle sites, including historical background, directions to hard-to-find locations, and tips on where to stay, eat, and shop.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

For more than twenty years, the Insiders' Guide® series has remained the essential source for in-depth travel information. Each guide is written by locals and true insiders and offers a personal, practical perspective that readers everywhere have come to know and love.
From the Outer Banks of North Carolina to the Mississippi Delta, enter the world of Civil War history and reenactment. Insiders' Guide to Civil War Sites in the Southern States is your comprehensive travel guide to the South's most famous, and infamous, battle sites. Inside you'll find detailed accounts of battles in North and South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, and Louisiana, along with:
" excerpts from the diaries, letters, and memoirs of the men who fought in this war
" a glossary of Civil War terminology
" special features on military and civic leaders
" directions to the most hard-to-find locations
" helpful listings of restaurants, lodgings, shopping, and special events in each area
Whether you're an American history buff or simply planning your next vacation to the South, let Insiders' Guide to Civil War Sites in the Southern States show you everything you need to know.

About the Author

John McKay spent fifteen years as a firefighter and paramedic before turning his interests into teaching and writing history. His main inspirations were his great-grandfathers on both sides of his family, Confederate veterans almost killed or badly wounded during the war. McKay has been a freelance writer and photographer for commercial magazines, newspapers, and academic and literary publications.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Insiders' Guide; 3rd edition (March 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0762734078
• ISBN-13: 978-0762734078
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,274,015 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I am a military historian by profession, and teach history & government subjects at Gwinnett Christian Academy, in Snellville, Georgia. My fifth book is coming out in the spring of 2012, "Speaking Ill of the Dead: Jerks in Georgia History," published by The Lyons Press. It is a somewhat serious, but still highly opinionated, look at some of the most nefarious and notorious characters in pre-WWII Georgia, including pirates, criminals, pyromaniacs, politicians, guerilla fighters, mass murderers, and criminal incompetents of several types.

In a former life, I served in the U.S. Army and Georgia Army National Guard; was an EMT/Paramedic and later a firefighter and firefighting instructor with several different departments in and around Atlanta; worked as a sport scuba divemaster, a docent and historian for a small state museum, and a stringer for several small town newspapers, all while trying to decide what I wanted to be when I grew up. I have taught high school since 1997, and attend New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, pursuing a call to ministry.

For more information on my work, plus other aspects of history and ministry, including many MP3 files of class lectures and sermons, go to my web page, The History Addict: http://historyaddict.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you've heard of the Civil War, you should read this book!, May 9, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Insiders' Guide to Civil War Sites in the Southern States (Paperback)

This book, although long, not only gives involved discussion of different sites and good directions from a man who has obviously been to all of these sights, but also a detailed account of what was going on at that time in the war. While a bit preachy at times, This book is very interesting, and reads as well as most novels. This book is not only an interesting read, but a travel plan that looks like a great option for this summer.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive for the Can't-Get-Enough-of-those-CW-Battlefields Traveler, March 27, 2006

By 

Wayne A. Smith (Newark, DE) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Insiders' Guide to Civil War Sites in the Southern States, 3rd (Insiders' Guide Series) (Paperback)

Southern in terms of south of Virginia, Kentucky, Arkansas and east of Texas. This book focuses on Civil War sites in the deep south.

If your thing is dragging the wife and kids to every CW site within fifty miles of your vacation jaunt, this book is for you. It is a handy guide with a glossary, information on the organization of armies and character close ups (though I think anyone who would pick up a book like this would know these items already).

The tour information is well organized by state with battle summaries (or "what-happened-here" descriptions), tour organization, points of interest, dining and accommodations and "what it looks like today" discussions.

For the serious CW traveler, a helpful guide.