Customer Reviews

Jersey Blue: Civil War Politics in New Jersey, 1854-1865

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I find Dr. Gillette's book to be very informative of the state of New Jersey during the Civil War period. However the book, comparing them to the likes of James McPherson's Battle Cry For Freedom, his book isn't very exciting, it is that there seems to be no enthusiasm about anything. The book's writing style is what needs work, that it to any average reader would find the book boring and dry. If there was something to grab one's attention or more excitement in the writing style it would be a better book.

I like to read local/state history covering the Civil War era. There are not too many books dealing with New Jersey. Jersey Blue though is a decent book, worth a read for any Civil War enthusiast. Gillette's main contention is that New Jersey was a loyal state, not a Copperhead dominated border state similar to Kentucky. Jesey voted McClellan in 1864, the only northern state to do so, but it elected a Republican governor in 1865 and was not dominated by Peace Demoracts, but war supporters like McClellan.
Yes, it is a little dry and a little too concerned with proving Jersey's fialty to the Union cause, but Jersey Blue is still worth a read.