Liberty, Virtue, and Progress: Northerners and Their War for the Union (North's Civil War) [Hardcover]

Earl J. Hess (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1997 | ISBN-10: 0823217981 | ISBN-13: 978-0823217984 | Edition: 2

Concentrating on ideology and cultural values, Liberty, Virtue, and Progress explores the motivations that casued Northerners to fight America's Civil War. Arguing for the primary significance of ideals and cultural values in defining a war, the book examines the opinions of both the Northern soldier and civilian about the meaning of the Civil War in terms of defining American nationalism, the character of the American people, and the future of free government. The book addresses the intellectual and social elites of Northern society, but gives a new emphasis to the opinions of the common man on the subject and ideology of the war. In addition to identifying and discussing the ideas and cultural values that played a role in motivation, Hess looks at how the experience of war (battlefield death and suffering) interacted with that ideology. Contrary to the commonly held belief that war is disruptive to pre-war ideals, Hess argues that Northern soldiers and civilians made a conscious effort to use ideology as a tool with which to retain their faith in ideas. Liberty, Virtue, and Progress is based on extensive research in both published and unpublished sources.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"[Hess] gives us the thinking American's Civil War." -- Charles Royster, Louisiana State University

About the Author

Earl J. Hess is Associate Professor and Director of the History program at Lincoln Memorial University.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 154 pages
• Publisher: Fordham University Press; 2 edition (January 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823217981
• ISBN-13: 978-0823217984
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,570,945 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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