Customer Reviews

The Library of Congress Civil War Desk Reference

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Even considering James McPherson's Battle Cry of Freedom, I really think this book is the best single volume on the entire war. It has been exhaustively researched, but it is written very well and is a true page turner, even at nearly 1000 pages. If you wanted to get at least a closer look at topics regarding the war, this is the place to start. Chapters are devoted to antebellum America, wartime politics, battles, the armies, weaponry, the naval war, prisons and POWs, medicine, the home front, reconstruction, and even a chapter on preservation issues. And inside every chapter there are great looks at the personalities on both sides and major issues, whether military or political or personal. Because it is both entertaining reading and so thoroughly researched, this book is truly a must have for a Civil War buff or someone just starting out. As a history buff, I highly recommend it.

I had been looking for something like this for years. A brilliant compendium of information, attractively laid out. Parts of it are well-written enough to read as narratives; other parts are mostly useful as references (similar to encyclopedia entries). Not aimed solely at the hard-core Civil War buff, but useful in the library of anyone interested in American history who wants a solid and user-friendly overview of virtually every facet of the Civil War.

If one wishes to have a single volume of the civil war in all its various aspects, one would be hard pressed to find a better treatise than the nearly 1,000 page Library of Congress Civil War Desk Reference.

It does not deal with the battles in depth as do so many other volumes on this epic struggle between North and South. Nevertheless, the battles on land and water are described and accompanied by many well executed maps. Descriptions of the armies and their weaponry are treated in detail, as is the treatment of prisoners of war. There are time lines on politics, slavery, naval encounters, and reconstruction.

The chapters that are most significant, from my point of view, are those that deal with nonmilitary aspects of the war: the economic differences of the north and south, the importance of religion in the lives of Americans, a brief account of slavery in the United states, a history of the beginning and development of the rift that led to the conflict. An excellent chapter of nearly one hundred pages deals with the politics the war. A rather grim, but enlightening, chapter discusses the treatment of the wounded (many amputations), the fight to control disease, and people important in establishing policy and organizing hospitals and field teams of doctors and nurses. A part of wartime history often relegated to the sidelines is the home front. A separate chapter on this subject corrects that neglected topic. A lengthy chapter considers the reconstruction following the end of hostilities. And where else but in this considerable tome would one find not only an account of the armies and battles but also one of the civil war in literature and the arts. After wading through this book, if your curiosity is stimulated to pursue a topic in greater depth then browse the final two chapters, where you will find lists and descriptions of civil war novels, poets and poetry, music, cinema, stage plays, and television movies and documentaries -- all dealing with the civil war. Also a list of organizations that promote the preservation of battlefields, others that document the civil war veterans and their descendants, reenactments of the war, a listing by state of major artifact and archival collections, and important publications on the civil war.

There is no single volume that is more wide ranging in its treatment of the civil war. The editors and the contributors are to be congratulated for putting into one highly readable volume almost anything one might want to learn about the civil war.

The Desk Reference contains more than 100 photographs, maps and numerous tables that provide interesting facts and information about the Civil War. It is well organized and contains an easy to use list of Contents. It covers all aspects of the war, from major armies and key battles to prisons, medical care and events occuring on the home front. It doesn't read as a novel because it's purpose is to become a good reference source. James MacPherson wrote in the Preface to the book, " You will soon be impressed. and you will soon be hooked. Your knowledge and understanding of this greatest of American wars will expand and deepen more than you thought possible from a single volume."

This uniquely done Desk Reference book from the Library Of Congress does a very deep dive into areas not always covered in other Civil War books! Causes of the War, in detail, key factors that effected the War or impacted battles or strategies makes this work a very worthwhile investment for anyone interested in knowing more about the War Between The States! With over two hundred books in my Civil War reference library, this one earned a place of honor!

There is no such complete book about civil war like this one.
Comprises everything about American Civil War you can imagine:
timelines, people, armies, weapons,medical care, maps, battles, politics...
It could be more illustrated as National Geographic Witness to the Civil War or should have at least few colour pictures and should have a bigger format to be more amazing perfect.
Even with the absence of these details due the magnificent text content there is no other rating possible than Five Stars.

This work is relatively easy to read. I do not believe it was written to be read, cover to cover. I believe it was written to serve as a general reference and "cross reference" - it does fulfill that niche.