Customer Reviews

A Savage Thunder: Antietam and the Bloody Road to Freedom

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(1)
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This Civil War book focuses specifically on the battle at Antietam. The first thing that stood out was the quality photographs; along with the illustrations and maps, they bring the personal accounts back to life. I also appreciated the quotes at the beginning of each chapter, such as "Boston hymn" by Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1863.

I was pleased that the preface clarified that the war was not fought merely over the issue of slavery. Rather, the Confederates fought for state sovereignty, giving the states the right to enact laws apart from the federal government. In contrast, the Union fought to preserve the unity of our country.

The author, Jim Murphy, focuses on the events leading up to this historical battle, as well as the strategies employed throughout. Murphy does not favor one side or the other, but presents the facts in a very enthralling and educational manner that is sure to hold the interest of any young history student.

I highly recommend this book to homeschoolers. Murphy's other books include An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793 (Newbery Honor Book) and The Great Fire.

Never in my life did I think I would read a war history book during my own free time and thoroughly enjoy it. I was never much of a history buff in my youth, but as an adult, I have developed a deep appreciation of how history shapes and effects modern day life. I was born and grew up (for 40 yrs in New York state). I moved to NC over 5 years ago. All I had known prior to moving to NC was being confident, outspoken, liberal, accepting, flexible, and fully immersed in (and completly enjoying) the vast daily cultural mix of America. Moving to NC was a huge eye opener to many things that are not so attractive. For the first time in my life I was seriously discriminated against, judged, felt the need to watch what I say and how I speak, and felt as if I didn't quite fit in. Now mind you, I have also been treated quite warmly and courteously by many strangers as well here in NC. Coming from NY I really felt accosted by the religious people who live here all trying desparately to convert me to their religion and attend their house of worship. The topic of religion comes before the weather here. So what does all this have to do with this book you ask. Well, one can not possibly read this remarkable front line history recount with out conjuring up how you feel about the Civil War. What stance is yours? How do you feel about Rebels, the Union, the Emancipation Proclamation, war itself? This book provides the very best accounting of the War of Antietam, the single bloodiest day during all of the Civil War when about 23,000 soldiers (and some civilians) lost their life fighting for what they believed at the time was the better cause. The book is filled with first hand quotes, hymns, battle cries/cheers/poems, as well as pictorial maps of country side battlefields, of attacks by whom and retreats of others. The history is horrific no matter what side you are on then or now and this book provides no candy coating in it's words, drawings, or photographs. I can not even recall the number of times I would look at a photo or drawing of someone in the book, read about their involvement in the war battle, only to have the next line state their demise of death. **This book is quite graphic (bloody and laten with tragedy) in both descriptions and photos.** I do not think it to be the wisest thing to allow any child to read this book without any adult present in order to direct discussions regarding thoughts and feelings which will be dramatically provoked by its' content. This is not a children's book, rather it is a book of incredible importantance in American history which should be discussed thoroughly for proper understanding and consideration. The author has done an excellent job in presenting the history in a most unbiased tone. I realize that the Civil War went on for years, but after reading this book, I can not impress enough it's wealth of factual information in a package of descriptive simplicity with various illustrations which will take your breath away and literally cause you to stop reading and reflect on what it means to be a free American, and what was paid to have your freedom.

This is a well-presented history of the Battle of Antietam. It's clearly explained with plenty of illustrations.

The intended audience is students who are old enough to be interested in a horrific Civil War battle and its repercussions. The item's listing says the reading level is ages 9-12, however, the subject matter seems too bloody for most 9 and 10 year olds, and even for many who are 11 and older. My personal feeling is that a student who is mature enough to deal with the horrors of war does not need to be written down to. There are some places where the writing sounds a bit like a textbook, with some strained sentences and not enough emotion. However, there are good things about the book that make it worth having in a library. Jim Murphy has taken a complex battle and made it understandable - not an easy task. He also made clear the events leading up to the battle, and deals with the key personalities in what seems to be a fair approach. Lincoln's use of the favorable outcome of the battle as an excuse to issue the Emancipation Proclamation is given the importance that it deserves.

This is a fairly quick read and should be appreciated by teens and adults who seek a clear overview of this important battle. There are anecdotes to add interest, including a couple of mentions of female soldiers. Even the footnotes at the end are worth reading.

This book is very good for children who like to learn about the Civil War and school or public libraries to support student of middle school and above.

I think it goes in to decent detail about the events and the reasons the leaders made the decisions they made. It tells the story using more than just text, but also some very good maps, period photographs, and engravings or paintings. It goes into sufficient detail about what it was like without causing nightmares. As a parent of a high-school student and a grade-school student, I think it is better for the middle-school students because of the subject matter and complexity.

This is a terrific children's book to introduce the store of the battle of Antietam and to get kids interested in the larger Civil War. The writing is clear and interesting without being in the least bit condescending. This will make the book a good read for kids (mine enjoyed it). The pictures used throughout work well with the text and add to the feeling the author is trying to convey. There's at least one on every page, so the read is very quick. There's not a lot of detail on the battle, the tactics, the mistakes, etc., but the story is very well told and none of the important or pertinent facts is left out, including Special Order 191. I especially like the clarity of the maps that illustrate the movement of the troops. This can be hard for adults to keep in their heads (speaking for myself anyway) and having a map that illustrates everything is a must. While many of the pictures show the carnage left over after the battle, none is gratuitous. I'm glad they were included because without them it wouldn't have been a complete description of the battle.

This is a must read for kids looking to learn about the Civil War in general and the battle of Antietam in particular. If you're planning a visit to the battlefield with the family, I'd suggest having the kids read this first. I also liked the bibliography & notes, but I felt that the index was a bit incomplete, focusing primarily on places and names and not so much on concepts, but it is a small book.

This is a wonderful book for any young history buff. The prose is colorful and evocative, as well as being informative. It's based on a mix of primary and well-known secondary (Catton, MacPherson, et al.) sources, which speaks well for its accuracy. Nearly every page features a period sketch, photograph, or battle map. (Note that some of the photographs depict dead bodies left on the battlefield, although not close up.) It's great to see decent maps in a book aimed at a young audience, although the scale is not always clear. While the book is focused on the Antietam battle, it also covers the events leading up to and following September 17, including the Emancipation Proclamation, to put everything into perspective. Highly recommended for kids and adults alike.

Completely surrounding the battle of Antietam (also called Sharpsburg) during the US Civil War, Jim Murphy's book "A Savage Thunder" brings interesting windows into aspects of American Life in the 1880's.

With maps of battle strategy and captions that quantify the difficulties of preparing for the large scale battles in a very traditional European nature, this books is clearly about the horrification of war. Both Northern and Southern Soliders were decimated in this battle by poor health care, horrific conditions, and military technology.

Detailed here is also a worn President Lincoln trying to find a commander for his army that will result in a Union and not the division that was continuing.

Each chapter begins with a piece of poetry from either side noting the topic under consideration.

I look forward to using this book simply just for the pictures with my students in the 8th grade, however, the text is really geared to high school readers or higher, the text of this book requires contextual knowledge of the Civil War and it's complexities.

It may be labeled for ages 9 to 12, but don't let that fool you, this book can be enjoyed by teenagers and adults as well. It is a concise retelling of the Battle of Antietam and its aftermath and it covers all of the bases when it comes to the thoughts, words, and moves of Union and Confederate military leaders alike.

What's most admirable about Murphy's book, however, is its ample use of the common man's observations. Wherever he can, Murphy includes quotes from Confederate and Union soldiers' diaries and letters, as well as the thoughts of journalists who covered the battle. He includes quirky anecdotes of interest, too, like how the Union soldiers found a dead female soldier and spared her the mass burial of her brethren, instead erecting a simple grave marked "unknown Woman CSA." Another story relates how a charging Rebel paused to peer into a building filled with wounded Union soldiers and left his canteen with them as he continued his charge. When a Union countercharge pushed his unit back, he stopped at the same window and asked that his canteen be returned.

Odd stories like that make history, not just the "big stage" stories involving Lincoln and Cautious George McClellan, his reluctant general of the Potomac. The fact that Murphy includes them and that he treats this important battle so thoroughly with many illustrations and photographs (warning: some of bloodied and bloated battlefield dead) makes this book a must for young (OK, and curious old) Civil War buffs everywhere. Recommended.

Antietam was a pivotal battle in the American Civil War. After a string of Confederate victories by General Robert E. Lee, President Lincoln reluctantly put the army under George McClellan, an arrogant but popular Union general. The Confederates had pushed north into Union territory in the hopes of crushing the spirit of the North. McClellan was able to stop the advance and send them back in the bloodiest day in American history, although believing the Confederate army to be numerically superior to his own (McClellan actually had a significantly larger force) he allowed Lee a leisurely retreat. Had McClellan pushed his advantage while Lee withdrew, he might have crushed the rebellion then and there. Instead the war continued for another two and a half years.

I know almost nothing about the Civil War, so I found this little book to be a very nice introduction. It's aimed at a younger audience, but I think adults will find it interesting as well. It's full of drawings, photos, and maps but the text hasn't been dumbed down. Also, it is pretty straightforward in depicting the Civil War as a brutal and awful war that took the lives of many people and ravaged the land. There are a number of photos showing dead soldiers but the text discusses the carnage with appropriate restraint. This would be an ideal book for young people with an interest in American history, and could be especially helpful for school research. The only information I thought was lacking was a better explanation of the weapons used - the kinds of artillery that was fired by cannons or muskets - which would have helped make a little more sense of the battlefield.

The photos are what first grabbed my attention. Some, like the one of Lincoln and Meade in a tent, I had never seen before. Others, like those of fields after the battle are disturbing and sobering. While this title will engross young history buffs it will also inform adults.

"A Savage Thunder" is not like the history books from which I learned, as a child. Because the book does not attempt to be a comprehensive history of the Civil War, the author is able, quite simply, to provide the reader a more detailed, rewarding account of the events surrounding Antietam. While most kids probably know at least something about Gettysburg, this book educates the young about other actions in the Civil War that shaped the conflict and our nation.