I Used to Know That: Civil War [Kindle Edition]

Fred DuBose (Author)

Book Description

As the 150th anniversary of the Civil War approaches, the fascination with all things Civil War continues ever more strongly. With I Used to Know That: Civil War, snippets of history class will come rushing back as you recall that:
The mere election of Abraham Lincoln pushed seven Southern states to secede. Distinguished soldier and military strategist Robert E. Lee was offered command of the U.S. Army two days before he was chosen to lead the rebel army of Northern Virginia. Elizabeth Van Lew, a wealthy spinster who lived in the Confederate capital, feigned craziness to mask her activities as one of the Union's most effective spies. Robert Smalls, a slave, absconded with a Confederate ship, went on to pilot ships for the Union Navy, and was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives after the war.
Author Fred DuBose takes you beyond the history book and in a lively style brings to life colorful stories that include heroes, brilliant military strategists, blunderers, spies, wives on the home front, Underground Railroad facilitators, surgeons, and journalists who took the highs and lows of the war to the public.

Product Details

• File Size: 2675 KB
• Print Length: 178 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1606522442
• Publisher: Reader's Digest (April 14, 2011)
• Sold by: Penguin Publishing
• Language: English
• ASIN: B004QQ3ULU
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Not Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #845,483 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Less than 1 star if it was possible. December 27, 2011

By Jeffery L. Barbour

Format:Hardcover

I received this book for Christmas. My wife thought it may challenge my knowledge of the Civil War. I am a Civil War History buff. The author had not done his research very well in writing this book. I feel he had an agenda in telling the reader that Slavery was the only reason for the war. I agree it was a very important segment but far from the ONLY reason for it. The topic of slavery took up 1/3 of the book. Little if nothing about governmental corruption and denial of state rights. Percentage of those southerners that actually had slaves. World events that led up to the north have a steady influx of people arriving to make up the labor force. No other part of the puzzle was mentioned. He did not tie the Emancipation Proclamation as no more than a political move to keep England and France out of the war. If the author had read the Emancipation Proclamation, he would have know it did not free anyone, but legalized slavery in northern held territories like Hampton Roads, Virginia. The northern army needed the labor for the war effort. The author on page 139 could not even get the correct date of General Lee's surrender to General Grant. Look it up Mr. DuBose, it was April 9th, 1865. The title of the book is completely wrong. Myself, the title "I Use To Know That" is all wrong. I had an outstanding 7th grade Virginia history teacher that inspired me to read, visit and explore my family's roots during the Southern Defense Against Northern Aggression. This book is good reading, IF you like fairy tales and fiction. In my opinion the book is pure bunk. Mr. DuBose, Please tell me again when Lincoln was assassinated? Page 152 has this wrong too. How many other facts had I glanced over that you got wrong?

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Spiced With Insider Information June 13, 2011

By C. Robert Keathley

Format:Hardcover

One of the best little books balanced on historical fact and annotated information you seldom find in the marketplace. Rebel or Yank this is the perfect gift for those who love to dig through the sidebars of history. This reader can't wait for the sequel: I-Used-to-Know-That-Civil-War, Part II. Certainly a genuine work by an experienced and versed author. Christmas gifts solved. Thanks.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Well Written May 26, 2011

By Jill

Format:Hardcover

The battle between the North and South reshaped the U.S. in many ways. The author,Fred DuBose takes us on a easy to follow in-depth history read broken up into time periods, and is divided into three sections: The Antebellum Period, The War Between the States, and The Reconstruction Era. You'll be reminded of the state of our Country and how the Civil War became eminent. The interesting and thorough summary of everyone from the spies, activists, soldiers, statesmen, and ordinary citizens that had a revealing part in this battle is a page-turner.

A great read for middle school and high school students alike.

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