The War for the Union Volume I.....The Improvised War 1861-1862 [Hardcover]

Allan Nevins (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1971

THIS account of the first year of the Civil War is much more than a merely military chronicle in which politicians stride on and off the stage. This volume, the first of four dedicated to the War, is a study of the transformation of a nation. Dr. Nevins is supremely conscious of the chaos that faced Lincoln on inauguration day and well aware that confusion could not be finally routed before Appomattox. But the author is also positive that in the opening months of the conflict the first steps were taken to transform the loosely organized country that fretted over Bull Run into the firmly knit nation that emerged in 1865. The war was fought for a more perfect union, and this the reader is never allowed to forget.All four volumes of the War for the Union are currently available from Konecky & Konecky.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Nevins sees the conflict in its world significance...This volume is indeed part of a great work... --American Historical Review

About the Author

Allan Nevins was one of our most honored historians. He won the Pulitzer Prize and The National Book Award (for the last two volumes of the War for the Union). The New York Times described Nevins's work as "a majestic peak in the mountains of American history."

Product Details

• Hardcover: 436 pages
• Publisher: Konecky & Konecky; Edition unknown edition (September 1, 1971)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1568522967
• ISBN-13: 978-1568522968
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.6 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,181,574 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An improvised war,not an improvised book., December 31, 2000

By 

John F. Messerly (Rolla, MO USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The War for the Union Volume I.....The Improvised War 1861-1862 (Hardcover)

This history of the Civil War is far better than any other I have read in that Nevins looks behind the actions to seek reasons and explanations for them. Before I have wondered why so many of the decisions were made the way they were. This book looks at the men and the situations to analyse the whys and wherefores of the apparent inability of the Union to get organized, and the stupid decisions made. It presents Lincoln in a fair and reasonable light.

0 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars the war for the union vol one, May 18, 2011

By 

linda j - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The War for the Union Volume I.....The Improvised War 1861-1862 (Hardcover)

Book came promptly, in about the condition I expected. The back of the book did have some damage, though and for a $49 book it could have been in better shape. But nothing that will affect it's reading enjoyment. I'd order from this seller again.

0 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars War for the Union 1861-1862 The Improvised War, April 22, 2011

By 

Karen Taylor - See all my reviews

This review is from: The War for the Union Volume I.....The Improvised War 1861-1862 (Hardcover)

I am a fan of the Civil War and enjoy reading Civil War history and visiting Civil War sites. I was given the soft cover, 6x9, 4 volume set (including the text referenced) by Allan Nevins and found them hard, no, almost impossible to read. It seems Mr. Nevins used a theaurus when he wrote these volumes and attempted to use as many "big" and unnecessary words as he could find. He has overcomlicated the subject by injecting wording that does not add clarity, but only volume to text. In a word, this book "sucks."

I would recommend that readers interested in Civil War history find a different author's works and avoid these unless they like to read this kind of "stuff" while keeping a dictionary in their lap to assist with the interperation of Mr. Nevins works.