The War Between the States: America's Uncivil War (Hardcover)

Editorial Reviews

Review
A magisterial account of a tragic story that most Americans have yet to confront. -- Donald W. Livingston (Professor of Philosophy, Emory University)

Dwyer makes a host of good points... It is a greatly useful work. -- Clyde Wilson, (Professor of History, the University of South Carolina)

Judicious, clearly written, suffused with Christian knowledge and understanding, it stands out a mile from other accounts... -- William Murchison (Senior Columnist, The Dallas Morning News)

Partial truths are more dangerous than open falsehoods, as error is more easily concealed and more difficult to uncover. The history of the Civil War taught in secondary schools is typically a partial truth that conceals more than it reveals. Dwyer corrects this error not by adopting a Southern point of view - though that view is rightly included - but with a magisterial account that comprehends both in a tragic story that most Americans have yet to confront. --Donald Livingston, professor of philosophy, Emory University

The best textook for the high school, preparatory academy or junior college I have ever read. --Roger McGrath, retired professor of history, UCLA

Product Description
Finally, the true story of the War Between the States, in one captivating volume. With more than 530 illustrations, nearly 100 biographical sketches, and his attention-grabbing style, John J. Dwyer has radically transformed the tedious, uninspiring textbook rendering of the Civil War into what it should be America's greatest epic. Respected historians George Grant, J. Steven Wilkins, Douglas Wilson, and Tom Spencer are contributing editors to the The War Between the States: America's Uncivil War, and over two dozen of renowned historical artist John Paul Strain's greatest works appear. The book offers 700 action-packed pages of war-time drama that will forever change the way Americans view the Civil War.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 700 pages
• Publisher: American Vision Press; 1st edition (December 31, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0976822407
• ISBN-13: 978-0976822400
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.1 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #113,943 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The War revisited, April 7, 2006

By	S. J. Maye - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Finally, a general resource on the American Civil War that is not laden with politically correct, revisionist history. Amazing work!

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The "real" story, July 22, 2007

By	Bobbie Roberts (Montana) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

By far the best complete history of the civil war. There were so many interesting facts that were never taught in school. The artist also captivated me with such accurate drawings of the people and horses in the battles. Very highly recommended.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An American epic, January 27, 2008

By	E. J. (Shenandoah Valley) - See all my reviews

John J. Dwyer's highly valuable book is divided into three portions. The first discusses the coming of the War Between the States. Four chapters cover slavery--the way slaves lived, the political problems over slavery, how slavery in the United States compared to slavery in the Bible, etc.--while others cover nullification, secession, tariffs, and nationalism. Dwyer also includes several chapters on the different worldviews of the North and the South (it is here that his Reformed beliefs come out most clearly) in which the effects of the Great Awakenings and Unitarianism on American religion are discussed. Facets on events, documents, and important people add life to "The War Between the States." For example, in one facet parts of a sermon by John Jasper, a black preacher, are printed. Other facets cover the history of secession in America, the Enlightenment belief in a "social contract," and the influence of educator Horace Mann.

The second part of "The War Between the States" concerns the War itself, from its early days to its end at Appomattox. Dwyer keeps the pace moving rather than allowing himself to become bogged down in unnecessary detail. One chapter discusses the religious revivals in the armies, and facets cover such various topics as "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," Cherokee general Stand Watie, martial law in Maryland, federal Christian Oliver O. Howard, and the rules of just war (the ones Sherman, Sheridan, and Quantrill disremembered).

The last section gives an in-depth look at Reconstruction. One of the strengths of Dwyer's book is that he does his utmost to be fair, and this trait thankfully shows in his discussion of Reconstruction. We read about the struggles of Southerners (both black and white) to get on their feet; the corruption of the government after the War; and the various vigilante movements that sprang up. Dwyer, of course, discusses the early Klan (as well as how it differs from the modern day Klan), but he also writes about the Klan's pro-federal counterpart, the Union League. Again, the facets are both diverse and interesting: some document the experience of black leaders, one includes the fiery anti-Radical speech of Benjamin Hill, and another covers the Congressional Minority Report on the Klan.

In the face of all the historical information, Dwyer never fails to remember that history is, after all, a story, and "The War Between the States" creates a sweeping picture in the minds of readers that will not soon be erased.