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Battle Hymns: The Power and Popularity of Music in the Civil War (Civil War America) Paperback – Illustrated, February 1, 2014

4.5 out of 5 stars 25

Editorial Reviews

Review

Recommended. Lower - and upper-division undergraduates; graduate students; professionals; general readers.--Choice



An extensive, descriptive account of music during the American Civil War.--
Journal of American History



Much more than a treat for lovers of good history writing and a fresh look at well-trodden fields, it is also a painful reminder of just how divided a nation we were at birth, and how those divisions live with us still.--
Huffington Post Arts & Culture



A wealth of practical information on who composed what, when, and under what circumstances. [McWhirter's] discovery of minute details concerning the origins of popular Civil War songs constitutes a real contribution to this area of specialization.--
Civil War Book Review



A fascinating examination of how popular songs defined and unified ideologies during the Civil War.--
Southern Register



No historian has done more than Christian McWhirter to open our ears to Civil War music as a very powerful expression of political action.--
McCormick Messenger



A welcome addition to the historiography of the Civil War and the music of the period.--
The Annals of Iowa



Battles Hymns convincingly combines historical and musicological perspectives by illustrating the mutual enrichment of music and extramusical culture.--Register of the Kentucky Historical Society



McWhirter's deft and entertaining use of anecdotal material to support his arguments will appeal to a wide audience.--
Tennessee Libraries



This excellent book will stand as the definitive study on the subject for many years to come.--
Society of Civil War Historians Newsletter

From the Inside Flap

Music was everywhere during the Civil War. Tunes could be heard ringing out from parlor pianos, thundering at political rallies, and setting the rhythms of military and domestic life. With literacy still limited, music was an important vehicle for communicating ideas about the war, and it had a lasting impact in the decades that followed. Drawing on an array of published and archival sources, Christian McWhirter analyzes the myriad ways music influenced popular culture in the years surrounding the war and discusses its deep resonance for both whites and blacks, South and North.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 1469613670
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ The University of North Carolina Press; Illustrated edition (February 1, 2014)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 336 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0807835501
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1469613673
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.13 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.12 x 0.74 x 9.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 25

About the author

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Christian McWhirter
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Christian McWhirter was born and raised near Toronto, Canada. Always interested in American history, he moved to the United States where he earned his doctorate. He is Research Historian at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
25 global ratings

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Craig
5.0 out of 5 stars Great.
Reviewed in Canada on September 12, 2019
Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 10, 2015