1 comments about The Journal of a Civil War Surgeon.

1. A great read for anyone interested in the innerworkings of the Army of the Potomac. Dyer served closely with Gens. Hancock, Gibbon, Hooker, and Howard, giving pesonal insight to these men. He also goes into the lives to the fighing soldier in great detail. Being a top-notch surgeon, the men are always on the forefront of his mind. Dyer works tirelessly for the care and well being of the men. He is especially interested in making sure the men get vegetables, as Dyer is recognized as the first to realize that scurvy is a major problem in the Army. Perfect for anyone interested in how the medical corp oppereated from battlefield care, to the ambulence corp, to division hospitals up to to the large hospitals of the north. Tactfully edited by Chesson.

1 comments about A Philadelphia Perspective: The Civil War Diary of Sidney George Fisher (North's Civil War).

1. I have been reading Civil War history as an amateur since I went with my father to the battle reenactments of southern and western Virginia. While the historically accurate yet still fictional accounts contained in the famous novels have somewhat more poignant stories (as anything with the crutch of hindsight inevitably will), The Diary will stand alone for me as THE true reflection of the Civil War North. While many stories may at first glance seem irrelevant, the mood betrayed by the dinner parties, social events, and street-corner conversations could not possibly feel more real. Clearly the Editor of this book (I forgot his name, and lent my copy to a friend) has a mind like a razor. While he clearly spends much of his time immersed in the annals of history, he also has the ability to cut through the confusing language and often mispelled words, directly to the heart of the matter. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants insight into the minds of our forefathers. Well Done!

2 comments about Who Was Who in the Civil War.

1. An excellent source for basic information on the people involved in the American Civil War. This book not only includes information on the generals and politicians, but also such associated characters as Clara Barton and Mark Twain. Kids, look for this book for those class reports!



2. Provides short but helpful biographies of all the major Generals, politicians and characters in the Civil War. Gives a
   complete summary bio on the commands or political career of each person such as all their commands, rank and terms of service. It then gives a readable descriptive of the highlights of the individuals career. From notables such as Jackson, Lee, Longstreet, Johnston, Beauregard Sheridan, Meade, to lesser knows who were reassigned such as Bragg, Pemberton, D. H. Hill, Rosecrans, Burnside (you can see where they were shuttled to) to infamous characters such as Bloody Bill Anderson, Jesse James etc. Even makes reference to a relative of Stonwall Jackson's referred to as "Mudwall" Jackson. Although surprisingly austere in the reasons why this Jackson was named Mudwall in the book, the derisive verse "there he stands like a mudwall" not mentioned here pretty much outlines that this Jackson was known to give way. Still, the book captures virtually all who made a difference. One great example is Confederate Imboden who wrote many historic articles on the CW but his record at the end of the war indicates that his competence was severely questioned based on his loss of command and minor reassignment. Casts some doubt on his fortutious witnessing of events.

1 comments about From Conciliation to Conquest: The Sack of Athens and the Court-Martial of Colonel John B. Turchin.

1. I highly recommend this book for the serious student of Civil War history. The text is thought provoking and insightful. It is a timely work when viewed from a modern perspective of today's U.S. volunteer military force in the wake of the invasion and occupation of Iraq. In this context, it is easy to recognize parallels between the attitudes and beliefs of the Union volunteers who perceived themselves initially as liberators and later as occupiers. One can also sense similarities in shifts of official policy and in the roll of the press in shaping public opinion. Simply stated, this text is relevant to the events of today. The book presents a penetrating study of the evolution of official Union policy toward civil populations in occupied areas from Lincoln's first inaugural to the decided policy shift in the Shenandoah Valley adopted by John Pope in 1862.
   
   The text is presented in an easy to read well-organized format and follows the intriguing military career of the immigrant, John Turchin, formerly a colonel in the Imperial Russian Army. Turchin comes to life as a colorful character, schooled in the Russian military academies and a veteran of the Czar's occupation of Hungary after the Revolutions of 1848. Later, settling in Chicago, he is drawn early into the conflict as an experienced professional soldier. As a Union officer, he is portrayed as a courageous leader whose dedication to his regiment's welfare demands the loyalty of his men.
   In articulating the details of Turchin's career as a Union officer, the authors lead you through a major policy shift in Lincoln's administration. Turchin's trial and the events preceding it are used to explore the changes in emotions and attitudes of the Union toward the southern secessionists. This is a skilled narration, very different from many Civil War histories. It explores the war from an unusual viewpoint, studying a topic that has received little attention by other scholars. The format of the book makes for an enjoyable easy read.

1 comments about Abraham Lincoln: An Illustrated Biography in Postcards.

1. A look at one of the most celebrated figures in American history - in the form of postcards. "Abraham Lincoln: An Illustrated Biography in Postcards" covers this great man's life, illustrated with nearly three hundred postcards from various eras. Depicting a conflicted, brooding man who led America through the Civil War and was struck down in his prime for it, "Abraham Lincoln: An Illustrated Biography in Postcards" is a top pick for American History and Biography collections and for anyone interested in history from a fresh perspective.

1 comments about Quantrill in Texas: The Forgotten Campaign.

1. Quantrill in Texas is half the size of Paul R. Petersen's excellent primary work -- 'Quantrill of Missouri: The Making of a Guerilla Warrior', q.v. It contains redundant material at the beginning (i.e., to the first book), a hodge-podge of disorganised author's note card material in the middle, and an end which does remind the reader that Paul R. Peterson, a native of Quantrill's geographic domain, really can write superbly on William Clarke Quantrill. But why, with all the other redundant material, the author omits Col. Quantrill's tender care by the Sisters of Charity and two priests, and conversion to the Church of Rome, puzzles one; it is one more substantiation of the high esteem which the Catholic Church held for the South and the vital hospital work which they did internationally for countless soldiers without regard to politics. (The high regard which the South held for her Catholic, as also Hebrew, citizens is once again demonstrated, and evident the more one reads the primary sources, like the journals of hospital matrons Kate Cumming and Phoebe Levy Yates Pember, and of Kate Stone and other Southern ladies.)
   
   Hopefully the author will eventually redact the primary work to include this supplemental material and any other which he may have discovered in the interim. For the Quantrill, par excellence, his primary work, '... Missouri', is not only a treasure trove of material, it is the labour-of-love of a superbly capable writer. The photographs & maps included in the Texas book, however, also are of value. I cannot recommend [his other work] 'Quantrill of Missouri' too highly, how-be-it; it is a genuine 5-star work, unlike its successor here -- extremely well researched, organised, and authored.
   
   Those who are hoping in a Quantrill trilogy of the first order, as another reviewer intimated, will be disappointed in the second instllment. Rather than a trilogy, I would respectfully urge Mr Petersen to consolidate all the new material, and this present work, into a primary, master, stand-alone 'Quantrill of Missouri'. Mr Petersen is a military man, a marine trained in guerrilla warfare, whose insights into battle technique are never-the-less be of some added value in his Texas book -- thus rating an extra star. Whatever you do, won't you first make sure you have 'Quantrill of Missouri' -- and then consider adding this second, 'Texas', Quantrill, for what it may be worth?

No comments about The Twenty-fifth Regiment Connecticut Volunteers in the War of the Rebellion.

3 comments about The Life and Writings of Abraham Lincoln (Modern Library).

1. I have a large Civil War library, and if there was a fire, this is the one Lincoln book I would try to rescue. Despite being written almost 50 years ago, the book's strong point is not its selection of Lincoln's writings (although that is quite good), but its masterful biographical sketch of Lincoln by Stern. Almost seven score since Lincoln's death, there is still no other satisfying BRIEF biography. In about 200 pages, Stern has managed to capture, in skilfull prose, all the important facts while still having room for some less-wordy, interesting comments. Each important event is succinctly captured in a couple paragraphs. I like that Stern actually calls Lincoln "neurotic" in certain personal aspects. I also like his passages on Willie Lincoln's death, emancipation, and the war's closing. There's really not enough room for any heavy politically-influenced interpretations of issues like those in modern long biographies,and that's why Stern's sketch can't be considered outdated. Some people may not like the short description of Lincoln's assassination, and I thought Stern spent too much ink on Lincoln's final attempts to compensate the South. Since the book predates the most comprehensive, closely-inspected collection of Lincoln's letters, there may be some inaccuracies in the writings reproduced here. However, the selection is an excellent one, linked together well with intros by Stern. I can't imagine this was an easy job for Stern and I'm lost why it's been virtually ignored. But all in all, I can only repeat, if you want to know the most about Lincoln in the fewest words, and have your interest held throughout, just buy this book and you're set!



2. This is a great book. I think the introduction is the best. It is interesting plus you really feel Lincoln was a man of the people. My favorite part was when Lincoln had one of his sons in a wagon. Lincoln was so much in his thoughts that the child fell out and was crying loudly and Lincoln kept walking dragging an empty wagon behind him.



3. This book is out of print, but you can get it used through amazon and others. It's a great collection of Lincoln's speeches, correspondence and other writings, and it includes an approx. 200 page biography. The bio was written around 1940, and no doubt there's more recent scholarship missing, but we're spared the fashionable speculation about whether Lincoln was gay or some other insignifica which seem to be focal points for so many contemporary biographers and historians. Stern, as the reviewer on amazon says, "wisely respects the mysterious alchemy by which a plain man became a statesman; this respectful anthology seeks only to present Lincoln, not to explain him." The bio's a useful bonus, but the real matter belongs to Lincoln, and there's 700 pages of it beyond the bio. Hopefully Modern Library will reissue this book, and it would be great if the bio were to be updated while maintaining the same cautious and sober approach.

1 comments about In the Shadow of the Civil War: Passmore Williamson and the Rescue of Jane Johnson.

1. This is an excellant book for those with an interest in how the Fugitive law of 1850 was applied. The book is based on the trial of a slave named Jane Jackson who took advantage of Pennsylvania's freedom law, that states that once a slave sets foot on Pennsylvanis's soil they are free.
   
   The main character in the story though is not Ms. Jackson but a white abolitionist named Passmore Williamson who "aided" Ms. Jackson and here two children in their escape for there owner" a Col. John Hill Wheeler an U.S. diplomat on his way to Central American and was passing through Philadelphia when Williamson with the help of some black dock workers and ships crew made the snatch and relese of the Jackson family.
   
   The story has no real clear cut conclusion and is a telling tale of how often U.S. courts can be less the conclusive in there findings. If you are a Civil War bluff who is interested in the war beyond the battles and personalities this makes a good read.

No comments about The Military Operations of General Beauregard in the War Between the States 1861 to 1865: Including a Brief Personal Sketch and a Narrative of His S.