Nearly 150 years later, the war that divided our nation continues to fascinate history buffs and reenactment enthusiasts across the U.S.
Offering a new take on how to enjoy one of the most complex and critical eras in American history, author Thomas R. Flagel has cleared the powder smoke with the fun, quirky and absorbing compilation The History Buff's Guide to the Civil War: The best, the worst, the largest, and the most lethal top ten rankings of the Civil War, This is a must have addition for any Civil War book collector. (ISBN978-1-4022-4275-5; SEPT 2010; $16.99 U.S/$19.99 CAN/$9.99 UK; History; Trade Paper).
Exploring the Civil War can be fascinating, but with so many battles, leaders, and issues, the task can also be overwhelming. Was Gettysburg the most important battle? Were Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis so different from each other? How accurate is reenacting? Who were the worst commanding generals? The best? The History Buff's Guide to the Civil War tackles tough issues by breaking them into fun and informative annotated top ten lists. The lists are organized under more than thirty headings to clarify the best, the worst, the largest, and the most lethal aspects of the Civil War. Interesting Facts include:
- For every ship constructed in a Southern port, the North made ten.
- Indiana had more than two thousand miles of railroad track while Arkansas had thirty-eight.
- By 1862, there were more rifled muskets in North America than there were Native Americans.
- More than fifty-seven thousand soldiers died in prison during the war, just shy of all American soldiers lost from all causes in Vietnam.
The History Buff's Guide to the Civil War will provide a deeper clarity and perspective on every aspect of the war. The Second edition complete with new content and updated lists will have you debating the new and intriguing questions in no time.
About the Author
Thomas R. Flagel teaches American History at Columbia State Community College in Tennessee. He holds degrees from Loras College, Kansas State University, Creighton University, and has studied at the University of Vienna. Author of books on the Civil War, World War II, and the American Presidency, he is currently working on a volume concerning Abraham Lincoln. Flagel lives in Franklin, Tennessee, where he is on the Mayor's Battlefield Commission, the Carter House Board, and the Franklin Civil War Round Table board.
My Take on the Book This book is written with the Civil War newbie in mind. Down to earth and easy to understand this book takes the reader on a historical journey through the facts, figures, people, battles and social phenomena of the Civil War Era.
The author also uses humor to get his point across which makes the read a fun and enjoyable one. For those out there that are history "buffs" this book will still engage you and you will leave the reading with a better understanding of the era.
One of the areas in the book that I enjoyed was Flagel's section on the different generals of the war. As a distant relative of Ambrose Burnside, I found what he had to say about him interesting. Flagel also ranks the generals, and you as the reader must figure out whether you agree or disagree with his appraisal.
Overall a great book, that truly engages you from the first to last page!
If this book sounds like something you would like in your own home, you can find it on Amazon!
All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Terms of Use for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New to the Divadom?
Please Subscribe to my RSS Feed! Subscribe in a reader
Questions?Drop me a line at dadofdivas@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment