Question of the Week: 7/24-7/30-17

What Civil War books have you read (or are reading) this summer?



17 Responses to Question of the Week: 7/24-7/30-17

  1. Just finished ‘Lee and Meade after Gettysburg;’ had finished ‘No such army since Julius Caesar.’ Found both to be very good, covering subjects I’d not previously read about. For a battlefield tour I’m burrowing into the Battle of Stones River, and so am reviewing Cozzens’ ‘No better Place to Die,’ ‘Autumn of Glory,’ and Welcher’s ‘The Union Army, Western Theater.’

  2. Gen.Porter Alexander’s ” Fighting for the Confederacy “…….
    Prof.Gary Gallagher ‘s editing and endorsement of book are well appreciated and well done!

  3. West Wind, Flood Tide: The Battle of Mobile Bay; Hancock The Superb; Morning at Willoughby Run; and Bull Run: Its Strategy and Tactics.

    Joel Manuel
    Baton Rouge LA

  4. So far,

    Scott Patchan’s “Shenandoah Summer” about the 1864 campaign in the valley. (Excellent).

    James McPherson’s “Embattled Rebel” about Jefferson Davis. (Not as good as his study of Lincoln’s leadership).

    ECW’s own “Fight Like the Devil” about the first day at Gettysburg. (Delivers, as usual).

    Also powered through some long out-of-print memoirs and unit histories touching on the Shenandoah Valley in 1864, mostly for research. Can’t recall the titles though, as the process involves sitting at my computer and reading PDF files, which feels more like work than reading for enjoyment.

    Still debating what to read at the beach and welcome suggestions.

  5. I’m actually in the middle of a book about the U.S.S. Indianapolis, “In Harm’s Way.” I’ve read it before (it’s the best of several books I’ve read about the Indy). So, not quite the same war, but a compelling story.

  6. The Raiding Winter, Michael R Bradley, deals with Confederate cav raids in Tenn Dec12-Jan3.protecting the Flank at Gettysburg, Eric Wittenberg. The Battles for Spotsylvania Court House and the Road to Yellow Tavern, Gordon C Rhea. Finally, The Battle for Piedmont and Hunters Raid on Staunton, Scott C Patchen. Really enjoyed this book, often overlooked part of 1864 Valley Campaigns. Made me re-think Hunter. Highly recommend.

  7. Embattled Rebel by James McPherson, Army of the Potomac by Russel Beatie, Lincoln’s Lieutenants by Stephen Sears, The Battle of Petersburg by Sean Chick, The Siege of Fort Macon by Paul Branch, Grant’s Last Battle by Chris Mackowski and an excellent WWII book-The Fleet at High Tide by James Hornfischer

  8. Just finished “Meade and Lee After Gettysburg”. Very good book which covers a previously lightly covered time period. Before that “To The Gates of Richmond” in preparation for a 5 day Chambersburg Civil War tour beginning Wednesday. Next will be the 3 volume set by Bill Miller “The Peninsula Campaign of 1862”. Then who knows what. Too many unread books sitting on my bookshelves.

  9. Just finished “Confederate Waterloo” and am about to start “Meade and Lee After Gettysburg”. I’m awaiting the arrival of “Fighting the Second Civil War” (not exactly Civil War proper, but close enough) which will be next on the list.

  10. Just finished Cunningham’s Shiloh and the Western Campaign of 1862 and now reading Hess and Shea’s Pea Ridge: Civil War Campaign in the West. Next up, I’m going to read McDonough’s recent biography of William Tecumseh Sherman.

    1. I took Civil War I and II from Otis Edward Cunningham at Tulane in 1974, Fun guy. He revered T. Harry Williams from LSU

  11. I’ve spent a lot of time reading letters from Army of Northern Virginia soldiers. Just finished “Letters of William F. Wagner” (57th NC).

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