A stillness at appomattox these books are a great introduction to anyone who wants to learn more about the. No wonder, then, that the war has been the subject of so many dramatic films and documentaries. I used many of these to recreate my civil war ancestor story in first person. Wikimedia commons has media related to fictional wars. This account of americas most costly conflict by historian shelby foote sheds light on both the specifics of how each battle was fought and the ideology and politics that drove our country to nearly rip itself. In britain, it usually refers to the english civil war one of many. The best civil war books of all time analysis civil war.
Recently, jim hessler and eric lindblade did a podcast discussing their favorite reference sources and books about the battle. Like any good war history book, the civil war books on this list take a deep dive not only into the untold horrors of warfare, but also the perspectives, personalities, and motivations behind it, as well as the ramifications. Anything about how life was and the healing or not healing that went on. Instead of putting together a list of the 223,546 best historical fiction books, i opted instead for adult historical fiction showstoppers that present a. While most books about the civil war are historical retrospectives written by historians many years after the fact, a diary from dixie was actually written during the course of the war. Instead of putting together a list of the 223,546 best historical fiction books, i opted instead for adult historical fiction showstoppers that present a wide array of time periods, places, characters, and more.
The killer angels by michael shaara, gone with the wind by margaret mitchell, cold mountain by charles frazier, gods. Books you dont want to finish, books that have plot holes big enough to drive a train through, cringey young adult books about an 18 year old marry suechosen one, books where the main character pisses you off and you. For those of you who dont want to take the couple of hours to listen to. From there, i began grabbing everything i could find, both fiction and nonfiction, and i now have a library of over 200 books just on the american civil war. In america, civil war is often used to refer to the american civil war. Aug, 2012 civil war books for kids can help spark an interest in history or fuel a fire thats already been lit. Cole civil war artillery at gettysburg gottfried artillery of gettysburg ryan spies, scouts and secrets in the gettysburg campaign periodical articles gettysburg c. Weve partnered with the hit pbs show mercy street to curate a list of the most interesting reads on the civil war. Far more books have been written about the civil war than about any other event in american history, and lincolns stack of books towers over that of any other american figure. Dec 26, 20 out of the tens of thousands of civil war books written, i doubt any of us have read even 10% of them, so i am doubtful about how good our list would be.
Civil war books for kids can help spark an interest in history or fuel a fire thats already been lit. Best civil war fiction score a books total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book. While some of the earliest works written about the war tended to. A narrative the civil war may have occurred well over a century ago, but its reverberations are still strongly felt. Jun 23, 2019 the civil war was the bloodiest conflict in american history, turning brother against brother and devastating large regions of the country. Since both are reputable licensed battlefield guides, i think that their opinions are helpful. To commemorate the anniversary, weve compiled a list of the past 15 years most noteworthy historical fiction novels set during the civil war.
Having said that, i think mcphersons battle cry of freedom will have to be on any list. The best books on the syrian civil war five books expert. The civil war was not only the last war fought entirely on u. A tale of secrets and romance, the latest historical fiction novel from the no. Books about the civil war, including fiction and non fiction selections. Jan 23, 2019 whittling all historical fiction books into one manageable list is impossible, truly. Pages in category american civil war novels the following 81 pages are in this category, out of 81 total. The 14 best books about the spanish civil war the local. The english civil war is a wonderful setting for historical fiction and romance.
A fictional so far history of the second american civil war. The three year long bloody conflict that divided spain pitting brother against brother in a precursor to the second world war inspired great writing and has continued to fascinate historians to this day. May 03, 2019 bankss capacious, fully realized answer brings the man, his family, and this country in the runup to the civil war onto the page. The red badge of courage 1951 a good place to start with any study of civil war films is with the one that adapted arguably the definitive civil war novel. The american civil war is one piece of history that is filled with treats for fans of the form high drama, hazy battle lines between good and bad, black and white. Best civil war fiction score a book s total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book.
The three year long bloody conflict that divided spain pitting brother against brother in a precursor to the second world war inspired great writing and has continued to fascinate historians to this day whether it is contemporary accounts, historical thesis or fiction set during the 193639 conflict, there is a huge choice of very good reads on the subject. Books about the civil war, including fiction and nonfiction selections. Popular fiction american civil war books goodreads. See more ideas about historical fiction, fiction and books. Nevertheless, the books on this list are, indeed, my alltime favorites cherished works that. This category includes wars which were created for fiction works such as the dominion war of star trek, or wars which cannot be archaeologically verified. Feb, 2019 i happened to read the alligators of abraham by robert kloss, which is an incredible novel set during the american civil war era, and that led me to grab the killer angels by michael shaara. The top 10 civil war novels from roman legions to medieval mayhem, cavaliers and roundheads to the crushing of ideals in the 20th century, there is fertile ground for drama in civil war robert wilton. As usual, we enlisted the help of a handful of civil war historians and enthusiasts, avid readers all, and asked them to pick their two favorite books published in 2017. Any recommended reading list therefore has to be highly selective and at least somewhat arbitrary. Guardian fiction editor justine jordan on the celebrated and overlooked books of the year. The best examples bring this fascinating period of history to life and illuminate the many ways in which the war changed the course of. As civil war breaks out, they find themselves facing one another in battle. I happened to read the alligators of abraham by robert kloss, which is an incredible novel set during the american civil war era, and that led me to grab the killer angels by michael shaara.
A tough assignment but these books especially faust made the journey of writing like reliving the conflict up close and personal. This category has the following 10 subcategories, out of 10 total. Oct 22, 2014 the top 10 civil war novels from roman legions to medieval mayhem, cavaliers and roundheads to the crushing of ideals in the 20th century, there is fertile ground for drama in civil war robert wilton. A civil war is a war between organized groups within the same nation state or republic, or, less commonly, between two countries created from a formerlyunited nation state. It sets the bar for the way in which historical fiction, grounded in research and vivified by imagination, can enter a historical debate and makes a reasoned, clearsighted argument.
Civil war books fiction 19th century photographs notes usa civil war site contains 1,428 photos, 506 pages, 1 maps, 30 prints. Nevertheless, the books on this list are, indeed, my alltime favorites. Best gettysburg book list nonfiction history of the. Ive been interested in that aspect of it and wondering if there are any good books on that subject. Jul 18, 2018 on the 82nd anniversary of the outbreak of the spanish civil war, the local takes a look at the best books on the conflict. May 06, 2016 while most books about the civil war are historical retrospectives written by historians many years after the fact, a diary from dixie was actually written during the course of the war. The best civil war books of all time analysis civil. This novel concludes the panoramic trilogy of the mains and the hazards, whose friendship, fortunes, and lives have been profoundly transformed by the civil war. Michael shaara shelved 5 times as historical fictioncivilwar avg rating 4.
Actualy, most of the good civil war histories read like novels. From james mcphersons definitive history to tony horwitzs adventures among obsessives, here are the 11 best books on the civil war in time for the. This epic threevolume masterpiece is to war what gibbons decline and fall of the roman empire was to history. Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers. Five novels of the english civil war deborah swift. Whether you prefer fiction, nonfiction, female heroines, or descriptions of historic battles, history lovers and bibliophiles alike will find something to love. From there, i began grabbing everything i could find, both fiction and nonfiction, and i. Jan 17, 2017 10 books about the civil war for the history buff in all of us by huffpost partner studio if your idea of good reading involves stories about the union and the confederacy, then youll want to add these pageturners to your bookshelf or kindle. Five years ago, i learned something surprising about myself. Nov 30, 2019 guardian fiction editor justine jordan on the celebrated and overlooked books of the year. Whittling all historical fiction books into one manageable list is impossible, truly.
For a one volume history of the war you cant top mcpherson but for a more comprhensive history of events leading up to the war and during the war itself id recommend the 8 volume ordeal of the union by allan nevins. Dec 27, 2010 trying to name the top dozen civil war books of all time is, admittedly, a brazen act on my part. From there, i began grabbing everything i could find, both fiction and nonfiction, and i now have a library. I prefer historical fiction but also interested in. I am looking for life after the war for either side. The best books on the syrian civil war recommended by nikolaos van dam. Five greatest books about the civil war nonfiction history.
It is the definitive history of the us civil war it gives equal treatment to both sides, and is more than one million words, but is never boring. The civil war was the bloodiest conflict in american history, turning brother against brother and devastating large regions of the country. We wanted to include a variety of volumes to appeal to many different tastes. For the union point of view, bruce cattons series the army of the potomac series of 3 books is among the best. Bankss capacious, fully realized answer brings the man, his family, and this country in the runup to the civil war onto the page. Five greatest books about the civil war nonfiction. Six books on the civil war these six histories of the civil war that are mustreads if you want to better understand the conflict a group of officers in culpeper, virginia reading. The following 67 pages are in this category, out of 67 total. Trying to name the top dozen civil war books of all time is, admittedly, a brazen act on my part.
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