Best Civil War history book for beginners?

[OcdChaos]

I’m looking to learn about the Civil War. I’ve never studied much about it, and am looking for a good overview of the whole war. I would like it to be somewhat entertaining and attention keeping, and not dry and boring. Any recommendations? Thanks

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Family Maps of Hinds County, Mississippi, Deluxe Edition - Grab it through Amazon!

[fyrffytr1]

There are many, many books about the Civil War but, to me the best work would be the Ken Burns Civil War documentary. It is a 9 part series and can be viewed on different sites like PBS.org and Amazon Prime.

 

[BLK HOLE]

I would recommend the Bruce Catton Civil War Trilogy - "Never Call Retreat", "Terrible Swift Sword", "The Coming Fury". It was Catton's book "A Stillness at Appomattox" that hooked me!

 

[dts52]

Both recommendations are good. Bill O’Reilly’s “Legends and Lies” series of books has one about the Civil War. Relatively short but an easy read with many interesting stories which are very short.

For me, the CW history is as intriguing as metal detecting. I am always amazed by the resilience and bravery of all those combatants. What an unfathomable tragedy.
dts

 

[metrotec]

Th Un-Civil War, by Scruggs
while you're at it look at Southernheritage411.com
It's by Southern people, ie the other books called "the loosers".

 

[Citiboy289]

Sherman’s March to the Sea

 

[metrotec]

Sherman's march to the sea was "total war". In other words, he killed civilians and burned civilian homes, businesses. Took everything, pillaged and raped the people and Southern Land.
Lee fought a Christian War. Lee had soldiers shot for rape, stealing and doing non-war actions.
Like I say, books that tell and glorify the "Un-Civil War",were mostly written by Northern's.
I read an interview of 100 black,free slaves, taken place in Montgomery,AL., in the year 1900.
2 out of the 100 said they were mistreated. One man had scars on his back. "My master mistreated his slaves, and his Own Family; he was not a Christian."