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ACW books
Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 8:03 pm
by Ephrum
I have a number of books on the ACW.
However, I've only recently started reading books about specific battles and campaigns.(thanks to TC2M, I can understand them now)
I was wondering if any of you could suggest some good books on; Antietam and Chancellorsville.
Re:ACW books
Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 8:35 pm
by Amish John
"Antietam, The Soldier's Battle" by John Priest
Re:ACW books
Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 9:21 pm
by ironsight
Just got done reading:
"From Manassas to Appomattox"
which was originally written by General Longstreet. Basically its his personal narration of events during the war with a lot of what-ifs and should-ifs thrown in. He also presents detailed OOBs and losses of each major battle. Interesting book.
Another good one which i'm in the middle of is:
"The Blue and the Gray"
which has a lot of individual soldiers accounts of events, battles and daily life during the war.
Re:ACW books
Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 11:03 pm
by Amish John
I suggest you start reading up on Gettysburg

Re:ACW books
Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 11:33 pm
by ironsight
Amish John Wrote:I suggest you start reading up on Gettysburg
The chapter in Longstreet's memoirs regarding Gburg is loaded with
could-of's and should-of's! I know, what a surprise!:ohmy:
Re:ACW books
Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 11:36 pm
by Ephrum
Amish John wrote:
I suggest you start reading up on Gettysburg

With pleasure! Could you suggest a good book about that battle?
I've read Bruce Cattons' book on it. I've also read Porter Alexanders accounts. And I've read Shelby Footes' work on it, in his three book set.(a fantastic set of books to read) But what I'm looking for is a thorough account of just the Gettysburg campaign/battle.
Actually that's what I'm looking for on Antietam, and Chancellorsville. Guess I should've said it like that in the first place.
Thanks
Amish John and
ironsight for the titles you guys suggested!B) I'll check the library for them!
Re:ACW books
Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 2:28 am
by Hancock the Superb
Stephen Sears has all three, Antietam (A landscape turned Red), Chanc. and Gburg.
Re:ACW books
Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 7:08 am
by estabu2
The Sears books are all very good. Noah Trudeau's book Gettysburg: A Testing of Courage is excellent. I am reading Taken at the Flood, by Joseph L. Harsh. It is a look at the Confederate strategy of the Antietam campaign. So far I am about 1/5 of the way through and it is very good also.
Re:ACW books
Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 7:42 am
by Amish John
First of all, I'm assuming you've already read "The Killer Angels" (historical fiction).
If you haven't, read that first as a warm up to the heavier duty straight history books.
Then I'd recommend three books by Harry Pfanz, and I'd suggest reading them in the following order. The order is just my opinion of how well I like them with my favorite at the top of the list:
Gettysburg: The Second Day
Gettysburg: The First Day
Culps Hill and Cemetery Hill
For heavy duty reading of the entire campaign I'd suggest
The Gettysburg Campaign by E. Coddington
Re:ACW books
Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 8:10 am
by Gfran64
Steven Ambrose has written, "Americans at War" It has a section on the siege at Vicksburg and the campaign leading up to it. Very, very well done. His other chapters were also great and worth reading.
Greg