Civil war alternate history novels nonfiction history. The civil war has produced a staggering amount of fodder for literature, both fiction and nonfiction. Popular fiction american civil war books goodreads. Dec 26, 20 somebody recently asked me what was the best book to read about the civil war. This list may not reflect recent changes learn more. Online shopping from a great selection at books store. Hed gotten interested recently, and wanted a good history. Theres definitely no shortage of books about the american civil war. The best examples bring this fascinating period of history to life and illuminate the many ways in which the war changed the course of u. For more books about history, check out our lists of historical fiction and graphic novels that teach history. Jeff shahara wrote the killer angels, the definitive historical fiction book about chamberlain and the battle of gettysburg, and he and his son have written numerous other good books about the ci. Somebody recently asked me what was the best book to read about the civil war. Christian inspirational historical fiction military heroes through history book 2.
Ive been interested in that aspect of it and wondering if there are any good books on that subject. Aug 14, 2017 historical fiction lovers have it good. Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers. Mar 14, 2015 the best military science fiction isnt just a bunch of space battles and cigarchomping armed combat although those are fun. From james mcphersons definitive history to tony horwitzs adventures among obsessives, here are. It sets the bar for the way in which historical fiction, grounded in research and vivified by imagination, can enter a historical. May 06, 2016 10 nonfiction books about the civil war that will fascinate any history buff. 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. Jun 22, 2017 2 thoughts on best books about the civil war judson hair june 23, 2019 at 11. 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. Sorting through the good, the bad, the great, and the lifechanging isnt easy. There are a lot of books covering this period so any recommendations will be. Dec 27, 2010 the top 12 civil war books ever written.
No wonder, then, that the war has been the subject of so many dramatic films and documentaries. The english civil war is a wonderful setting for historical fiction and romance. The history books can tell us much about the trauma of war, but for those who prefer the emotional truths that can be conveyed by a good novel. The civil war is the most written about event in united states history. This is by no means an exhaustive listtheres a lot of good stuff out. There are an extraordinary number of books covering all aspects of the war from large overviews like james mcphersons battle cry freedom, gary gallaghers books on the union war and the confederate war, allan nevins 8 volume set on the conflict, and shelby footes three volume set of books on the war. The civil war was the bloodiest in american history, and also resulted in some of the most incredible stories. 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. 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.
Project gutenberg offers 61,672 free ebooks for kindle, ipad, nook, android, and iphone. The civil war era is one of the most fascinating in our nations history. 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. Whittling all historical fiction books into one manageable list is impossible, truly. Shelby footes history trilogy begins with the civil war. Civil war books fiction 19th century photographs notes. This list compiled by cheryl hassler, features some fiction titles that are set in this critical time in our history.
The books on this list fiction, nonfiction, classics, and recent releases can help kids understand the civil war and its legacy. The centennial history of the civil war, 186165, 3 vols. Nov 27, 2019 this is a list about the best novels about the civil war. Can anybody recommend any good civil war alternate history novels. The best civil war books of all time analysis civil war. Five novels of the english civil war deborah swift. Gifted and cursed with the ability to see the future, mildred groves takes a position at the hanford research center in the early 1940s.
The other books just become more and more formulaic, he gets unnecessarily graphic in writing about sex. Aug, 2012 civil war books for kids can help spark an interest in history or fuel a fire thats already been lit. See more ideas about historical fiction, fiction and books. We wanted to include a variety of volumes to appeal to many different tastes. I have started reading bernard cornwells starbuck chronicles but so far it reads more like a soap opera with far to much emphasis on the protagonists ill fated love life. Death and the american civil war by drew gilpin faust.
The best military science fiction isnt just a bunch of space battles and cigarchomping armed combat although those are fun. So here, in no particular order, are my nine favorite civil war novels. Ernest hemingway was one such writer he reported upon the war for the north american newspaper alliance. Historical fiction or factual as long as it has a good story thrown in.
If your looking for a book from the soldiers perspective there is no better book than the last full measure. 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. The civil war was the bloodiest conflict in american history, turning brother against brother and devastating large regions of the country. The civil war was not only the last war fought entirely on u.
Recently, jim hessler and eric lindblade did a podcast discussing their favorite reference sources and books about the battle. A narrative by shelby foote as exhaustive a rendering of the military history of the civil war as any ever attempted, footes 2,968page, 1. Jun 23, 2019 the civil war was the bloodiest conflict in american history, turning brother against brother and devastating large regions of the country. Earth is introduced to extraterrestrial life by the galactics, who tell world leaders. 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 civil war was the deadliest ever fought on american soil.
The year of jubilo, and especially the judas field are up there with it. The books on this list capture the drama, excitement, and fear of the terrible war, keeping readers on the edge of their seats even as they keep them informed. 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. Anything about how life was and the healing or not healing that went on. I prefer historical fiction but also interested in nonfiction on this subject. This hallowed ground the story of the union side of the civil war by bruce catton. If, like me, you received a necktie with reindeer on it from santa instead of a good civil war book under the christmas tree, then you might try. With accounts of history and good information, it is a mustread for any history buff. Imo, its still the best one volume treatment of the war. 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. Chamberlain raised his saber, let loose the shout that was the greatest sound he could make, boiling. Jan 23, 2019 whittling all historical fiction books into one manageable list is impossible, truly. Apr, 2011 the history books can tell us much about the trauma of war, but for those who prefer the emotional truths that can be conveyed by a good novel, here are 10 classic stories of the us civil war.
In fact, according to the library of congress civil war desk reference, over 70,000 books have been published on various aspects of the civil war and more are being published every day. Books about the civil war, including fiction and non fiction selections. 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. A fastpaced chronicle of the fighting on the battlefield and the infighting in the political capitals of washington and richmond. The killer angels by michael shaara, gone with the wind by margaret mitchell, cold mountain by charles frazier, gods. The best civil war books of all time analysis civil. 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. Discover the best civil war books, fiction and nonfiction alike. A fictional so far history of the second american civil war. I set my own orphans in the storm at the tail end of the war, and am always on the lookout for more fiction set in this period. For those of you who dont want to take the couple of hours to listen to. 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.
Since both are reputable licensed battlefield guides, i think that their opinions are helpful. His the black flower is one of the most heartbreaking books on the war. I suppose that if you come to it without my civil war baggage, it would be a good read, providing you dont get worn out by the excessive detail. Could anyone recommend any good books on this period please. Bankss capacious, fully realized answer brings the man, his family, and this country in the runup to the civil war onto the page. Division means tension, choice the things that stories feed on. The life and death of the first minnesota volunteers. I am looking for life after the war for either side. The history books can tell us much about the trauma of war, but for those who prefer the emotional truths that can be conveyed by a good novel, here are 10 classic stories of the us civil war. Best gettysburg book list nonfiction history of the civil war. 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. 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.
This list of novels about the civil war is sponsored by the cassandra, the new novel by sharma shields, winner of the washington state book award. Also known as the war between the states or the american civil war, this battle lasted from 1861 1865 in the united states. Soldiers heart by gary paulsen historical fiction written in a 15 year old union recruits perspective. Any recommended reading list therefore has to be highly selective and at least somewhat. Steer clear of boring civil war books and instead choose one or several from the list below. 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.
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. Rantings of a civil war historian were in some pretty good. The most interesting books also examine what life in the military actually involves, and what combat can do to a persons mind. These novels are in the league of the best civil war fiction ever written. Five greatest books about the civil war nonfiction. Rejoice in the fact youre no longer in school and choose to learn american history by reading these fascinating novels about the civil war. Books about united states history civil war, 18611865 fiction sorted by popularity project gutenberg. Civil war books for kids can help spark an interest in history or fuel a fire thats already been lit. Any recommended reading list therefore has to be highly selective and at least somewhat arbitrary. Nonfiction history of the civil war civil war alternate history novels. The following 81 pages are in this category, out of 81 total. Books about the civil war, including fiction and nonfiction selections. The best civil war books of all time analysis civil war monitor. Howard bahrs trilogy is some of the best writing on the civil war in fiction or nonfiction.
So rather than identify the ten best civil war novels, heres a list of some that shouldnt be missed. Theres a huge market now in swordandsandal historical fiction drawing on the chaos of roman politics and wars. Ive read all here except the republic of suffering i enjoyed the differing perspectives between foote, cotton, and mcphereson as they covered the same ground. 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. The widow of the south by robert hicks, march by geraldine brooks, the secrets of mary bowser by lois leveen, the. What are the best historically accurate books about the. Five greatest books about the civil war nonfiction history. This is a list about the best novels about the civil war.
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