[Sasparilla]

The Democratic Party Platform, 2016.

[lafroste]

My favorite was a book published in the early 70’s called “Ironclads” (don’t remember the author’s full name, but the last name was “McBride”). It was a history about the Monitor and the Merrimack. However, it also revealed the exploits of a Union Lt. who was a confederate spy. His adventures were simply thrilling. It would make one heck of a movie.

[Salvavida]

A Disease in the Public Mind, by Thomas Fleming. GREAT read on why we fought the Civil War. You will not be able to put it down.

[Greetings_Puny_Humans]

bookmark

[eyedigress]

Lincoln by Carl Sandburg

[schurmann]

“The Class of 1846: From West Point to Appomattox- Stonewall Jackson, George McClellan and Their Brothers”

[SkyDancer]

Andersonville.

[georgiegirl]

Don’t laugh: Gone with the Wind.

[lafroste]

I re-read my post and it gives the wrong impression. The Lt. spy was a spy FOR the Union and against the confederacy. He pretended to be a confederate officer.

[TLI]

Yep. John Morgan.

Confederate Calvary.

I believe the one I have on him is “John Hunt Morgan and His Raiders” But the cover looks wrong.

I will check when I get home later but it is an amazing insight to how things were done in that time.

When I was working a contract job in Cincinnati I stood on a bridge north of there that his Raiders burned down 3 times during the course of the war.

He was a heck of a character.

.

[Hamilcar_Barca]

It’s historical fiction, but well grounded in actual events: The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara.

[StoneWall Brigade]

Ping

[stickandrudder]

Jack Hinson: One man war

[SamAdams76]

If you are studying the Civil War, you will want to get on the ping list of Homer J Simpson, who is in year 2 of a 10 year series on the Civil War. He has already recommended several books to read.

Link to the first article in the series is here.

[jeffersondem]

“I am studying our Civil War; anybody have any recommendations for reading?”

Yes. Start with the Declaration of Independence.

[IronJack]

"The Last Full Measure" by Jeffrey Shaara
Bruce Catton's Trilogy, "The Coming Fury", "Terrible Swift Sword", and "Never Call Retreat." "Silence at Appomatox" is superb as well.
Somebody already mentioned Shelby Foote's trilogy, which frankly I found dry and tedious, strangely at odds with Foote's charming personality.

That will keep you busy for a while. I have several encylopedias of the Civil War too, excellent for quick reference or a good overview.

[Fiji Hill]

On constitutional issues and the role of federal and state governments, you might consult The American Republic: Constitution, Tendencies and Destiny by Orestes Brownson(New York: O’Shea, 1866). There are several online versions of this book that are available for free on the Internet.

[elteemike]

Another:

https://www.amazon.com/South-Right-James-Ronald-Kennedy/dp/1565540247

[Ouderkirk]

To get the best understanding, start not with books about the Civil War, but read the books about the aprox 10 years prior to from about 1850 to 1860. Then you will have a better understanding how.

The nitty gritty details of the war itself are well documented. But the decade before will give you more insight into the why. There are things pro and con regarding secession, slavery and a variety of other issues that folk on both sides found to be an egregious violation of their...insert appropriate here (religion, rights, morality, etc.)

Once I had a better understanding of the whys on both sides, the mechanics of how came into a much clearer focus. Many of the Civil War books try to address why, but that is just the author’s opinion. Read the history about the before, and form your own opinion on it and re-read what is out there about the war. It is most illuminating.

[slowhandluke]

Thomas Wood “The Real Lincoln”. Just got done with that one.