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Summary: A history book that reads like a thriller!
Review: This book has been universally acclaimed since its publication and won the author a Pulitzer Price. After only a few paragraphs its easy to see why. If only all history books were written like this! It may be a cliche but this book really does read like a thriller. This is one of the very few books on any historical subject that I return to again and again - even now I regret having to put it down. The one quality that makes this book so good and so unique is the lucid writing of the author. It is a huge pleasure to read a book about such a complex subject written so simply and clearly. And yet McPherson does it - and by some distance. All the facts are there. The analysis is first rate. The structure of the book is ideal. In short, for civil war "novices" this is an ideal starting point. For civil war "nuts" its an ideal book to return to again and again. It should be essential reading for every American and for everyone else wishing to learn about the United States. James McPherson has done his profession and his country a service. If you should only ever read one book about the Civil War make it this one. Read it and enjoy! Never can learning have been made such a joy.
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Summary: A Mandatory book for all Americans
Review: I gave a copy of this book to my parents when it came out 15 years ago and everytime I go visit them I always at some times take it out and read whatever page I open to. This book is that good !!! I do not know if this is the best book of the War of the Rebellion but I don't know what else surpasses it. The Union Forever !!!!
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Summary: I put it on my top ten historical books of all time
Review: This book is an excellent chance to rediscover what you had forgotten about the war. Good book for someone who knows only the basics, but also a good book for those with a passion for this subject. Read carefully enough, and you will notice that McPherson shows the blunders that the Union generals made just as much as he shows the blunders of the Rebels. Take it to heart--it will put you right in the battles. It made me dream of these places I have never been.
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Summary: Totally radical, dude, in the membrane. Surfs up! Man!
Review: Like, I was readin' it and I was like whoa man, this is some heavy stuff dude. It a radical! General Lincoln, man! And that dude with the sideburns, whoa man. And when he had the brainstorm. A great summer read! And I was like, wow. That Jameas McFearsome is. Wow man, bye.
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Summary: The BEST single book on the Civil War era
Review: McPherson has done an extraordinary job of presenting the history of a complex time period, the Civil War era (including the events leading up to the war). While literally tens of thousands of books have been written on this subject, "Battle Cry of Freedom" is unsurpassed in its ability to clearly explain the best current understanding of what took place, in language that will captivate the reader, covering all aspects of the times in just the right amount of detail. The author strikes a careful balance, treating all sides in the conflict honestly and perceptively. The quality of the research that underlies this book is impeccable. This would be the one single book I would recommend most strongly to anyone who wanted to learn about the events leading up to the war as well as the war itself. It is easily understandable by the novice, yet also quite worthy of reading even by one who is already an expert on the history of this period. If you could read only one book on American history, this should be it!
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Summary: McPherson's Book Is Anti-Condederecy- GOOD!
Review: This book does take a point of view that favours the northern one.All the people out there who take pride in their racist Confederate past hopefully will see the light thanks to this enthralling book.
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Summary: A very definitive account which explores the whys and hows
Review: I read this for a Civil War class in graduate school and was greatly impressed with how thorough and probing it was. It not only explored in easy-to-read detail the significant battles and skirmishes of the war, but also was able to lay an excellent groundwork for why things happened, who was involved, the reasons for particular military decisions, and the mood and pace of the country at that time. If you were to only read one Civil War book, I recommend this one.
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Summary: The best book of the civil war yet written
Review: This is the best one volume narrative of the civil war I have read. It provides a great look into the causes of the war and its effects, it doesn't get too bogged down in the backwater information that some historians try impress readers with. I would reccomned this book to anyone with even a passing interest in history. A fine read.
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Summary: A great primer on the Civil War
Review: A fantastic single-volume overview of the Civil War. It is very informative, yet reads like a novel. It provides great background, as well as incentive, for one to tackle Shelby Foote's wonderful three volume narrative.
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Summary: For a nonbook fan, I thought this book was great!
Review: Myself, I hate reading (case in point, I own the 9 volume Ken Burns PBS Civil War series). It takes an extraordinary book to catch and keep my attention. This book goes far and beyond that. The 862 page book took me several weeks to finish. It seemed as if I had to re-read several paragraphs. Not because I didn't understand them, but because I kept learning something new. I only wish this book was published when I was in high school. I've enjoyed Civil War history for several years now and will be proud to add other books written by James M. McPherson to my library. Because of this book, and it's many references to Mary Chestnut's Civil War (Edited by C. Vann Woodward), I purchased this book last night and look forward to reading it.
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