Rating: 
Summary: All the pluses and minuses of the series
Review: As is the case in all the "Writer's Guide to Everyday Life" books, it is of course impossible for author Varhola to cover in full depth in so brief a book the vast and complex canvas that was the American Civil War. That much said, he does a very good job with the space he has. His price lists, descriptions of money, and period terms are especially well done and useful, and I found his descriptions of city life fascinating. As is usual, he does slip up once or twice (canned goods, for example, were developed in Napoleonic France and first commercially manufactured in the USA in the 1820's, though it's true that the industry didn't really take off till the War created a huge demand for portable food with a long shelf life), but that's probably inevitable. He also provides a lengthy bibliography which (with the Recommendations on this page) should give interested readers plenty of detailed background on the aspects that most intrigue them. This is definitely a book that should be read by all CW social-history buffs.
Rating:
Summary: All the pluses and minuses of the series
Review: As is the case in all the "Writer's Guide to Everyday Life" books, it is of course impossible for author Varhola to cover in full depth in so brief a book the vast and complex canvas that was the American Civil War. That much said, he does a very good job with the space he has. His price lists, descriptions of money, and period terms are especially well done and useful, and I found his descriptions of city life fascinating. As is usual, he does slip up once or twice (canned goods, for example, were developed in Napoleonic France and first commercially manufactured in the USA in the 1820's, though it's true that the industry didn't really take off till the War created a huge demand for portable food with a long shelf life), but that's probably inevitable. He also provides a lengthy bibliography which (with the Recommendations on this page) should give interested readers plenty of detailed background on the aspects that most intrigue them. This is definitely a book that should be read by all CW social-history buffs.
Rating:
Summary: Student writing with Everyday Life During the Civil War
Review: For educators looking for a core source book to use in conjunction with an integrated Civil War era unit, Everyday Life During the Civil War is a must.Each chapter deals with a particular aspect of the Civil War time period, which could easily be assigned to a group to explore, create a display, and present to the class. Such topic areas include the people of the North and South; currency, clothing, dry goods; life in cities and rural areas; food and diets; fun and games; the different armed services; technology; and arms, equipment and uniforms. Some areas could be subdivided, and in many cases, comparisons could be made between civilian and military conditions. Also, included in each chapter are important terms and definitions, drawings, and sometimes the cost of items. Language Arts teachers will find the chapter on slang and idiom particularly useful. Not only are interesting and unique words and phrases presented, but how the language of the North and the South differed. The influence that immigrant groups had on our usage and vocabulary is also explored. The book concludes with a Civil War time-line, recommended books and internet sites, as well as a short section of Civil War songs and poems. As noted in the Introduction, "Everyday Life During the Civil War is intended to be a broad-based introduction to the day-to-day conditions, attitudes, and events of the period. For some, this book may be the only tool they need to research the Civil War, or one of just a few." I couldn't agree more. David B. McCoy, middle school history
Rating: 
Summary: a very great help
Review: I AM LIKE SEVERAL OF YOU OUT THERE,TRYING TO WRITE A CIVIL WAR NOVAL,I HAVE BEEN IN MUCH STUDY AND RESEARCH AS IT ALLWAYS TAKES
AND THIS BOOK ANSWERED MOST OF MY QUESTIONS IN A SINGLE DAY.
"AUTHOR" YOU DID GOOD.
Rating: 
Summary: Alternate Title - The Civil War Bathroom Book?
Review: My reaction to this book was extremely mixed. I ordered it by mistake, after confusing it with another book that had "Everyday Life" in the title. The section about the involvement of the various states in the war was generally excellent--and provided a good reminder that the Civil War didn't affect only the eastern seaboard states that tend to get the most attention. Details about country and city life, military organization and insignia, the war's timeline, shortages in the south, and events leading up to the war were extremely helpful. This information is concise, well organized, and well illustrated. What concerns me in books that are supposed to serve as a factual resource for others is when I find obvious errors. The women's fashion section perpetuates Hollywood myths about Civil War-era fashions. Mr. Varhola would have done well to consult Juanita Leitch's well-researched "Who Wore What," considered the Bible for those involved in living history depicting the 1850s and 1860s. Instead, he leaves the reader with the impression that most women dressed like Scarlett O'Hara. The two pictures he selected to portray women's fashions are a ruffled ballgown, reminiscent of Scarlett's white dress in GWTW, and a Zoave jacket/Garibaldi shirt combination favored by less-authentic Civil War reenactors. Experts on 1860s fashion consider the latter a high-fashion item that most average women would not have worn. Terminology and descriptions about underpinnings also do not ring true. I would give the overall book four stars, but the fashion section and some disappointing information about my home state two stars, thus my rating is an average. Someone just learning about the period would find the book quite useful--as long as they ignored the fashion section. Those more familiar with the period likely would regard it as a less useful rehash of information they have already read.
Rating:
Summary: Alternate Title - The Civil War Bathroom Book?
Review: My reaction to this book was extremely mixed. I ordered it by mistake, after confusing it with another book that had "Everyday Life" in the title. The section about the involvement of the various states in the war was generally excellent--and provided a good reminder that the Civil War didn't affect only the eastern seaboard states that tend to get the most attention. Details about country and city life, military organization and insignia, the war's timeline, shortages in the south, and events leading up to the war were extremely helpful. This information is concise, well organized, and well illustrated. What concerns me in books that are supposed to serve as a factual resource for others is when I find obvious errors. The women's fashion section perpetuates Hollywood myths about Civil War-era fashions. Mr. Varhola would have done well to consult Juanita Leitch's well-researched "Who Wore What," considered the Bible for those involved in living history depicting the 1850s and 1860s. Instead, he leaves the reader with the impression that most women dressed like Scarlett O'Hara. The two pictures he selected to portray women's fashions are a ruffled ballgown, reminiscent of Scarlett's white dress in GWTW, and a Zoave jacket/Garibaldi shirt combination favored by less-authentic Civil War reenactors. Experts on 1860s fashion consider the latter a high-fashion item that most average women would not have worn. Terminology and descriptions about underpinnings also do not ring true. I would give the overall book four stars, but the fashion section and some disappointing information about my home state two stars, thus my rating is an average. Someone just learning about the period would find the book quite useful--as long as they ignored the fashion section. Those more familiar with the period likely would regard it as a less useful rehash of information they have already read.
Rating:
Summary: An invaluable guide for historic wargamers.
Review: SKIRMISHER has long recommended books from Writer's Digest's "Everyday Life" series as extremely useful guides for all sorts of games, from table-top wargames to roleplaying games (RPGs). "Everyday Life During the Civil War," the most recent release in this series, is undoubtedly also the most useful in this regard. Wargamers will find detailed information about small arms, melee weapons, and heavy weaponry alike, while RPGers will find everything they need to create a Civil War milieu, from a comprehensive overview of conditions in each state during the Civil War to sections on clothes and uniforms, food and diet, games and entertainment, and language (indeed, a detailed chapter on slang and idiom is likely to be especially appreciated by "live action" gamers). For historic wargamers, this book is a must.
Rating:
Summary: Very enjoyable to read.
Review: This book is organized in such away that you could skip around and pick out just the information that you wanted, but I really enjoyed reading it from cover to cover. It gave me a deeper understanding of what life was like during the Civil War. Now I'll enjoy books and movies about that era even more because I'll be able to put them in a richer context. Writers and reenactors will particularly enjoy this book, but it will appeal to anyone who likes history.
Rating:
Summary: Great Resource for Grade School Projects
Review: This book is packed full of resources for children seeking to put together a costume,plan a recipe or write historical fiction. It is cleverly organized and entertaining for all ages. It serves to spark the imagination and encourage research. Ann Stanford
Rating:
Summary: An extremely helpful and worthwhile addition to any library.
Review: Varhola's book has been quite useful to me. A far cry from the usual recounting of battle minutiae, the book has cleared up several of my misperceptions about what life was like during the Civil War era. Chapter 8, "Slang and Idiom," is a must for any writer hoping to create believable--and accurate--period dialogue; and the book as a whole is loaded with the type of information that would interest anyone remotely interested in this aspect of our country's history. Bravo!
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