re: I want to learn about the Civil War

Certainly start with the Foote series. It can be daunting, but it will give you a solid foundational footing for the entire conflict. Once you are there, I would go to Company Aytch, as it gives you a view of a typical front line soldier. Burns uses quotes from this book a good bit in the documentary.

If you have ancestors who fought and know which regiments they were a part of, try to find books on those particular units. I find it makes a much more personal connection if you can read about what your ancestors were doing and where they saw action. These books can also give a better aspect of the feelings of the soldiers - why were these particular men fighting, what was their overarching reason for going to war? I have over 30 Johnny Rebs and a handful of Billy Yanks in my family tree, and I have several books on those specific units.

The Shaara trilogy is a great read, and Jeff's four book series on the western theater is really good - although I thought he missed out by writing around Chickamauga and Atlanta and not including them

I'd start with the Shaara books

they're very entertaining reads that puts you in the minds of these historical figures

I found that by reading these books i connected to the "characters" much more and i was more interested in reading the straight historical texts on them afterwards

For what it's worth, the Wilkinson County museum/library has a collection of Davis family books/journals/letters if you want to get a look into the President of the Confederacy personal and home life.

I'm currently up at our family land digging around the library. Wish my great grandma wouldn't have given leased them to the museum. All I'm stuck with is 1800s magazines, almanacs, and other not so interesting books.

quote:

---

Foote's books

---

Are a narrative, not necessarily a history. There IS a difference. While they are a wonderful and expansive read, they are not necessarily all fact. Keep that in mind. However, I will never hesitate to recommend them.

Battle Cry of Freedom by James McPherson is a great, though somewhat dry (compared to Foote) read the covers the expansie of the conflict. Can't go wrong with this one either.

That's a wonderful piece of history

quote:

---

I have ancestors who fought in Forrest's cavalry

---

There's a book called The Raiding Winter, it's about Forrest's cavalry raids during the war. Very interesting read.