Shelby Foote’s Civil War Series

It’s a commitment, but a great, great read.

For a comprehensive multi-volume view of the war, this is the starting and ending point.

It is also the content foundation for, arguably, the greatest documentary of all time (Ken Burns' Civil War.)

Start it and you won’t be disappointed

I clock a fair amount of windshield time. It’s one of my go to audible books.

I’ve read it twice in paper form, listened to it too many times to count. I like pick a random chapter or time to listen to when I have a long drive.

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Any thoughts on this or any other suggestions?

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100% read it.

Pay close attention to the many parts not included in the Ken Burns revision of the same conflict

Like the unfair tariffs, and taxation issues before the war, or the rapes, pillaging, and total war on civilians, during the war, etc etc etc Or vindictive martial law afterwards

Good starting point for sure

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aggressive vile lies and propaganda

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That's pretty strong.

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And this book is not the basis whatsoever of that propaganda piece.

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I would like to see your support for that. Foote's entire premise that the war was a "failure to compromise" is the central theme of the documentary. He has more screen time than any other commentator in the series as well.

I stand by my assessment. Nothing is perfect, but to come at this particular work of Burns (I'm not a fan of everything he does) from this angle seems biased, IMHO.

Well...it also doesn't help that Shelby Foote straight up said he would have fought for the Confederacy had he been alive for the Civil War. While some might find that controversial, it actually isn't. The man was born and raised in rural Mississippi just as I was born and raised in rural Alabama. Had I been alive during that time, it's a pretty good bet that I would have fought for the Confederacy too.

As for the books themselves, as far as a multi-volume military history of the conflict, there is none better. Highly recommend.

In my Civil War class in college, we read a couple of James McPherson books. I really like him.

The Hard Hand of War by Mark Grimsley was also very good.

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maybe over the summer I will Pull the trigger

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If you want to get your feet wet, the Gettysburg campaign and the Vicksburg campaign are excerpted from the larger volumes and offered as two slim books; respectively The Stars In Their Courses and The Beleaguered City.

The Stars In Their Courses

The Beleaguered City

The Lost Cause by Pollard if you want the real truth.