Product Description Now featuring a new Afterword by the author, this handy paperback edition of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Battle Cry of Freedom is without question the definitive one-volume history of the Civil War. James McPherson's fast-paced narrative fully integrates the political, social, and military events that crowded the two decades from the outbreak of one war in Mexico to the ending of another at Appomattox. Packed with drama and analytical insight, the book vividly recounts the momentous episodes that preceded the Civil War including the Dred Scott decision, the Lincoln-Douglas debates, John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry. From there it moves into a masterful chronicle of the war itself--the battles, the strategic maneuvering by each side, the politics, and the personalities. Particularly notable are McPherson's new views on such matters as the slavery expansion issue in the 1850s, the origins of the Republican Party, the causes of secession, internal dissent and anti-war opposition in the North and the South, and the reasons for the Union's victory. The book's title refers to the sentiments that informed both the Northern and Southern views of the conflict. The South seceded in the name of that freedom of self-determination and self-government for which their fathers had fought in 1776, while the North stood fast in defense of the Union founded by those fathers as the bulwark of American liberty. Eventually, the North had to grapple with the underlying cause of the war, slavery, and adopt a policy of emancipation as a second war aim. This "new birth of freedom," as Lincoln called it, constitutes the proudest legacy of America's bloodiest conflict. This authoritative volume makes sense of that vast and confusing "second American Revolution" we call the Civil War, a war that transformed a nation and expanded our heritage of liberty.
Amazon.com Review Published in 1988 to universal acclaim, this single-volume treatment of the Civil War quickly became recognized as the new standard in its field. James M. McPherson, who won the Pulitzer Prize for this book, impressively combines a brisk writing style with an admirable thoroughness. He covers the military aspects of the war in all of the necessary detail, and also provides a helpful framework describing the complex economic, political, and social forces behind the conflict. Perhaps more than any other book, this one belongs on the bookshelf of every Civil War buff.
Battle Cry of Freedom November 16, 2008 This is a very good general history of the Civil War in one book. It is easy reading. Do not get this book if you are looking for great depth of history on the War. But if you are a novice enthusiast of the Civil War, this is a great book to read. It will give you a good base of knowledge to build upon.
A Feast of Facts and Intrigue October 24, 2008 This hefty tome is comprehensive and cram-packed with details. But fear not. You know the basics. You know the outcome. You know many of the key events. And yet this book is a gripping, edge-of-the-seat page turner.
The amount of research done in preparation for this book is simply incredible. Readers need not doubt the facts presented. Extensive quotations make the sentiments from all viewpoints come alive.
A large portion of the book is devoted to an exposition of factors that contributed to the Civil War: an economic downturn, legislation lowering tariffs impacting the North negatively but advantaging the South who imported many products, anti-immigrant proclivities, and so on.
The author does not shy away from offering personal opinions on some issues, but he presents enough facts for the reader to reach independent conclusions. For example, McPherson tackles the Constitutional legality of secession. He also examines the extent that non-slaveowners in the South where pro-slavery. Plantation magnates feared that non-slaveowners would sympathize with the anti-slavery movement and destroy the Confederacy from within, so they began a campaign preaching white supremacy.
Every twist and turn is there for your delight. Many abolitionists were dedicated to peaceful resistance, but as they witnessed the treatment of slaves who had escaped to free states, many became convinced that violence was necessary to break the bonds of slavery. John Brown was an early advocate of the necessity of violence in removing the cancer of slavery. McPherson's breathes life into Brown's exploits in the Kansas territory and his later misconceived attack on Harper's Ferry, leading to the popular perception of his martyrdom for the anti-slavery cause.
All in all, this is a fantastic book. And it's detail and heft is a boon, because it only makes the reader want more.
Enjoy!
Dale October 8, 2008 I own over 500 Civil War books and this is by the best. It's very detailed, but still very interesting. I would recommend this book to an individual wanting to know something about the Civil War or to an individual already very knowledgeable on the Civil War.
Kindle Edition has problems August 22, 2008 0 out of 1 found this review helpful
This review is purely as to the flaws of the Kindle transfer -- the book itself is a masterpiece I've reread with pleasure on paper over the years. Unfortunately the transfer is a rough scanned-PDF type that is MUCH harder to read than other Kindle books. Caveat Emptor.
Excellent August 14, 2008 0 out of 1 found this review helpful
This book is full of infomation about the times of the Civil War. Very informative about why things happened. Excellent.
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