Synopses & Reviews
The single most important volume for anyone interested in the Civil War to own and consult. (From the foreword by James M. McPherson) The first guide to Civil War literature to appear in nearly 30 years, this book provides the most comprehensive, up-to-date, and informative survey and analysis of the vast body of Civil War literature. More than 40 essays, each by a specialist in a particular subfield of Civil War history, offer unmatched thoroughness and discerning assessments of each work's value. The essays cover every aspect of the war from strategy, tactics, and battles to logistics, intelligence, supply, and prisoner-of-war camps, from generals and admirals to the men in the ranks, from the Atlantic to the Far West, from fighting fronts to the home front. Some sections cover civilian leaders, the economy, and foreign policy, while others deal with the causes of war and aspects of Reconstruction, including the African-American experience during and after the war.
Breadth of topics is matched by breadth of genres covered. Essays discuss surveys of the war, general reference works, published and unpublished papers, diaries and letters, as well as the vast body of monographic literature, including books, dissertations, and articles. Genealogical sources, historical fiction, and video and audio recordings also receive attention. Students of the American Civil War will find this work an indispensable gateway and guide to the enormous body of information on America's pivotal experience.
Review
This massive work has 47 contributors, all distinguished scholars on the period...This book is intended to guide both the neophyte and experienced Civil War scholar. The essays show trends and changes in historical interpretations and sometimes even mention areas in need of further research... It is current and extensive in its coverage. Academic, public, and Civil War collections should consider this excellent reference source for their collections.Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin
Review
Woodworth has orchestrated the contributions of librarians, museum curators, and historians, forty-nine strong, into a bibliographic guide that will help both the newcomer and the seasoned Civil War researcher sift through the masses of material published about that conflict, its causes, its conduct, and its aftermath.... the Civil War, at least for researchers, begins henceforth with Woodworth's handbook.Rettig on Reference
Review
This book will guide the reader to works and sources that will be valuable in a particular area of study. It should serve those who are turning their attention to one of its many facets they haven't yet explored....Using this book should save students of the War, new or experienced, false starts and wasted effort, and speed them on their way to the productive examination of America's "fiery trial"...Confederate Veteran
Review
[I]mmensely valuable as [a] reference work. Steven Woodworth [has] provided [a] guide that will help professional historians and beginners sort out Civil War literature. [This] indispensible volume should be included in every Civil War library.The Journal of Southwest Georgia History
Review
Woodworth's handbook is an excellent guide through the immense bibliography of America's greatest conflict. More than 45 specialists provide bibliographic essays on a wide range of topics...Many of the substantial essays are important not only for their bibliographic content, but for their analysis of the changing themes and trends of Civil War scholarship....Scope and quality make this an ideal reference text for students, bibliographers, scholars, and curators of Civil War materials. Highly recommended.Choice
Synopsis
"The single most important volume for anyone interested in the Civil War to own and consult." From the foreword by James M. McPherson
Synopsis
"The single most important volume for anyone interested in the Civil War to own and consult." From the foreword by James M. McPherson The first guide to Civil War literature to appear in nearly 30 years, this book provides a comprehensive, up-to-date, and informative survey and analysis of the vast body of Civil War literature. More than 40 essays, each by a specialist in a particular subfield of Civil War history, offer unmatched thoroughness and discerning assessments of each work's value. The essays cover every aspect of the war from strategy, tactics, and battles to logistics, intelligence, and supply, from generals to men in the ranks. Some sections cover civilian leaders, the economy, and foreign policy, while others deal with the causes of war and Reconstruction. Breadth of topics is matched by breadth of genres covered.
About the Author
STEVEN E. WOODWORTH is Associate Professor of History at Toccoa Falls College in Georgia.
Table of Contents
Foreword by James M. McPherson
Preface
Introduction
General Secondary Sources
Surveys and Textbooks by Steven E. Woodworth
General Reference Works by Daniel E. Sutherland
Bibliographies By T. Michael Parrish
Periodical Indexes by Alan C. Aimone
Genealogical Sources by Alan C. Aimone
General Primary Sources
Memoirs, Diaries, and Letters by Judith Lee Hallock
Published Papers by Michael L. Renshawe
Unpublished Manuscript Collections by Steven Fisher
Illustrative Materials
Maps, Charts, and Atlases by David Bosse
Photographs and Drawings by Charles Edmund Vetter and Gary Dillard Joiner
Causation--Events Leading to the War
Slavery, Race, and Culture by Eric H. Walther
Constitutional and Political Factors by Frederick J. Blue
Economic Factors by James M. Russell
International Relations
Union International Relations by Daniel K. Blewett
Confederate International Relations by Warren F. Spencer
Leaders
Abraham Lincoln by Mark Neely
Jefferson Davis by Michael Ballard
Union Civilian Leaders by Alan C. Guelzo
Confederate Civilian Leaders by Robert England
Strategy and Tactics: Operations, Campaigns, and Battles
Eastern Theater by Stephen Davis
Western Theater by Mark Grimsley
Trans-Mississippi Theater by Anne J. Bailey
War On Inland Waters by B. Franklin Cooling
War at Sea by Stephen R. Wise, Robert Holcombe, Jr., and Kevin Foster
Conduct of the War
Leadership--Union Army Officers by John Marszalek
Leadership--Confederate Army Officers by Grady McWhiney
Leadership--Union Naval Officers by Thomas V. Legg
Leadership--Confederate Naval Officers by Theodore P. Savas
Modern War/Total War by Mark Grimsley
Ordnance by Alan Downs
Supplies by Edward Carr Franks
Intelligence Activities by William Feis
Medical Activities by J. Harris Riley
Enlisted Soldiers by William Garrett Piston
Prison Camps and Prisoners of War by Michael B. Chesson
The Homefront
Northern States and Local Politics by Kyle S. Sinisi
Southern States and Local Politics by Bradley Bond
Industry, Agriculture, and the Economy by Lee A. Craig
Northern Social Conditions by J. Matthew Gallman
Southern Social Conditions by Bill Cecil-Fronsman
Reconstruction and Beyond
Southern Occupation by Richard Zuczek
Economics by Howard Bodenhorn
Emancipation, Freedom, and the Freedman's Bureau by James Alex Bagget
Veterans' Organizations and Memories of the War by Gaines M. Foster
Popular Media
Novels and Other Fictional Accounts by Sharon Gravett
Films and Television by Brian Steel Wills
Narrative and Musical Recordings by Susan Hamburger
Appendix: Publishers and Dealers of Civil War Literature by T. Michael Parrish
Author Index
Title Index
Subject Index