Ever since the guns of Gettysburg fell silent; and Lincoln delivered his famous two-minute speech four months after the battle; the story of this three-day conflict has become an American legend. We remember Gettysburg as; perhaps; the biggest; bloodiest; and most important battle ever fought-the defining conflict in American history. But how much truth is behind the legend?In These Honored Dead; Thomas A. Desjardin; a prominent Civil War historian and a perceptive cultural observer; demonstrates how flawed our knowledge of this enormous event has become; and why. He examines how Americans; for seven score years; have shaped; used; altered; and sanctified our national memory; fashioning the story of Gettysburg as a reflection of; and testimony to; our culture and our nation.
#374052 in Books W Bruce Lincoln 1999-05-07Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x 1.50 x 6.00l; 2.00 #File Name: 0306809095640 pagesISBN13: 9780306809095Condition: NewNotes: BRAND NEW FROM PUBLISHER! 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Tracking provided on most orders. Buy with Confidence! Millions of books sold!
Review
37 of 39 people found the following review helpful. Good book on a difficult topic.By Jonathan D. EckelIt is rare to find a book on any civil war that is both factual and objective. _Red Victory_ is one of the rare exceptions. It is remarkably unbiased; and tells the stories of both the "Reds" and the "Whites" without taking sides. It also succeeds in presenting the facts of the fast-moving and unconventional Russian Civil War in a format that is easy to read. It covers not only the civil war but the early years of Communist government; as well. Those who want to dig deeper into the various aspects of the conflict will find the abundant footnotes and bibliography to be of great value.The author's greatest achievement is his excellent analysis of why the Reds ultimately prevailed. Unlike those revisionist authors who claim that the Bolsheviks' military triumph was inevitable; W. Bruce Lincoln shows how the Reds were able to make the most of their opportunities and consolidate their gains while the Whites squandered many of their considerable advantages. Neither enjoyed widespread popular support. Both sides were also guilty of atrocities; as the conditions of post-World War 1 Russia left little room between repression or anarchy. The difference is that the Communists combined repression with reform; and were able to win the reluctant support (or at least toleration) of much of the populace. The Whites; by contrast; even when initially welcomed as liberators; alienated many with their reactionary policies (which included restoring the estates of the hated landowners). Given a choice between "Red Terror" and the Old Order; most Russians opted to take their chances with the former.My only disappointment was the lack of detailed information on the military campaigns of the war. However; this book is much better than _Russia Under the Bolshevik Regime_; by Richard Pipes; which is the only other single-volume work widely available on the topic.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A lose-lose situation -- Paranoid totalitarianism replaces corrupt monarchyBy David BurchGood insight into the evolution of the Bolshevik state. Very readable. Forms the last volume of a loose trilogy -- see Lincoln's In War's Dark Shadow and Passage Through Armageddon. Read them in order to get a good picture of the tragedy of Russian history in the early 20th century.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Great read!By garyThe book is a continuation of his previous two books on the Russian Revolution. I found his listing of key characters at the beginning of the book very helpful to further understand their role during and sometimes after the revolution. The picturesadd to the realism of what happened. I am sure it was hard to find some of the photos that were included.Having met people who had fled Russia during this time and then reading W Bruce Lincoln's works makes me feel a better informed citizen of our world. Were I an educator these would be mandatory reading in my class.Anyone who is down on life should read these books for an immediate appreciation of life today.I wish the author was alive today so I could thank him.
