audiobook The American War: A History of the Civil War Era by Gary W. Gallagher; Joan Waugh in History

Review

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. An in-depth look at a comprehensible levelBy Theodore HynesVery well written book on the American Civil War that not only presents the war itself but gives an in-depth look at the people; rich and poor; black and white; men and women; free and slave; American and Immigrant; and so on. It is different because it is written in such a way that I can use it even in the high schools. Brilliant collaboration and I look forward to the possibility of future works.1 of 3 people found the following review helpful. The War That Made AmericaBy Christian SchlectA useful one-volume survey of the Civil War and Reconstruction. Like all such abbreviated efforts it leads a reader to desire further; more in depth; accounts of the various aspects of this momentous time in American history. In this regard; a good guide to further reading is supplied at the back of this book.This book seems aimed at the college-level reader who requires the basics. In this it does a good job.Some quarrels of mine with the text: A) I do not share the authors interpretation that the Confederacy constituted a "nation." Nor did President Lincoln at the time. B) I think the space devoted to the few females who served as soldiers; in homage to modern gender analyses; might have been better spent on John Brown; whose raid help trigger the conflagration. C) President Lincoln; who was the central figure of the war; appears here somewhat fleetingly and distant.In terms of of the book's layout; I dislike what seems to be a trend in publishing to place the authors name(s) at the top of every or every other page.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. The American War: The History of the Civil War ...By EcugradThe American War: The History of the Civil War Era is sure to spark much debate in the world of professional historians as well as among those in the non-academic arena who are fascinated by America’s bloodiest war. Professors Gary Gallagher and Joan Waugh have authored an extremely well researched and argued work that seeks to analyze the multiple players and events during the tumultuous years before; during; and after the War. With clear and concise prose; the authors effectively utilize the latest historical knowledge based upon primary resources to illustrate the multi-dimensional aspect of the conflict that pitted the United States of American against the newly created; but determined to survive as an independent nation; Confederate States of America. The American War argues; with convincing historical evidence; that the War was not simply a “War between the States”; but was in fact a struggle between two separate and distinct nations fighting to ensure the survival of their very different visions of the future of North America.The American War describes how the loyal citizens of the United States entered the conflict with the belief that the “union” must be preserved at all costs; while the Confederate States were equally determined to ensure that their new nation; founded upon the institution of slavery; would continue in perpetuity for generations to come. Gallagher and Waugh trace the beginnings of the War’s origin from the compromises of the Constitution through the various political conflicts of the 1800s; culminating with the first shots of the War at Fort Sumter. The authors then examine the political and military aspects of the War as it progresses and explain the relationship between the two; an aspect often ignored by some historians who concentrate on only one sphere of the conflict. The book concludes with the successes and failures of Reconstruction as well as how the memory of the War was manipulated by both sides for their benefit.The American War is a must read for anyone seeking to understand the origins and outcomes of the Civil War and how the conflict still resonates with us today. Some will label the book; incorrectly; as revisionist history. The more discerning reader will recognize the logical and well defended thesis that the War was indeed between two rival nations; one seeking to ensure the survival of the Union; while the other sought to build a nation upon the inequality of chattel slavery. The authors also recognize and describe the vital contributions of black Americans; enslaved and free; to ensure the United States of America’s victory in the War. In addition; Gallagher and Waugh continue to evaluate the long and often flawed attempts of the reunited nation to grant the newly freedmen their hard fought rights during the Reconstruction Era. The American War is an important addition to the historiography of the Civil War and will certainly be required reading by anyone who honestly seeks to understand America’s most important conflict.