In this compelling new account of the American Civil War; noted historian David Eicher gives us an authoritative history of battle from the first shots at Fort Sumter to Lee's surrender at Appomattox. As a strictly military history; The Longest Night covers hundreds of engagements; both well known and obscure; including the oft-neglected Western theater and naval actions along the coasts and rivers. The result is a gripping popular history that will fascinate anyone just learning about the Civil War while offering more than a few surprises for longtime students. Drawing on hundreds of sources and excerpts from correspondence by those who fought the war; The Longest Night conveys a real sense of life -- and death -- on the battlefield. In addition; Eicher analyzes each side's evolving strategy; examines the tactics of Lee; Grant; Johnston; and Sherman; and discusses significant topics such as prisons; railroads; shipbuilding; clandestine operations; and the role of African-Americans in the war. This is an indispensable chronicle of the war that James M. McPherson; in the Foreword; calls "the most dramatic; violent; and fateful experience in American history."
#1061399 in Books Touchstone 1996-02-07Ingredients: Example IngredientsOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.18 x .77 x 6.14l; #File Name: 0684814781368 pages
Review
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful. A Book To Combat Our Whitewashed American HistoryBy phillip kingMy experience of reading this book was mostly frustration because it made me think back to all the Anglo Saxon white hero nonsense that was beaten into my head as a child learning in the American educational system. The frustration also stems from the fact that most child will never know this history because whites (for the most part) want to believe that they are the saviors and their conquering of the west was done single-handedly. The history of black explorers; pioneers and settlers is a legacy completely ignored because with the advent of nonsense like black history month; the history of blacks in this country (much like black families themselves) has been severed and reduced down to a hand full of activists and scholars that whites want us to know about. I had no idea there was such a a close bond between Africans and Indians since the very beginning of slavery. This book acknowledges great black entrepreneurs who prospered in a system designed for them to fail; black political figures who strove for change a century before the civil rights movement and pioneers who fought to combat the white race from taking their land and fought with the white race to take the Indian's land. This isn't a John Ford look at the old west. Black cowboys did really exist (they weren't just a fantasy Tarantino). Blacks had a crucial part in the building of this country and this book gives us our due. Somebody please read this and make a film (a good one); there is so much to go on.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. An historical accountBy S. R. LimperThis is a well rounded view of America's past. From a heretofore left out perspective. Well documented with a lot of fascinating photos.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. The Tom Horn association; makes the wast real for old west buff's!By #76I think I liked this one the most!
