The Illustrated Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era

Rating:
Summary: Still the place to start
Review: It's been fifteen years since "Battle Cry" first appeared -- and time has only enhanced its standing. The book is still the place to start for anyone seeking to understand the war era or, for that matter, anyone seeking to understand the sinews of American national identity. Some readers have taken issue with "Battle Cry"'s triumphant tone; recent books have tended to stress cynicism over affirmation. Still, McPherson's achievements here are legion. This new edition contains hundreds of impressive photographs -- most readers will delight in these, even if McPherson's original footnotes had to be cut in order to make room.

Rating:
Summary: This is a really sweet edition of a classic
Review: McPherson's BATTLE CRY OF FREEDOM has long established itself as arguably the finest single-volume history of the Civil War. This new illustrated edition manages to establish itself as one of the most attractive. It contains the entire text of the original work, and has added hundreds of beautiful illustrations, maps, and photographs. It looks great!

If I have a complaint, it is that the book is now too large and heavy to read except sitting at home. It is hard to carry such a large book with you on a hike or to work to read at lunch. He just weighs too much. But if one doesn't mind having a book that one can only read at home, I heartily recommend the book.

Rating:
Summary: This is a really sweet edition of a classic
Review: McPherson's BATTLE CRY OF FREEDOM has long established itself as arguably the finest single-volume history of the Civil War. This new illustrated edition manages to establish itself as one of the most attractive. It contains the entire text of the original work, and has added hundreds of beautiful illustrations, maps, and photographs. It looks great!

If I have a complaint, it is that the book is now too large and heavy to read except sitting at home. It is hard to carry such a large book with you on a hike or to work to read at lunch. He just weighs too much. But if one doesn't mind having a book that one can only read at home, I heartily recommend the book.

Rating:
Summary: McPherson's Illustrated Battle Cry of Freedom
Review: Professor James McPherson's "Battle Cry of Freedom" initially appeared in 1988 and received the Pulitzer Prize, together with great popular and critical acclaim, for its detailed single-volume study of the Civil War. Recently, in "The Illustrated Battle Cry of Freedom" (2003), Professor McPherson has reformatted and edited his outstanding 1988 study. The major change to the book is the addition of many illustrations, which include photographs, portraits, paintings, cartoons, drawings, and maps from the Civil War era. To make room for the illustrations, about 20 percent of the original text has been cut, and there are no footnotes and bibliography.

This illustrated version is, probably, the best single-volume introduction to the Civil War. (Some of the works by
Bruce Catton come close.) The illustrations add an irreplaceable element to the story and enable the reader to see and to get the feel of the Civil War, its era, and its major protagonists in a way the printed word cannot capture. The photographs and the contemporary artwork, including drawings and paintings by the soldiers, are difficult to find in one place. I found they added a great deal to my understanding.

Apart from the illustrations, this book remains a magisterial overview of the Civil War. The book weaves together descriptions of the military campaigns of the War with discussions of the sources of the conflict. It discusses in depth the differences between the North and the South in their conceptions of freedom and in their understanding of our country. McPherson covers the domestic fronts of the War, including both economic and social issues, in both North and South and also explains the efforts of both sides in the sphere of international relations. The book focuses on the change of the Civil War from a conflict to restore the Union to a total war to create a unified Nation. The climactic point of the story is President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation which made the abolitition of slavery an irreducible element of the Union war effort.

McPherson describes eloquently how the Civil War effected a radical change in our country from a loose union of states to a united Nation. He discusses the changing concept of human freedom and liberty which emerged from the War and which remains evolving in our country to this day. The valor of the soldiers and civilians on both sides of the conflict is presented from the inside and with respect and reverence. McPherson shows the reader how and why the Civil War was the turning point in our Nation's history and encourages the reader to reflect and to explore further.

This book is large,heavy and bulky, making it unsuitable to carry around for reading on the bus, train, or in the park. The loss of portions of the text is a pity, but it is more than compensated by the illustrations. Readers who wish to track down sources or explore further will need to consult the original edition for references. With these caveats, this book is still the best source to introduce the reader to the facts and significance of the American Civil War.

Rating:
Summary: McPherson's Illustrated Battle Cry of Freedom
Review: Professor James McPherson's "Battle Cry of Freedom" initially appeared in 1988 and received the Pulitzer Prize, together with great popular and critical acclaim, for its detailed single-volume study of the Civil War. Recently, in "The Illustrated Battle Cry of Freedom" (2003), Professor McPherson has reformatted and edited his outstanding 1988 study. The major change to the book is the addition of many illustrations, which include photographs, portraits, paintings, cartoons, drawings, and maps from the Civil War era. To make room for the illustrations, about 20 percent of the original text has been cut, and there are no footnotes and bibliography.

This illustrated version is, probably, the best single-volume introduction to the Civil War. (Some of the works by
Bruce Catton come close.) The illustrations add an irreplaceable element to the story and enable the reader to see and to get the feel of the Civil War, its era, and its major protagonists in a way the printed word cannot capture. The photographs and the contemporary artwork, including drawings and paintings by the soldiers, are difficult to find in one place. I found they added a great deal to my understanding.

Apart from the illustrations, this book remains a magisterial overview of the Civil War. The book weaves together descriptions of the military campaigns of the War with discussions of the sources of the conflict. It discusses in depth the differences between the North and the South in their conceptions of freedom and in their understanding of our country. McPherson covers the domestic fronts of the War, including both economic and social issues, in both North and South and also explains the efforts of both sides in the sphere of international relations. The book focuses on the change of the Civil War from a conflict to restore the Union to a total war to create a unified Nation. The climactic point of the story is President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation which made the abolitition of slavery an irreducible element of the Union war effort.

McPherson describes eloquently how the Civil War effected a radical change in our country from a loose union of states to a united Nation. He discusses the changing concept of human freedom and liberty which emerged from the War and which remains evolving in our country to this day. The valor of the soldiers and civilians on both sides of the conflict is presented from the inside and with respect and reverence. McPherson shows the reader how and why the Civil War was the turning point in our Nation's history and encourages the reader to reflect and to explore further.

This book is large,heavy and bulky, making it unsuitable to carry around for reading on the bus, train, or in the park. The loss of portions of the text is a pity, but it is more than compensated by the illustrations. Readers who wish to track down sources or explore further will need to consult the original edition for references. With these caveats, this book is still the best source to introduce the reader to the facts and significance of the American Civil War.

Rating:
Summary: An excellent single volume history of the American Civil War
Review: This is an excellent single volume history of the American Civil War. Originally published in 1988, this updated version of the Pulitzer Prize winning history now includes haunting photographs, maps, paintings, and newspaper cartoons. This is much more than a history of the war. It covers the people, economics, political atmosphere, and events that led America into disaster. All of the major land battles and campaigns are covered as well as naval action at sea and on America's rivers. Reading this book gives one a taste of the anger, hate, frustration, and political intensity of the time. Both Northern and Southern armies suffered horrific casualties from the battles, disease, and the crude medical technology available, making the Civil War the bloodiest war in American history. If you are going to read a single volume history of the Civil War, this is the best one in my opinion written to date. It should be required reading for students of American History.