Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era (Oxford History of the United States)

Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era (Oxford History of the United States) | James M. McPherson | The war was all about feudal vs nation-state power

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Battle Cry of Free...

	Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era (Oxford History of the United States) James M. McPherson Oxford University Press, USA, 2003 - 952 pages average customer review:based on 180 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Dramatic sweep of American History: who we are and why

Here is a magnificent example of history written to both inform and entertain. The author weaves a tapestry of political, military, diplomatic, social, medical, and industrial threads to give a superb view of what happened and why. By blending facts from many different perspectives, the reader can see more clearly the complex problems facing both sides, rather than the simple "drum and bugle" history that is often emphasized in popular literature. Here is the story of WHY each side acted, HOW errors in planning and execution were corrected[or not!] told in dramatic, graceful language that left me seeking more. The book is an intellectual feast!! Bravo.

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The war was all about feudal vs nation-state power

Feudal nations that carried over in that era would have completely sided with the South, realizing that equality of all citizens means the lessening of privilege for the wealthy agrarian section of society. All present day nation states would completely agree with the Lincoln doctrine so eloquently expressed in this book, that of "popular sovereignity".

I find this book to be very engaging and not tedious even though it is huge! I would highly recommend it and would urge folks to read the chapters before the war even came about. The compromise of 1850 is not that well known and is worth the read.

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Suberb account of the Civil War

James McPherson has produced an excellent one volume history of the American Civil war. I have read numerous Civil War non-fiction publications, and still greatly enjoyed "The Battle Cry of Freedom". I would recommend this book for the avid Civil War buff or the curious casual history reader. I was surprised at how much information was crammed into just over 800 pages.

Mcpherson has done a commendable job of researching the politics, economics and social conditions that led up to the war. He unabashedly deals with slavery and it's role in the conflict. Historical revisionists will probaly not like this book as it does not attempt to down play slavery as the principle political and social cause of the war between the states, nor does it recast President Lincoln as a tyrant. The author deals with these issues in a very fair manner, which will displease many of the historically illerate.

If you are looking for detailed battle accounts than this book also may be a bit dry and slow paced for you. The author gives more a high level view of the war and its various facets.

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Riveting, Enlightening, and Emotionally Moving

If you're an "armchair historian" looking for an introduction to the civil war, an expansion on your existing knowledge, or just a great read, James McPherson's "Battle Cry Of Freedom" is one of the most worthwhile contemporary American books that one can invest in.

Unlike many historical texts and books which focus on one battle, one personality or one aspect of a certain event, assuming the reader already knows about such history (there seems no end to Gettysburg-themed books...), Battle Cry satisfyingly covers the ENTIRE story, for those of us out there who like to understand a historical era or event from quiet beginning to explosive end.

Mr. McPherson has a solid handle on drama; he uses the breathtakingly true events of the Civil War era to his great literary advantage: the reader will be spellbound by the churning tides of war and compelled to read on further, of course, just to see what happens next. It's hard to believe such tragic and culturally cataclysmic events took place in our history -- and even harder to believe that this same series of events ultimately served to prove the mettle and illuminate the spirit of this great nation. James McPherson will make you believe it in this emotionally stirring narrative document of the American Civil War.

You will be all the better for reading it.

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Great for reference, terrible for a read

Have you ever watched a movie or read a book that was both critically acclaimed by professional critics and the public at large and were left saying "what did I miss". Well this is the feeling that I got with this book. I bought the book several years ago and I only got half way through it, since then it has sat on my shelf, ocassionaly used for reference. Late last month I picked it up again thinking that perhaps now that I'm older (hopefully wiser) I would appreciate it. Once again I was left with the same old feeling.. what did I miss.

Yes the book is long (close to 800 pages) but I normally work through books at least this long. What I don't like about the book is that the author takes a very long time to make a point. I feel that his prose sometimes comes off a little long winded.
He goes on for pages to describe several events in the Antebellum South when a few paragraphs would have been better.

Anyway, I was left wondering "what did I miss" and once again the book is going back on my shelf. Although this time,I'm afraid I'll only be using the index when I want a quick answer to a question I have.

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