The Civil War (American Heritage Books)

I noticed that the reviews of Bruce Catton's book are actually reviews of Ken Burns PBS Civil War book. Would like to see reviews of the latter book.

In my opinion, still the best one volume book on the American Civil War. I use it as the primary text in a semester high school class. I find the writing clear and concise, yet with a high degree of moving readability. Something that is a good read for those wanting an overview of this crossroads event in our nation's history.

For Civil War buffs like my father, this came in very handy on his morning and evening commutes. Literally could not stop playing it and currently is listening to it again. It is one of those historical narratives that you could listen to a number of times and hear something new each time.

I'm not going to write a lengthy essay of praise; others have done that quite adequately. I'm simply going to say that this book is one of the very finest non-fictions I've ever read. By the time I finished it (about 2 hours ago) I was in tears, & I've been melancholy ever since. If you have never read it, do so. There's no higher praise I can offer.

This is a book for the person who wants the essence of the Civil War told by an engaging writer.Bruce Catton is one of the best Civil War writers of the last fifty years. His detailed studies of aspects and campaigns of the war set the standard for CW writing for many who take more than a casual interest in the subject. This book displays his easy writing that mixes interesting facts with a style that never bores or bogs down in academic prose.For the student or curious who want the broad sweep of the war explained in a couple of hundred pages this book is excellent. Its all here: the orignis, major campaigns in the East and West and the politics that often defined the conflict. Strictly an overview, it is not for the serious CW reader, but would serve as an excellent starting point for someone looking to begin an affiliation with America's most significant conflict.