This Mighty Scourge: Perspectives on the Civil War

I get lost in some history books but this was so well written and moved along so quickly that it was a total pleasure to read. I enjoyed his discussion of each controversy, and gained insight into this awful war. I especially enjoyed the chapter on why the war was fought, and the chapter on the campaign by Sons of Confederate Veterans to re-write history. The Confederates fought bravely--no one can take that away from them--but isn't that enough to be honored forever? Why not accept "our cause was wrong, but we still have much to be proud of". That's how I think of my own beloved Confederate ancestors. True pride and honor can't be built on revisionist history. It's better if we realize our humaness and that every person and civilization is in error about something. He takes on the glorification of Jesse James too...Excellent.

Dr. McPherson is the best Civil War historian we have in America, and his latest book This Mighty Scourge only solidifies his place as the best. The book is a series of essays and reflections on the Civil War, focusing on things like the Lost Cause Myth to Newspapers during the Civil War. McPherson's strength is his ability to write in a very simple and clear way. Anyone who is interested in the Civil War Era should pick this book up. It is a quick read that will enlighten even the most serious student of American History.

I though this book was very well written and interesting. Having been raised and educated in the South I found the group of essays titled "The lost Cause Revisted" to be very interesting and illuminating. All of the old Confederate explanations and excuses for the war are examined and pretty much exposed for what they are; dumb reasons for ever thinking they could win a war against the North and misguided judgement of world view of slavery. A very good book. I recommend it.

McPherson is a highly respected authority on the Civil War. This book seems to me almost his signature wrap up on his distinguished career. It is a book of wisdom, as opposed to just intelligence. Many of the essays are old and appeared in various periodicals. That doesn't lose any of his continuity and coheremce of presentation. What I most like about the book is his generosity of spirit. He gets inside so many of his subjects, especially Grant and Sherman. He brings the War down from abstract policy to the dilemmas of action and everyday engangement. I don't think I learnt anything new but I got new slants on some many issues. It's worth reading the book for just the one superb chapter about the Brahmins -- aristocrats from New England, the Harvard brigade and the other Northen elites, who not only served in the War but served magnificently and courageously because they were part of a spirit of noblesse oblige. Guts, honor, bravery....... No comment on the Dick Cheney draft deferments and Jim Webb's honor, but........ A fine book. Truly fine.

This slim volume of essays packs a real punch. Each is a small gem---well written, thoughtful and civil(even when debunking competing views), and honest(he looks back and revises some views based on recent scholarship). Some of the topics: Grant was great because he had "common sense" a la Harry Truman; the war for the South was about keeping slavery not the later, more palatable view of "we fought for states rights"; many men died, often in attacks that all knew would end in death because the notions of honor and duty were powerful and very real motivations. A welcome addition to an already impressive body of work.