Is Shelby Foote's,The Civil War: A Narrative the best primer for this game?

[Destraex]

I have two books in a set on civil war uniforms

http://www.histoireetcollections.com/445-large_default/american-civil-war-vol1-gb.jpg
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51BiDydAg4L._AC_UL320_SR262,320_.jpg

I have a Vital Guide called "Battles of the American Civil War". This book only details in summary what the author considered major battles.

I own Gods & Generals and Gettysburg on blu ray.

I have just picked back up Bernard Cornwell's "Battle Flag" and ordered the last book "the bloody ground".

But as you can see I am missing a really authorative history of the civil war that really lends itself to me knowing what I am talking about. Is Shelby Foote's The Civil War: A Narrative set of three books what I am looking for?
It is very old. Before I was born in fact. 1958 is when the first one was published. 100 years or so after the event.

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/KhwAAOSwbtVZS-4H/s-l225.jpg

[A. P. Hill]

I recommend ... This one. (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/681647.The_American_Heritage_Picture_History_of_th e_Civil_War) One volume 670 some odd over sized pages, lots of graphics, and a narrative from years before the war started up to and through post civil war America.

[thomas aagaard]

Foote's books are a great narrative. But they are simply not history books. No sources and no footnotes.
And he do make claims that can't be backed up and some that are factually wrong. (like the claim that Bufords men had repeaters at Gettysburg)

But if you just want to read one book/ a series then they are fine.



I fully agree that Canton is a good option. I don't own the specific one, but have read some of his work.

[Destraex]

Thanks guys. If Foote's book is a good read for a noob and is 99% correct (like most books) then I am ok with it.

[William F. Randolph]

Yes, I have my own set. Great-Grandparents went to school with this man, was a good friend of the family :)

[TrustyJam]

Yes, I have my own set. Great-Grandparents went to school with this man, was a good friend of the family :)

That is cool! I love listening to the civil war interviews of him (even though he wasn't a historian).

I have the complete 40th anniversary edition of his books. Lots of great images in them and more manageable than the three original volumes.

http://images.igavelauctions.com/x/161/Th44591/SDSC03300.JPG

- Trusty

[Sox]

Basically, anything by Bruce Catton or, on the novel side, Killer Angels (it's the novel that the movie Gettysburg was made from).

[A. P. Hill]

I made my previous recommendation given that the O.P. asked for an overview reading of the war.

However, if he wishes to get into the nitty gritty of command of the two more popular armies, The Army of Northern Virigina's history is best put to writing by Douglas Southall Freeman in his three volume work entitled Lee's Lieutenants. (https://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=douglas+southall+freeman+lee%27s+lieutena nts&tag=mh0b-20&index=stripbooks&hvadid=7000313700&hvqmt=b&hvbmt=bb&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_1zjjpg2qlg_b)

A recently released book, Lincoln's Lieutenants (https://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=lincoln%27s+lieutenants&tag=mh0b-20&index=stripbooks&hvadid=78202774047203&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_1ibega1nc6_e), by Stephen W. Sears, equally covers the Army of the Potomac's command structure.

[Oleander]

If you want a good first hand account, you can't go wrong with "Hardtack and Coffee" or "Company Aytch."

[A. P. Hill]

Photographic History of The Civil War, 10 volumes.

Volume 1 (https://archive.org/details/photographichist01inmill)

Volume 2 (https://archive.org/details/photographichist02inmill)

Volume 3 (https://archive.org/details/photographichist03inmill)

Volume 4 (https://archive.org/details/photographichist04inmill)

Volume 5 (https://archive.org/details/photographichist05inmill)

Volume 6 (https://archive.org/details/photographichist06inmill)

Volume 7 (https://archive.org/details/photographichist07inmill)

Volume 8 (https://archive.org/details/photographichist08inmill)

Volume 9 (https://archive.org/details/photographichist09inmill)

Volume 10 (https://archive.org/details/photographichist10inmill)

Enjoy.

7910

[Slyk_MinionWorkz]

For this particular game, set at Antietam, I can recommend a couple great references. Foremost: "The Maps of Antietam" by Bradley M. Gottfried. Excellent breakdown of the main battles as well as Harper's Ferry and South Mountain. Very well done as he breaks things down into smaller parts of the field, using the Ezra A. Carman topographical/survey maps. These also included detailed Orders of Battle and other data. Outstanding book. He also has books on several other battles, which I also own. I highly recommend them.

The other is the "The Gettysburg Companion", while about Gettysburg, offers great detail on unit formation, weapons, deployments, etc. It's both a good common reference as well as a look at the Gettysburg battle in part and whole.

[Mitchy]

Shelbys footes civil war trilogy is a fantastic read, I fist bought it in paperback years ago but now have it on Audible and listen to it while I work, a great way to pass time!

[LaBelle]

Also be sure to watch Ken Burn's: The Civil War. Shelby Foote was a speaker, and was a great watch to get you in the mood.

[Cairnsy44]

For a Union perspective, you cannot beat Bruce Catton's trilogy. Mr. Lincoln's Army, Glory Road, and A Stillness at Appomattox. Hardtack and Coffee is excellent as well.

[Jason99vmi]

For a Union perspective, you cannot beat Bruce Catton's trilogy. Mr. Lincoln's Army, Glory Road, and A Stillness at Appomattox. Hardtack and Coffee is excellent as well.

Second this. Full of actual quotes from officers and soldiers.

[Leifr]

Shelbys footes civil war trilogy is a fantastic read, I fist bought it in paperback years ago but now have it on Audible and listen to it while I work, a great way to pass time!

Heck! I was not aware that there was an audiobook version. Does Mr Foote read it?