Everyday Life During the Civil War

by Michael J. Varhola

Book Overview

From soldiers and statesmen to farmers and firing lines, Everyday Life During the Civil War offers an exploration of this era. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0898799228
• ISBN13: 9780898799224
• Release Date: October 1999
• Publisher: Writer's Digest Books
• Length: 274 Pages
• Weight: 1.01 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Very enjoyable to read.

This book is organized in such away that you could skip around and pick out just the information that you wanted, but I really enjoyed reading it from cover to cover. It gave me a deeper understanding of what life was like during the Civil War. Now I'll enjoy books and movies about that era even more because I'll be able to put them in a richer context. Writers and reenactors will particularly enjoy this book, but it will appeal to anyone who likes history.

All the pluses and minuses of the series

As is the case in all the "Writer's Guide to Everyday Life" books, it is of course impossible for author Varhola to cover in full depth in so brief a book the vast and complex canvas that was the American Civil War. That much said, he does a very good job with the space he has. His price lists, descriptions of money, and period terms are especially well done and useful, and I found his descriptions of city life fascinating. As is usual, he does slip up once or twice (canned goods, for example, were developed in Napoleonic France and first commercially manufactured in the USA in the 1820's, though it's true that the industry didn't really take off till the War created a huge demand for portable food with a long shelf life), but that's probably inevitable. He also provides a lengthy bibliography which (with the Recommendations on this page) should give interested readers plenty of detailed background on the aspects that most intrigue them. This is definitely a book that should be read by all CW social-history buffs.

The Civil War at Your Fingertips

Varhola's book is chock full of fascinating details that are invaluable for any author, reinactor or gamemaster seeking to flesh out the details of life during the Civil War. The entire project seems well-researched, and it is evident that Varhola is an eager student of history.

Everyday Life During the Civil War in the classroom

For educators looking for a core source book to use in conjunction with an integrated Civil War era unit, Everyday Life During the Civil War is a must.Each chapter deals with a particular aspect of the Civil War time period, which could easily be assigned to a group to explore, create a display, and present to the class.Such topic areas include the people of the North and South; currency, clothing, dry goods; life in cities and rural areas; food and diets; fun and games; the different armed services; technology; and arms, equipment and uniforms. Some areas could be subdivided, and in many cases, comparisons could be made between civilian and military conditions. Also, included in each chapter are important terms and definitions, drawings, and sometimes the cost of items.Language Arts teachers will find the chapter on slang and idiom particularly useful. Not only are interesting and unique words and phrases presented, but how the language of the North and the South differed. The influence that immigrant groups had on our usage and vocabulary is also explored. The book concludes with a Civil War time-line, recommended books and internet sites, as well as a short section of Civil War songs and poems. As noted in the Introduction, "Everyday Life During the Civil War is intended to be a broad-based introduction to the day-to-day conditions, attitudes, and events of the period. For some, this book may be the only tool they need to research the Civil War, or one of just a few." I couldn't agree more. David B. McCoy, middle school history

The best quick reference of its type that I have read

Not just a great guide for writers, this book provides an excellent digest of information about the Civil War to include military and civilian life. It accurately and simply portrays the culture and technology of that period. Of special interest are the sections on slang and idiom and entertainment. The book also provides useful information on resources to include interesting web sites and historic sites.