The Civil War for Dummies

By Keith D. Dickson

Book Overview

The Civil War was America's trial by fire; its battles forged the nation we know today. We're still fascinated with it - the national reckoning with slavery, the legendary generals and leaders, the epic and bloody clashes of armies, the impact on the daily lives of ordinary people. We visit its battlefields - mostly idyllic patches of countryside near small towns and creeks - where more Americans died in combat than in all other wars combined, except for World War Two. And we tell its stories - of last charges, brother fighting brother, imprisonment and emancipation, and tragedy and rebirth. It is our country's epic; the story of how we became who we are, and what price we paid. The Civil War For Dummies is your complete introduction to this seminal conflict. Eschewing tedious historical pondering and military micro-analysis, this fun and information-rich guide gives an accurate overview of the event, from the war's causes through the fighting to the aftermath. Inside you'll discover: 1850-1860: what led to war First Bull Run: illusions lost Antietam: the bloodiest day The Emancipation Proclamation Heroes and goats of each major battle Jackson's Valley Campaign Sherman's March to the Sea Surrender at Appomattox And much more Full of sidebars and illustrations, The Civil War For Dummies brings history to life with personalities, factoids, battle reports, strategic maps, and "what ifs." In addition to the military and political history, you'll also find out about: The African American experience in the war Women and the Civil War Native Americans and the war The life of the common soldier Banking and finance systems and the war "Firsts" that make the Civil War history's first modern war Civil War food Civil War tourism: the best battlefields to visit, and how to get the most out of your trip Written in an accessible style so you can start reading at any point in the story, The Civil War For Dummies makes a great cornerstone for learning about this violent and compelling chapter of American history.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0764552449
• ISBN13: 9780764552441
• Release Date: March 2001
• Publisher: For Dummies
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 1.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 7.3" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

An excellent guide on the Civil War; great on strategies

I was trying to decide between the Idiot's Guide to the Civil War and this one; I'm glad I chose this one because Dr. Dickson displays a keen expertise on military strategy and history. He clearly presents the historical background to the causes of the Civil War, the military strategies used by both sides (Union and Confederate), the heroes and the "goats" of the conflicts, and the consequences of the battles. Interspersed throughout the informative text are helpful maps and diagrams of the battles, and nice summary reports of each battle and the statistics of the opposing armies. For example, for the famous battle of Gettysburg, Dr. Dickson gives a day by day analysis of the fighting, gives a battle captain's synopsis report, tells the significance of the battle, and then describes who the heroes and goats of the battle were. The last chapters contain helpful information on touring Civil War sites, a synopsis of the worst generals, and a series of "10 biggest" statistics (e.g. the 10 biggest "firsts" in the War, the 10 biggest "What Ifs", the 10 best battlefields, etc.) Dr. Dickson crams in a lot of information in 368 pages of text, but it is packed full of great, detailed, and easy to understand information. As a history buff, I highly recommend this book as a great introduction and ready reference to the Civil War! I plan to purchase Dr. Dickson's guide to WWII (also in the "Dummies" series). If you read through this book, you will no longer be a "dummy" as far as the Civil War is concerned, guaranteed. I was very pleased with this reference guide.

An Excellent Source of Information

The Dummie books are getting better as time goes on. The civil war book for dummies, is very educational and informative. You do not have to go through a lot of bull in order to read wonderful history. This should be a textbook in school.I love to read history, but I hate reading thick books that have a lot of worthless reading in the middle and it takes you forever to get to the main parts of history. The dummies books are not that way.Buy the US History, WW II, and the US Presidents, Lewis & Clark for dummies.

The Civil War for Dummies

What began as a way to find out a little more about the Civil War has turned into a full blown passion. And what book do I thank for that? Well actually there are two. While reading Carl Sandburg's three volume bio on Abraham Lincoln, I realized I need to know a little more about the Civil War. So I borrowed a copy of "The Civil War for Dummies" and was hooked.Because I read this book, it stirred in me an intense interest and desire to know more about the CW. Now I belong to a CW Roundtable in my area and I'm studying on my own different aspects of the CW. It is a wonderfully easy book to read and get the very basics of the Civil War. From there one can move on to some of the classics. I highly recommend this book for a beginning view of the CW or as quick reference guide.

Excellent!!!!

If you don't care anything about the Civil War, History, Strategy, Politics, Economics, Nationalism, or Sociology you will STILL love this book! This is just a great story about people and issues that could have been taken fom todays headlines. It also explains how many of the institutions that still affect us today (Income Taxes, The Two Party System, Modern Military Tactics, Centralization of Government Aerial reconnaissance, the Navy, Torpedoes to name a few) came about and why. It talks about such thing as Blacks who fought as Unions and Confederates as well as the Secession of an Indian territories as well. Also read U.S. History for Dummies and World History for Dummies both of which were Awesome!!! By the way did I mention that I hate to read?

Great Book, Terrific Writing Style - A Must Buy for Everyone

Dr. Keith Dickson has provided us with a well written, easy to read book on the Civil War which is a must read for everyone - to include history addicts such as myself. This inspiring book is an exceptional tribute to our soldiers and leaders and the sacarifices they made for our nation. Keith Dickson has written an inspiring, sad, educational, and fitting tribute of ordinary people placed in extordinary situations. His insightful writing weaves the inspirational story of the Civil War into easily understood sections, which permits the reader to start and stop at easily defined areas.This book captures the essence of the battles, the thinking of the leadership, the mood of north and south, and the deep division which occurred. The histories themselves are brutally honest and moving. There are no false notes; the book is as much a testimony to the dignity and heroism of its subjects as it is to the horror of war. This is not your typical "dummies book" but a strongly felt and well-written entry among a spate of books on the Civil War. I highly recommend this book for everyone and promise you will not be disappointed.