Voices of the Civil War

by Richard Wheeler

Book Overview

Author Richard Wheeler has compiled an eyewitness account by the man and women who observed the struggle first-hand, from the opening shots at Fort Sumter to Lee's aurrender at Appomattox. Illustrated.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0690010907
• ISBN13: 9780690010909
• Release Date: January 1976
• Publisher: Crowell
• Length: 492 Pages
• Weight: 2.05 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Amazing Read

I purchased this recently and just breezed through it. I'm amazing at how great a book this is. It consists of commentary and on-the-spot stories of the important battles of the Civil War culled from letters and diaries of participants, from the Commanding Officers to Privates as well as civilians. I learned much about the people and practices of that era I didn't know. This book kept me riveted throughout. It's like a time machine in print!

"Voices" a very worthwhile read

Being somewhat of a Civil War "buff", I have read numerous books on the subject over the years - some good, some not-so-good, and a few that stood out. R. Wheelers book "Voices ..." I place in the latter category. It is a relatively short book which describes major engagements of the war, each engagement constituting one chapter, with the chapters (battles)arranged in the order in which they occurred. Each chapter begins with a short one- to two- page introduction by the author which "sets the scene": how was it that the armies came to be facing one another at this particular place? What was trying to be achieved by each side? Who was in command? What were the relative combat strengths of the two armies? After this groundwork is established, the author lets the battle begin and progress by a narrative composed of first-person accounts of the participants, from commanding generals right on down to the lowliest private on the field. Once the battle is concluded, a short synopsis by the author at the chapters end describes the results of the engagement to each side in terms of both casualties and overall strategy. For me, the result of this approach was that I came away with a much clearer understanding of the circumstances,the "feel", and the effects of the major Civil War engagements than I have been able to glean from other works many times its length. I highly recommend this book!

Another great masterpiece by Wheeler!

I bought Richard Wheeler's Voices of 1776 and really enjoyed it. This book is just as well written. I appreciate Wheeler's use of first-hand narratives and accounts. The book covers the first fire on Fort Sumpter to the end of the war. Wheeler has added maps throughout the book. Like I said, I am willing to tri any book that has a good, solid, foundation built on historical accounts. One of my favorite books is Henry S. Commager's Spirit of Seventy-Six. This is also a must read for anyone who loves history.