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Gods and Generals

Discussion in 'History Forum' started by ChurchBoy, Oct 31, 2003.

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  1. ChurchBoy

    ChurchBoy New Member

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    I just watched this wonderful movie. I didn't realize that "Stonewall" Jackson was such a devout believer. Can anyone recommend some good Civil War books to read? Does anyone know when the third installment, Full Measure will be released? I found it ironic that Ted Turner was involved in this movie, since he is such a God hater....
     
    #1 ChurchBoy, Oct 31, 2003
  2. KenH

    KenH Well-Known Member

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    Shelby Foote's trilogy - The Civil War: A Narrative: Fort Sumter to Perryville, Fredericksburg to Meridian, Red River to Appomattox.
     
    #2 KenH, Oct 31, 2003
  3. Clay Knick

    Clay Knick New Member

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    The Last Full Measure is in print in
    paperback. I'm reading it now. The Killer Angels is one of the best books about
    anything that I have ever read.

    There are so many books about the CW. I
    hardly know where to start. I've enjoyed
    so many. Bud Robertson's book on Jackson
    is great. I enjoyed Battle Cry of Freedom and All for the Union and
    Co. Aytch . The latter two are
    reflections on the war by two who fought in
    it.

    So many books so little time. [​IMG]

    Clay
     
    #3 Clay Knick, Oct 31, 2003
  4. Dan Stiles

    Dan Stiles New Member

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    There are many good ones, but I'll second Killer Angels. It focuses on the personalities involved at Gettysburg and was required reading for the Army's Command and General Staff Officers' Course at Fort Leavenworth.
     
    #4 Dan Stiles, Oct 31, 2003
  5. rsr

    rsr <b> 7,000 posts club</b>
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    Foote is wonderful. His novel on Shiloh is a classic, presenting a single battle through different voices on each side. (And it's a quick read too.)

    Anything by James McPherson, especially Battle Cry of Freedom and Drawn with the Sword: Reflections on the American Civil War. I haven't had a chance to read his newest book on Antietam yet.

    I haven't read Lee's Lieutenants by Douglas Southall Freeman, but it is highly recommended, though dated.

    With My Face to the Enemy: Perspectives on the Civil War is a very good collection of essays, of which my favorite is one on the long-neglected George Thomas.

    Bruce Catton's trilogy was the first major work I read and is considered a standard.

    Allan Nevins was among the first of the major "popularizing" historians; though his multi-volume history is a tad dated, it's a treasure trove of information, ranging from economic statistics to an examination of the bewildering array of firearms used by each side. A good reference set, and now available at a good price in paperback.

    Two novels I have enjoyed: Lincoln by Gore Vidal (ignore the reference to venereal disease) and Freedom by William Safire, which covers the period up to the Emancipation Proclamation and details Lincoln's unconstitutional (or supraconstitutional) actions and offers a slightly different analysis of McClellan.

    The memoirs of Grant and Sherman also are valuable but need to be evaluated in conjunction with other sources. Grant's writing is straightforward; Sherman's book is fascinating because of what he doesn't say. Sherman never saw any looting during his March to the Sea, and you have to know there was a coup bubbling to understand why he was so eager to leave Washington and set up the headquarters of the U.S. Army in St. Louis.

    I'm sure there are more that I could mention. I've just forgotten them.
     
    #5 rsr, Oct 31, 2003
  6. Johnv

    Johnv New Member

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    "Last Full Measure" will not likely get a green light for yeats, considering that "Gods and Generals" did not do well at the box office. Unlike "Gettysburg", Turner Pictures lost a good amount of money on the film. So far, it's only brought in about half of what it cost. Until the film breaks even, "Last Full Measure" is not likely to see the light of day.

    While he's clearly not a religious man, and is rather cynical about organized religion, he has great respect for people of faith. Additionally, Stonewall Jackson is a personal hero of is, and Turner is also a native of the region depicted in teh film. Turner also knows that a good film is not solely measured by its box office draw. While we may not see "Last Full Measure" any time soon, it will someday be made.
     
    #6 Johnv, Oct 31, 2003
  7. fromtheright

    fromtheright <img src =/2844.JPG>

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    Any thoughts on William Davis's Look Away? I just bought it for my best friend who is a CW buff.
     
    #7 fromtheright, Oct 31, 2003
  8. rsr

    rsr <b> 7,000 posts club</b>
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    Can't respond about this specific book, but Davis is one of the folks left off my list by mistake. I have read An Honorable Defeat: The Last Days of the Confederate Government and am waiting for a co-worker to hand over Davis' book on Breckenridge. A fine writer.
     
    #8 rsr, Nov 1, 2003
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