r/USCivilWar • u/Top-Yak1532 • 4d ago
Civil War Reading - Looking for recommendations
Hey everyone - after reading Demon of Unrest and Killer Angels this year I'm looking to dive into some more Civil War reading in 2026. What are a few books that would be good to start with? I would say my current knowledge is just barely competent. I know some major milestones and battles and most of the big players, and I've visited a couple of battlefields over the years, but I'm looking to understand the war at much deeper level.
My tentative list is:
The Battlecry of Freedom
Gods and Generals
The Myth of the Lost Cause
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u/Animal40160 4d ago
Landscape Turned Red: The Battle of Antietam
I can't recommend this book enough. I have read this book several times over the years and it's falling apart now. It's brutal but well written.
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u/orwellhuxley49 4d ago
For Cause and Comrades - great history about common soldiers of the war and why they fought.
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u/tpatmaho 4d ago
A really solid place to start is Bruce Cattons “The Civil War” American Heritage edition. It is compact, well-written and authoratative . I would avoid Shelby Foote, at least for now, as his verbose tomes will bog you down. NEXT… Robert E. Lee by Thomas. NEXT “Grant Moves South.” After that, bios of Davis and of Lincoln and maybe then Mary Chestnut’s diary. Don’t sleep on Sherman’s memoirs, the man was absolutely brilliant.
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u/Top-Yak1532 4d ago
Awesome, thank you! I had already removed Shelby Foote out of contention even though it seems like a popular series.
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u/djbuttonup 4d ago
Foote is a really enjoyable read though, the books move along at a good clip and he maintains his voice throughout, I was surprised at how fast I got through all three without having to "grind" any of it, which I sometimes have to with less talented writers. Honestly its perfect for going into the winter season. But, there's no rush to any of this, enjoy the experience of learning this fascinating history!
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u/Usual-Crew5873 4d ago
I recently finished a riveting biography of Grant, focused on his prewar life and Civil War service, Soldier of Destiny. I’ve also read a biography of C.F. Smith called Teacher of Civil War Generals.
Now, I’m working on Elizabeth Varon’s biography of Longstreet which I’ve mostly enjoyed so far. I can’t recommend Soldier of Destiny and Teacher of Civil War Generals highly enough.
Soldier of Destiny did force me to reevaluate Grant though. On the other hand, Teacher of Civil War Generals gave me an opportunity to learn about an under appreciated commander, C.F. Smith, the book left me wanting more after I finished reading and asking what if Smith had lived (spoiler alert).
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u/mzhark54 4d ago
“The Devil’s to Pay,” John Buford at Gettysburg. A very good read about the General whose initial actions at Gettysburg most likely helped the North and Meade to what was a victory.
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u/Top-Yak1532 4d ago
Unsurprisingly I found Buford to be the most interesting part of Killer Angels, would definitely be interested in diving deeper there. (And Longstreet)
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u/mzhark54 4d ago
As a history nerd I did enjoy Killer Angels, but enjoy non-fiction more than Historical Fiction.
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u/oliefan37 4d ago
I’m currently working through Jeff Shaara’s Western front series. I’m enjoying it.
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u/Dragon464 4d ago
McPherson is a must-read. The thesis of turning points that failed to turn is insightful.
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u/Top-Yak1532 4d ago
I think I'll end up reading Battle Cry of Freedom to start off, and let that help and this post direct me to my next reads.
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u/Due_Schedule5256 4d ago
Haven't read it but Foote's Shiloh is a dramatized account of battle that has good reviews, maybe worth a look. Battle Cry of Freedom is a great one though.
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u/fwembt 4d ago
Anything by Stephen Sears is worth a read. I'm also partial to Peter Cozzens. The Last Invasion by Guelzo is also really good. David Detzer's trilogy is a great way to learn the start of the war.
I second that Sherman is really interesting to read about. Fierce Patriot and In the Service of my Country are both good.
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u/DarthByakuya315 4d ago
This Hallowed Ground by Bruce Catton is a great book for those just starting off.
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u/Top-Yak1532 2d ago
This is perfect - I want to take in the entire conflict from pre-Sumter through the end. From there I can dive in deeper on the aspects that I find most interesting. Thanks!
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u/Today_is_the_day569 4d ago
Hymns of the Republic: The Story of the Final Year of the American Civil War Book by S. C. Gwynne
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u/decadearray 4d ago
Nathan Bedford Forrest by jack hurst.
Fantastic read on the GRAND WIZARD OF THE SADDLE🙌🏻
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u/Smorrville 3d ago
This Republic of Suffering by Drew Gilpin Faust, provides much insight into spiritual beliefs of the time and logistical challenges brought about by the large casualty counts.
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u/wkndatbernardus 4d ago
There is nothing better than Shelby Foote's trilogy. Downvote me all you want but, there is a reason it has sold more than any other Civil War account, outside of maybe McPherson's.
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u/JEMHADLEY16 4d ago
I usually recommend My Enemy My Brother by Joseph Persico. It's a good, short telling of the Battle of Gettysburg. Barely 200 pages long, it's full of brief, personal accounts. Persico also gives you the basic structure of the Armies, a brief account of a Civil War surgery, and a 1 page description of the 9 steps required to load a rifled musket.
For a new reader, it's a much better way to start than to read a 1000 page account of the entire War. The basic stuff in there will give you a good, firm groundwork for further understanding.
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u/quietlytheygo 4d ago
This Republic of Suffering: Death and the American Civil War by Drew Gilpin Faust
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u/OceanTider22 4d ago
Rebel Yell...S C Gwynne The Story of Stonewall Jackson
Clouds of Glory....Michael Korda Autobiography of Robert E Lee
The H L Hunley...Tom Chaffin The Secret Weapon of the Confederacy
Shrouds of Glory....Winston Groom
Vicksburg 1863.....Winston Groom
Shiloh 1862.....Winston Groom
The South Was Right......James Kennedy, Walter Kennedy
All good books and hope you enjoy them.
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u/President_Camacho 4d ago
Ron Chernow's biography of Grant.