Picking up charles beards concept of the civil war as a second american revolution, mcpherson examines how the conflict left a legacy of black educational and social institutions, a tradition of civil rights activism, and constitutional amendments that provide the legal framework for the second reconstruction of the 1960s. The american heritage new history of the civil war catton, bruce, mcpherson, james m. Gettysburg morning fight for mcpherson ridge july 1. Mcpherson, including battle cry of freedom, and for cause and comrades. Authors who bring the civil war battles and civil war timeline to life. Environmental education resources to commemorate earth days 50th anniversary. Mcpherson about the course of the civil war, its importance and why it still matters, the subject of his forthcoming book, the war that forged a nation march 2015. James mcpherson civil war james mcpherson army of the. An interview with historian james mcpherson civil war trust.
American civil war historiography and publishing blogged daily by dimitri rotov. He is related to the civil war because he contributed a great deal to the union wins. Images of the civil war by james m mcpherson, mort kunstler. James birdseye mcpherson november 14, 1828 july 22, 1864 was a career united states army officer who served as a general in the union army during the american civil war. Jim mcpherson born october 11, 1936 is an american civil war historian, and is the george henry davis 86 professor emeritus of united states history at princeton university. The civil war era oxford history of the united states book 6 kindle edition by mcpherson, james m download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The south was doomed from the start carroll county. James mcpherson, what they fought for 1994 civil war. Given command of the army of the tennesse in 1864, james mcpherson led it until his death at the battle of atlanta on july 22, 1864. Mcpherson deftly narrates the experience of blacksformer slaves and soldiers, preachers.
Discover librarianselected research resources on u. The single most important volume for anyone interested in the civil war to own and consult. Civil war books here are some of the finest civil war books by a few of the confirmed best writers of civil war books available today. There is nothing in all the dark caves of human passion so cruel and deadly as the hatred the south carolinians profess for the yankees. James mcpherson discusses why the civil war began, the role of racism and slavery in the civil war, how foreign perspectives shaped the souths declaration of states rights, lincolns strategy to. Yes, as mcpherson notes, the civil war still matters to a people seeking answers to their own world even 150 years later when many of the same points are being brought up again. Grant is reported to have said, the country has lost one of its best soldiers, and i have lost my best friend. The civil war era oxford history of the united states book 6. Encyclopedia of civil war biographies, edited by james m. In 2002, he published both a scholarly book, crossroads of freedom. Major general james mcpherson was a union commander during the civil war.
Alyssa denney the war for secession the appomattox courthouse is the place where general lee, of the confederate army, and lieutenant grant, of the union army, met to discuss the surrender that would end the civil war on april 9, 1865. Mcpherson born october 11, 1936 is an american civil war historian, and is the george henry davis 86 professor emeritus of united states history at princeton university. While the general reader or civil war buff might enjoy mcphersons popular battle cry of freedom, this book in a first rate textbook on the civil war. In this classic study, pulitzer prizewinning author james m. Mcpherson born october 11, 1936 is an american civil war historian, and is the george henry davis86 professor emeritus of united states history at princeton university. He was killed at the battle of atlanta, facing the army of his old west point classmate john. The mcpherson middle school and mcpherson cemetery are named for him as well. To find the wellsprings of civil war valor, james mcpherson has read 249 diaries and at least 25,000 letters of 1,076 civil war soldiers. A photograph serves as the frontispiece for james m. Why men fought in the civil war, received the lincoln prize. No period of american history makes greater demands on the historian than that of the civil war, c. James mcpherson s fastpaced narrative fully integrates the political, social, and military events that crowded the two decades from the outbreak of one war in mexico to the ending of another at. Mcphersons works mostly focus on the american civil war and reconstruction, including battle cry of. Gettysburg map gettysburg battlefield confederate monuments america civil war civil war photos historical maps mystery of history military history american history in the muggy heat of july, 1863, two armies met in the small town of gettysburg, pa in a battle.
The best historians and books according to james mcpherson. The following is a list of the published works of james m. He received the 1989 pulitzer prize for battle cry of freedom. The best concise book we have on the subject mcpherson is our most distinguished scholar of the civil war era. The civil war era by james mcpherson is widely considered to be the best one volume history of the american civil war era ever published. Rereading it again now has not led me to alter my opinion. His books include the struggle for equality, marching toward freedom. Dec 27, 2010 the top 12 civil war books ever written one great book for each month of 2011, the sesquicentennial of the war between the states. Why men fought in the civil war is a book by pulitzer prizewinning author james m. Grant and served as his chief engineer during the capture of fort henry and fort donelson, as well as during grants advance on corinth during the spring. How american blacks felt and acted during the war for what they fought for 18611865 walter lynwood fleming lectures in southern. James mcphersons fastpaced narrative fully integrates the political, social, and military events that crowded the two decades from the outbreak of one war in. James mcpherson titled the civil war is still being fought, civilly.
Magnificent fullcolor paintings and an authoritative text by a pulitzer prizewinning historian capture the key events. Nearly 30 years since its initial publication by oxford, this book is still being used at the university level to educate students about the civil war. Mcpherson s writing style is quick, clear, and easy to read. He was the president of the american historical association in 2003, and is a member of the editorial board of encyclop. They articulated their motives for fighting far above my poor power to add or detract vii. I thought id add some fun links to the names below. James mcpherson national endowment for the humanities neh. James mcpherson s favorite books and authors in a new york times interview, james mcpherson recently identified some of his favorite authors and books.
Ordeal by fire cements his reputation as one of the finest civil war historians. In his book the american civil war, john keegan writes that the american civil war was to prove. Mcpherson, union general of the american civil war about whose death general ulysses s. Mcpherson spends ample time exploring the causes of war. Oct 19, 2008 courtesy library of congress lincoln, mcclellan facing him and other union officers on the antietam battlefield. The union and confederate navies, 18611865 littlefield history of the civil war era by james m. After the outbreak of the civil war, mcpherson requested a transfer back to the east, briefly serving on the staff of general henry halleck. James mcpherson, why men fought in the civil war 1997 abstract james mcpherson, emeritus professor of history at princeton university, is widely recognized for his writing on the civil war. When i first read it twenty years ago i came to that same conclusion.
Many americans of his own time and in later generations considered him an incompetent leader, not to mention a traitor. Mcpherson the first guide to civil war literature to appear in nearly 30 years, this book provides the most comprehensive, uptodate, and informative survey and analysis of the vast body of civil war literature. Mcphersons battle cry is arguably the best singlevolume account of the civil war. James mcpherson, in what they fought for, explains the reason confederate and union soldiers prevailed throughout the bloodiest war ever fought in the united states. Hood j stonewall jackson the military leader of the union during the war.
All content included on our site, such as text, images, digital downloads and other, is the property of its content suppliers and protected by. From bloodstained battlefields to smokefilled antechambers of polit. Drawing on contemporary journalism, speeches, books, and letters, he presents an eclectic chronicle of their fears and hopes as well as their essential contributions. But before the american civil war yankee was used by the british to refer to the american colonists. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading battle cry of freedom. During the civil war, and even after the war came to an end, yankee was a term used by southerners to describe their rivals from the union, or northern, side of the conflict. The civil war era oxford history of the united states book 6 ebook. He truly brings to life that feeling of utter division that was the civil war and one wonders how the country ever healed and how it has become so united. James mcpherson, princeton universitys george henry davis 1886 professor of american history. Mcpherson and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at.
Mcpherson is the george henry davis 86 professor of history at princeton university. Mcpherson united states military officer britannica. For the civil war general of a similar name see james b. Oct 20, 2008 mcpherson, the author of the battle cry of freedom, is one of americas eminent civil war historians and tried by war offers a wealth of specificity about individual battles. Dec 10, 2008 in this classic study, pulitzer prizewinning author james m. Mcpherson elementary school in the ravenswood area of chicago, illinois, was named for mcpherson. Mcpherson was the president of the american historical association in 2003, and is a member of the editorial board of. The first days battle of gettysburg at mcphersons ridge, oak hill, oak ridge, seminary ridge, barlows knoll and in and around the town involved some 50,000 soldiers of which roughly 15,500 were killed, wounded, captured or missing. He received the 1989 pulitzer prize for battle cry of freedom, his most famous book. James mcpherson, what they fought for 1994 civil war era nc. He was the president of the american historical association in 2003. Abolitionists and the negro in the civil war and reconstruction. The american heritage new history of the civil war. During the war he issued the emancipation proclamation which freed all slaves in the south.
This is probably the best one volume book on the civil war out there. Reflections on the american civil war 9780195096798 by mcpherson, james m. Mcpherson is considered to be the dean of civil war historians. The civil war trusts own clayton butler recently had the opportunity to sit down with one the most distinguished scholars in the field of civil war history dr. Oct 05, 2014 whats the best book ever written about the civil war. Zuccess success was the final status of the union after the last battle of the civil war. The best, the worst, the largest, and the most lethal top ten rankings of the civil war. Gerteis notes that the federal civil war sites advisory commission placed 45 battles at the highest level of significance. Mcpherson, the author of the battle cry of freedom, is one of americas eminent civil war historians and tried by war offers a wealth of specificity about individual battles. It would be close to the truth, he writes, to say that civil war soldiers wrote for cause and comrades. A farm boy in overalls and straw hat holds up two handfuls of what appear to be pebbles.
Mcpherson is edwards professor of american history at princeton university. Mcpherson was on the generals staff of henry halleck and later, of ulysses s. Serving in the west with major general ulysses grant, james mcpherson rapidly rose through the ranks and commanded a corps during the vicksburg campaign. The american heritage new history of the civil war, narrated by bruce catton. Contrary to the notation the real american civil war will never get in the books. Historian james mcpherson writes concerning states rights and other nonslavery explanations. He has published numerous volumes on the civil war, including the pulitzer prizewinning battle cry of freedom, crossroads of freedom which was a new york times bestseller, abraham lincoln and the second american revolution, and for cause and comrades. This summer he has answered mcpherson with the civil war in missouri. Mcpherson december 19, 2010, interview on npr with dr. Mcpherson james mcpherson is george henry davis 86 professor of american history emeritus at princeton. Mcpherson highway us20 was dedicated and named in his honor on august 9, 1941. Buy images of the civil war by james m mcpherson, mort kunstler, mort kunstler inc online at alibris.
Civil war statistics essential civil war curriculum. The civil war era moved beyond the pillars of academia and into the public realm. Mcpherson and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at abebooks. Mcphersons tried by war is a perfect primer, not just for civil war buffs or fans of abraham lincoln, but for anyone who wishes to understand the evolution of the presidents role as commander in chief. He received the pulitzer prize for battle cry of freedom, his most famous book. His gerrysburg address help inspire the union to victory abolitionism as a principle was far. Americas leading historian of the civil war, he won the pulitzer prize for battle cry of freedom, which was a new york times bestseller, and he won the lincoln prize for for cause and comrades. Civil war causes from the questia online library, including fulltext online books. Fox, a historian, were 360,222 from the north and 258,000 from the south. A military history, a narrative of the clashes between conventional union and confederate armies in missouri. He read over 25,000 letters and hundreds of diaries to conclude that civil war soldiers did indeed know what they were fighting for. I won it in 1989 for battle cry of freedom which had appeared the previous year, and that, of course, is the monster book the 900page book which tries to synthesize the whole shooting match of the civil war and its background and causes. Tried by war by james mcpherson american civil war forums. The book was published by oxford university press in 1997 and covers the lives and ideals of american civil war soldiers from both sides of the war.
Antietam 1862, and a history of the american civil war for children, fields of fury. May 22, 2014 the civil war lasted for four years and left over 600,000 soldiers dead. Filled with fresh interpretations and information, puncturing old myths and challenging new ones, battle cry of freedom will unquestionably become the standard onevolume history of the civil war. Mcpherson deftly narrates the experience of blacksformer slaves and soldiers, preachers, visionaries, doctors, intellectuals, and common peopleduring the civil war. The volume begins with a deft description of the ragged american army trudging into mexico city in 1847. Mcpherson is the george henry davis 86 professor of history emeritus at princeton university. He is the author of several books about our civil war, including the pulitzer prize winner battle cry of freedom. After graduation from west point at the head of the class of 1849, mcpherson was. Historian james mcpherson writes concerning states rights and other non slavery explanations.
Here are six 6 writers that i have personally enjoyed. This military history of the civil war emphasizes geographys role in shaping. Mcpherson is the author of battle cry of freedom, a book which won the pulitzer prize for history and numerous other books on civil war topics. Most importantly, though, they abolished slavery from the united states of america. Military history recently spoke with pulitzer prize winner and civil war historian james m. In the interview, mcpherson stated who he believes are americas top historians. He is best known for his pulitzer prize winning book battle cry of freedom which is the best overview of the civil war. The best book is actually an eightvolume series published from 1947 to 1971, by allan nevins. Sometimes it is a negative description, sometimes it is playful.
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