This Mighty Scourge: Perspectives on the Civil War
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Book Overview
The author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Battle Cry of Freedom and the New York Times bestsellers Crossroads of Freedom and Tried by War, among many other award-winning books, James M. McPherson is America's preeminent Civil War historian. In this collection of provocative and illuminating
essays, McPherson offers fresh insight into many of the enduring questions about one of the defining moments in our nation's history. McPherson sheds light on topics large and small, from the average soldier's avid love of newspapers to the postwar creation of the mystique of a Lost Cause in the South. Readers will find insightful pieces on such intriguing figures as Harriet Tubman, John Brown, Jesse James, and William Tecumseh
Sherman, and on such vital issues as Confederate military strategy, the failure of peace negotiations to end the war, and the realities and myths of the Confederacy. This Mighty Scourge includes several never-before-published essays--pieces on General Robert E. Lee's goals in the Gettysburg
campaign, on Lincoln and Grant in the Vicksburg campaign, and on Lincoln as Commander-in-Chief. All of the essays have been updated and revised to give the volume greater thematic coherence and continuity, so that it can be read in sequence as an interpretive history of the war and its meaning for
America and the world. Combining the finest scholarship with luminous prose, and packed with new information and fresh ideas, this book brings together the most recent thinking by the nation's leading authority on the Civil War.
essays, McPherson offers fresh insight into many of the enduring questions about one of the defining moments in our nation's history. McPherson sheds light on topics large and small, from the average soldier's avid love of newspapers to the postwar creation of the mystique of a Lost Cause in the South. Readers will find insightful pieces on such intriguing figures as Harriet Tubman, John Brown, Jesse James, and William Tecumseh
Sherman, and on such vital issues as Confederate military strategy, the failure of peace negotiations to end the war, and the realities and myths of the Confederacy. This Mighty Scourge includes several never-before-published essays--pieces on General Robert E. Lee's goals in the Gettysburg
campaign, on Lincoln and Grant in the Vicksburg campaign, and on Lincoln as Commander-in-Chief. All of the essays have been updated and revised to give the volume greater thematic coherence and continuity, so that it can be read in sequence as an interpretive history of the war and its meaning for
America and the world. Combining the finest scholarship with luminous prose, and packed with new information and fresh ideas, this book brings together the most recent thinking by the nation's leading authority on the Civil War.
Format:Hardcover
Language:English
ISBN:0195313666
ISBN13:9780195313666
Release Date:January 2007
Publisher:Oxford University Press, USA
Length:272 Pages
Weight:1.19 lbs.
Dimensions:1.0" x 6.4" x 9.4"
Customer Reviews
5 ratings
Easy, Compelling Read
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 17 years ago
I get lost in some history books but this was so well written and moved along so quickly that it was a total pleasure to read. I enjoyed his discussion of each controversy, and gained insight into this awful war. I especially enjoyed the chapter on why the war was fought, and the chapter on the campaign by Sons of Confederate Veterans to re-write history. The Confederates fought bravely--no one can take that away from them--but isn't that enough to be honored forever? Why not accept "our cause was wrong, but we still have much to be proud of". That's how I think of my own beloved Confederate ancestors. True pride and honor can't be built on revisionist history. It's better if we realize our humaness and that every person and civilization is in error about something. He takes on the glorification of Jesse James too...Excellent.
An American Master
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 17 years ago
Dr. McPherson is the best Civil War historian we have in America, and his latest book This Mighty Scourge only solidifies his place as the best. The book is a series of essays and reflections on the Civil War, focusing on things like the Lost Cause Myth to Newspapers during the Civil War. McPherson's strength is his ability to write in a very simple and clear way. Anyone who is interested in the Civil War Era should pick this book up. It is a quick read that will enlighten even the most serious student of American History.
A MIGHTY GOOD READ
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 17 years ago
I though this book was very well written and interesting. Having been raised and educated in the South I found the group of essays titled "The lost Cause Revisted" to be very interesting and illuminating. All of the old Confederate explanations and excuses for the war are examined and pretty much exposed for what they are; dumb reasons for ever thinking they could win a war against the North and misguided judgement of world view of slavery. A very good book. I recommend it.
What a surprise; a new book on so many old topcs with such fresh insight
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 18 years ago
McPherson is a highly respected authority on the Civil War. This book seems to me almost his signature wrap up on his distinguished career. It is a book of wisdom, as opposed to just intelligence. Many of the essays are old and appeared in various periodicals. That doesn't lose any of his continuity and coheremce of presentation. What I most like about the book is his generosity of spirit. He gets inside so many of his subjects, especially Grant and Sherman. He brings the War down from abstract policy to the dilemmas of action and everyday engangement. I don't think I learnt anything new but I got new slants on some many issues. It's worth reading the book for just the one superb chapter about the Brahmins -- aristocrats from New England, the Harvard brigade and the other Northen elites, who not only served in the War but served magnificently and courageously because they were part of a spirit of noblesse oblige. Guts, honor, bravery....... No comment on the Dick Cheney draft deferments and Jim Webb's honor, but........ A fine book. Truly fine.
Insightful Views, Graceful Writing
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 18 years ago
This slim volume of essays packs a real punch. Each is a small gem---well written, thoughtful and civil(even when debunking competing views), and honest(he looks back and revises some views based on recent scholarship). Some of the topics: Grant was great because he had "common sense" a la Harry Truman; the war for the South was about keeping slavery not the later, more palatable view of "we fought for states rights"; many men died, often in attacks that all knew would end in death because the notions of honor and duty were powerful and very real motivations. A welcome addition to an already impressive body of work.
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