The American Civil War: A Handbook of Literature and Research

(Hardback)

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Description

The single most important volume for anyone interested in the Civil War to own and consult. (From the foreword by James M. McPherson) The first guide to Civil War literature to appear in nearly 30 years, this book provides the most comprehensive, up-to-date, and informative survey and analysis of the vast body of Civil War literature. More than 40 essays, each by a specialist in a particular subfield of Civil War history, offer unmatched thoroughness and discerning assessments of each work's value. The essays cover every aspect of the war from strategy, tactics, and battles to logistics, intelligence, supply, and prisoner-of-war camps, from generals and admirals to the men in the ranks, from the Atlantic to the Far West, from fighting fronts to the home front. Some sections cover civilian leaders, the economy, and foreign policy, while others deal with the causes of war and aspects of Reconstruction, including the African-American experience during and after the war. Breadth of topics is matched by breadth of genres covered. Essays discuss surveys of the war, general reference works, published and unpublished papers, diaries and letters, as well as the vast body of monographic literature, including books, dissertations, and articles. Genealogical sources, historical fiction, and video and audio recordings also receive attention. Students of the American Civil War will find this work an indispensable gateway and guide to the enormous body of information on America's pivotal experience.

Reviews

"This book will guide the reader to works and sources that will be valuable in a particular area of study. It should serve those who are turning their attention to one of its many facets they haven't yet explored....Using this book should save students of the War, new or experienced, false starts and wasted effort, and speed them on their way to the productive examination of America's "fiery trial.,.""-Confederate Veteran
[I]mmensely valuable as [a] reference work. Steven Woodworth [has] provided [a] guide that will help professional historians and beginners sort out Civil War literature. [This] indispensible volume should be included in every Civil War library.-The Journal of Southwest Georgia History
[This work] is essential for Civil War specialists and highly recommended even for enthusiasts only slightly past the neophyte stage.... [It] is so readable and so impressively informative that [it] could be enjoyed in and of [itself], as well as used from time to time as [a] reference tool--as [it] no doubt will be by all serious scholars.... Woodworth's work...is simply a treasure-trove of Civil War knowledge, going well beyond the boundaries of books.... It is hard to say enough about how important and useful [this book is] and how important it is that all Civil War enthusiasts should know about [it]. I guarantee they'll treasure [it].- Civil War Times
The expertise, care, and clarity evident in [this] work will benefit researchers from beginners to scholars in all types of libraries.-Reference & User Services Quarterly
This book will guide the reader to works and sources that will be valuable in a particular area of study. It should serve those who are turning their attention to one of its many facets they haven't yet explored....Using this book should save students of the War, new or experienced, false starts and wasted effort, and speed them on their way to the productive examination of America's "fiery trial.,."-Confederate Veteran
This massive work has 47 contributors, all distinguished scholars on the period...This book is intended to guide both the neophyte and experienced Civil War scholar. The essays show trends and changes in historical interpretations and sometimes even mention areas in need of further research... It is current and extensive in its coverage. Academic, public, and Civil War collections should consider this excellent reference source for their collections.-Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin
Woodworth has orchestrated the contributions of librarians, museum curators, and historians, forty-nine strong, into a bibliographic guide that will help both the newcomer and the seasoned Civil War researcher sift through the masses of material published about that conflict, its causes, its conduct, and its aftermath.... the Civil War, at least for researchers, begins henceforth with Woodworth's handbook.-Rettig on Reference
Woodworth's handbook is an excellent guide through the immense bibliography of America's greatest conflict. More than 45 specialists provide bibliographic essays on a wide range of topics...Many of the substantial essays are important not only for their bibliographic content, but for their analysis of the changing themes and trends of Civil War scholarship....Scope and quality make this an ideal reference text for students, bibliographers, scholars, and curators of Civil War materials. Highly recommended.-Choice
"Immensely valuable as a reference work. Steven Woodworth has provided a guide that will help professional historians and beginners sort out Civil War literature. This indispensible volume should be included in every Civil War library."-The Journal of Southwest Georgia History
"This work is essential for Civil War specialists and highly recommended even for enthusiasts only slightly past the neophyte stage.... It is so readable and so impressively informative that it could be enjoyed in and of itself, as well as used from time to time as a reference tool--as it no doubt will be by all serious scholars.... Woodworth's work...is simply a treasure-trove of Civil War knowledge, going well beyond the boundaries of books.... It is hard to say enough about how important and useful this book is and how important it is that all Civil War enthusiasts should know about it. I guarantee they'll treasure it."- Civil War Times
"The expertise, care, and clarity evident in this work will benefit researchers from beginners to scholars in all types of libraries."-Reference & User Services Quarterly
"[I]mmensely valuable as [a] reference work. Steven Woodworth [has] provided [a] guide that will help professional historians and beginners sort out Civil War literature. [This] indispensible volume should be included in every Civil War library."-The Journal of Southwest Georgia History
"The expertise, care, and clarity evident in [this] work will benefit researchers from beginners to scholars in all types of libraries."-Reference & User Services Quarterly
"This massive work has 47 contributors, all distinguished scholars on the period...This book is intended to guide both the neophyte and experienced Civil War scholar. The essays show trends and changes in historical interpretations and sometimes even mention areas in need of further research... It is current and extensive in its coverage. Academic, public, and Civil War collections should consider this excellent reference source for their collections."-Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin
"Woodworth has orchestrated the contributions of librarians, museum curators, and historians, forty-nine strong, into a bibliographic guide that will help both the newcomer and the seasoned Civil War researcher sift through the masses of material published about that conflict, its causes, its conduct, and its aftermath.... the Civil War, at least for researchers, begins henceforth with Woodworth's handbook."-Rettig on Reference
"Woodworth's handbook is an excellent guide through the immense bibliography of America's greatest conflict. More than 45 specialists provide bibliographic essays on a wide range of topics...Many of the substantial essays are important not only for their bibliographic content, but for their analysis of the changing themes and trends of Civil War scholarship....Scope and quality make this an ideal reference text for students, bibliographers, scholars, and curators of Civil War materials. Highly recommended."-Choice
"[This work] is essential for Civil War specialists and highly recommended even for enthusiasts only slightly past the neophyte stage.... [It] is so readable and so impressively informative that [it] could be enjoyed in and of [itself], as well as used from time to time as [a] reference tool--as [it] no doubt will be by all serious scholars.... Woodworth's work...is simply a treasure-trove of Civil War knowledge, going well beyond the boundaries of books.... It is hard to say enough about how important and useful [this book is] and how important it is that all Civil War enthusiasts should know about [it]. I guarantee they'll treasure [it]."- Civil War Times

Author Bio

STEVEN E. WOODWORTH is Associate Professor of History at Toccoa Falls College in Georgia. He is the author of Jefferson Davis and His Generals: The Failure of Confederate Command in the West (1990), Davis and Lee at War (1995), and Leadership and Command in the American Civil War (1995).