TOCWOC – A Civil War Blog

Category: Civil War Book Reviews

  • Civil War Book Review: Confederate Minds: The Struggle for Intellectual Independence in the Civil War South

    Confederate Minds: The Struggle for Intellectual Independence in the Civil War South by Michael T. Bernath Product Details Hardcover: 432 pages Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press (July 7, 2010) Language: English ISBN-10: 0807833916 ISBN-13: 978-0807833919 Independent, Southern tone, original and peculiar to itself You can always find a debate over whether the Confederate […]

  • Short Takes

    The militia is gathering here in NC. No, it’s not those weird guys in camo, it’s a group reenacting the historic North Carolina militia. The Zebulon B. Vance Birthplace State Historic Site is hosting the annual fall militia encampment Saturday and Sunday. The event, which has happened in one form or another at the site […]

  • Civil War Book Review: Nathan Bedford Forrest’s Redemption

    Nathan Bedford Forrest’s Redemption by Shane Kastler Product Details Hardcover: 176 pages Publisher: Pelican Publishing (October 1, 2010) Language: English ISBN-10: 1589808347 ISBN-13: 978-1589808348 If you wish to start a heated discussion praise/damn Forrest on a Civil War board.  Forrest is always a hot topic with strong opinions being voice by both sides.  A large […]

  • Civil War Book Review: A Rainbow of Blood: The Union in Peril An Alternate History

    A Rainbow of Blood: The Union in Peril An Alternate History by Peter G. Tsouras Product Details Hardcover: 272 pages Publisher: Potomac Books Inc.; 1 edition (July 31, 2010) Language: English ISBN-10: 1597972118 ISBN-13: 978-1597972116 I enjoy “what if” history understanding that alternate paths are very possible throughout our historical journey.  Doing alternate history is […]

  • September 2010 Civil War Book Notes

    Those that can’t write, Review! September 2010 James W. Durney *********************************************************** In my mailbox or on the shelves I want to recommend this book again.  I am enjoying the one-page Bios Part of the New Jersey Civil War Sesquicentennial is New Jersey Goes to War edited by Joseph G. Bilby containing 150 biographies of New […]

  • Civil War Book Review: The Grand Design: Strategy and the U.S. Civil War

    The Grand Design: Strategy and the U.S. Civil War by Donald Stoker Product Details Hardcover: 512 pages Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (July 15, 2010) Language: English ISBN-10: 0195373057 ISBN-13: 978-0195373059 Nations often stumble into war.  Miscalculations, expectations and preconceptions work together to blind one or both parties to reality.  The result is a war […]

  • Civil War Book Review: Commanding Lincoln’s Navy: Union Naval Leadership During the Civil War

    Commanding Lincoln’s Navy: Union Naval Leadership During the Civil War by Stephen R. Taaffe Product Details Hardcover: 352 pages Publisher: Naval Institute Press (May 4, 2009) Language: English ISBN-10: 1591148553 ISBN-13: 978-1591148555 The author brings his considerable talents to the US Navy during the Civil War, their mission and their management.  As with Commanding the […]