The best civil war books of all time analysis civil war. Explore the history of war and weapons with our timeline of weapons technology. The civil war era, one of the ugliest periods in american history, has produced some of the most fascinating and heartbreaking books, both novels and historical accounts. It is generally known in the south as the war between the states and is also called the war of the rebellion the official union designation, the war of secession, and the war for southern independence. See all american civil war articles civil war summary. The civil war brought many advancements in gun technology, most notably the widespread use of rifled barrels. The cooperation of public and private collections and institutions brings you neverbeforepublished images and stories that.
His latest book, small arms at gettysburg, is scheduled for a fall 2007 release. During the war, a variety of weapons were used on both sides. The best civil war books of 2018 articles civil war monitor. We wanted to include a variety of volumes to appeal to many different tastes. Eventually, however, a few quality types were obtained in large numbers and became standard issue to the soldiers of both armies. The american civil war, fought between the union and confederate forces, took place from. There were old standbys like the famous bowie knife, as well as advanced weapons like the whitworth rifle. In this section you will find information about then new weapons, such as iron clad ships, the gatling gun, observation balloons, repeating rifles, and the submarine. These weapons include edged weapons such as knives, swords, and bayonets, firearms such as, rifledmuskets, breech loaders and repeating weapons, various field guns such as.
Hulbert, james marten, and amy murrell taylorfor their opinions on a variety of popular topics, including the wars. However, the simple pike still had its purposes, as edged weapons were wielded alongside mortars, cannons, and muskets. Examples of civil war rifles sharps rifle spencer rifle springfield model 1861 henry rifle of all of the civil war weapons the rifled musket was the most widely used weapon of the entire war and in fact more than 90% of the casualties during the war were caused by rifles, this figure also includes civil war pistols. The best civil war books of 2018 articles civil war. Aug 04, 2011 war is a driver for technological change, and the evolution of weapons can be seen by studying the design of the civil war weapons cataloged in this attractive fullcolor reference book. These weapons include edged weapons such as knives and swords, firearms such as handguns, rifledmuskets, breech loaders and repeating weapons, various field guns such as artillery, and new weapons such as the early grenade and machine. From meticulously reconstructed battle scenes and the politics of war, to journals from slaves and all the horrors of slavery, thousands of civil war books about americas. Weapons of war armchair general and historynet the. More than three million americans fought in the civil war and over six hundred thousand men, or two war is a driver for technological change, and the evolution of weapons can be seen by studying the design of the civil war weapons cataloged in this attractive. Obtain books, articles and documentaries about the civil war. Some of the new weapon technologies used in the civil war include rifled gun barrels, the minie ball and repeating rifles. This is orientated towards civil defence today, not towards historians of past eras like the cold war, so they should carefully check the original documents before citing them, because we have made some editorial omissions and minor corrections to some.
This epic threevolume masterpiece is to war what gibbons decline and fall of the roman empire was to history. The seventeenthcentury english civil war witnessed the evolution of personal and portable firearms. Information and articles about civil war guns, a weapon used in the. Topics include regional conflicts and sectionalism, dissolution of the union, militar how to find books on your subject. Matthew gallman is a professor of history at the university of florida. Aug 01, 2016 the civil war era, one of the ugliest periods in american history, has produced some of the most fascinating and heartbreaking books, both novels and historical accounts. This was highlighted by a changeover in shoulderfired weapons from smoothbore firearms that had to be loaded through the muzzle each time a shot was fired to rifledbarrel firearms, some of which loaded at the breech. These weapons include edged weapons such as knives, swords, and bayonets, firearms such as, rifledmuskets, breech loaders and repeating weapons, various field guns such as artillery, and new weapons such as the early grenade. They demonstrate a rifle far superior to all other firearms of the time. While the book was later made into a movie, its wellworth reading if only for the stories of rick rescorla, the platoon leader featured on the cover of the book whose nickname was hard core. The guns of the south by harry turtledove goodreads. The art of war by sun tzumore than 2,000 years old and still relevant today, the art of war is a mustread book on military theory and strategy. Articles have featured research on slavery, abolitionism, women and war, abraham lincoln, fiction, national identity, and various aspects of the northern and southern military.
Weapons there were many changes to the armament and science of war warfare that occurred during the american civil war. Somewhat implausible tale of a teenager helping smuggle guns to the confederate cherokee. Trying to name the top dozen civil war books of all time is, admittedly, a brazen act on my part. Popular rifles used in the civil war include the springfield rifle, the lorenz rifle, the colt revolving rifle. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. Start by marking the guns of the south as want to read. This two page compilation is made up of thumbnail descriptions outlining just how far from awesome these men were, and why, one hundred years later, they continue to be recognized as failures. More than three million americans fought in the civil war and over six hundred thousand men, or two war is a driver for technological change, and the evolution of weapons can be seen by studying the design of the civil war weapons cataloged in this attractive fullcolor reference book.
More americans died in the civil war than in all other wars combined. It was then used for traditional weapons which were used in a large amount or quantity. List of weapons in the american civil war wikipedia. For example, there had been several experimental submarines before the civil war. The american civil war began in 1861, lasted until 1865, and was ruinous by any standard. This essential overview of the legendary guns and armsmakers of the civil war era includes. Infantry tactics at the time of the civil war were based on the use of the smoothbore musket, a weapon of limited range and accuracy. Firing lines that were much more than a hundred yards apart could not inflict very much damage on each other, and so troops which were to make an attack would be massed together, elbow to elbow. Although it originated in southern sudan, the civil war spread to the nuba mountains and blue nile. The weapons listed in this section were all either newly invented during the war, or were major improvements of weapons that may have existed before the war.
Studying the weapons used by both the union army and confderate forces tells an intriguing story of its own. The civil war was fought in over 10,000 places and was the bloodiest war in the history of the united states. It lasted for 22 years and is one of the longest civil wars on record. Civil war history, article about the types and uses of small arms during the civil war. Within months of president lincolns inauguration, seven southern states began the secession from the union and declared the confederate states of america. This is orientated towards civil defence today, not towards historians of past eras like the cold war, so they should carefully check the original documents before citing them, because we have made some editorial omissions and minor corrections to some documents. The most defining characteristic of a civil war buff is his or her extensive knowledge about the civil war. An annotated bibliography of books and articles, 19551986. Compendium of brief extracts from declassified documents and articles relating to civil defence against weapons of mass destruction. Many weapons were used in the the civil war from knives to swords along with a variety of firearms, including rifles, pistols, muskets, and repeating weapons. The american civil war, 18611865, resulted from longstanding sectional differences and questions not fully resolved when the united states constitution was ratified in 1789, primarily the issue of slavery and states rights. The american civil war, fought between the union and confederate forces, took place from 1861 to 1865.
Apr 21, 2020 a guide to support history 226, the civil war. The 14 best military nonfiction books of alltime americas. Unlike most texts on the subject, this one doesnt ignore the skirmishes that took place out west. Not all the weapons used during the civil war were shiny new inventions, however. Civil war history is the foremost scholarly journal of the sectional conflict in the united states, focusing on social, cultural, economic, political, and military issues from antebellum america through reconstruction. Weapons of war armchair general and historynet the best. From ammunition boxes to sabers, there are many types of civil war weapons and accessories that people collect. Many early volunteers were issued antiquated, imported, and nearly obsolete weapons as both sides strained to meet the demand for arms. Lincoln states one war at a time and ends a diplomatic standoff by releasing them. Civil war weapons showcases studio photographs of the weapons used to fight the war between the states, along with illustrations and beautiful color paintings. Time life books presents echoes of glory an extraordinary, threevolume collection using the enduring relies of the north and south. Attached herein is a list the five lamest generals of the american civil war. This split in the fabric of the country began a bitter war, concluding in the death of more than. Medical and surgical care during the american civil war, 1861.
Medical and surgical care during the american civil war. Like any good war history book, the civil war books on this list take a deep dive not only into the untold horrors of warfare, but also the perspectives, personalities, and motivations behind it, as well as the ramifications. The civil war is often to referred as the first modern war in history as it. The civil war witnessed a technological revolution in weaponry. You can find uniforms of various civil war troops, but you may also want to focus on items worn by women. Far more books have been written about the civil war than about any other event in american history, and lincolns stack of books towers over that of any other american figure.
Jun 23, 2019 obtain books, articles and documentaries about the civil war. Civil war articles newspaper articles about the civil war. It was released in the united states on september 22, 1992. List of weapons in the american civil war military wiki. Any recommended reading list therefore has to be highly selective and at least somewhat arbitrary. The book details the pistols, revolvers, carbines, rifles, longarms, artillery, swords and edged weapons used in the conflict, and reveals fascinating stories and facts about each type. Firing lines that were much more than a hundred yards apart could not inflict very much damage on each other, and so troops which were to make an attack would be massed together, elbow to elbow, and would make a run for it. Civil war weapons main weapons in the civil war civil war. Hulbert, james marten, and amy murrell taylorfor their opinions on a variety of popular topics, including the wars most overrated and underratred commanders, top turning points, most influential women, and best depictions on film. This article includes a militaryrelated list of lists. Small arms of the civil war american battlefield trust. The second sudanese civil war was a conflict from 1983 to 2005 between the central sudanese government and the sudan peoples liberation army. These weapons include edged weapons such as knives and swords, firearms such as, rifledmuskets, breech loaders and repeating weapons.
Five greatest books about the civil war nonfiction. For a one volume history of the war you cant top mcpherson but for a more comprhensive history of events leading up to the war and during the war itself id recommend the 8 volume ordeal of the union by allan nevins. They created great consternation and slaughter, and the news of them went all over. This essential overview of the legendary guns and armsmakers of the civil war era includes exquisite photography of the handguns, rifles, and. More than three million americans fought in the civil war and over six hundred thousand men, or two percent of the population, died in this deradful conflict. It is the definitive history of the us civil war it gives equal treatment to both sides, and is more than one million words, but is never boring. Nov, 20 hey all, christmas is coming up and for those of us that have an amazon addiction its time to get some ideas on what to ask santa claus for. At the beginning of the civil war, firearms of all types were in short supply. Guns of the civil war and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. As usual, we enlisted the help of a handful of civil war historians and enthusiasts, avid readers all, and asked them to pick their two favorite books published in 2018. The civil war was fought all over the united states, although mainly in the south. Civil war weapons main weapons in the civil war civil. The whitworth was invented in england prior to the war, but due to its cost it did not receive much use until the confederates began using it as a sniper rifle during the civil war.
Below is a description of english civil war weapons. This device is easy to manoeuvre and can be used by one man alone. The guns of the south is an alternate history novel set during the american civil war by harry turtledove. Despite my fondness for alternate history, ive never gotten around to reading much of it, and harry. Information and articles about civil war weapons used during the american civil. Please note, many of the technologies are difficult to attribute, and historical dates are often approximate. That and the fact that i am curios as to who thinks what are the best books that have been written on the civil war. Weapons of the civil war by matthew kent, north carolina state university, 20 war is a driving force behind innovation and invention, and every change or advancement in weapons technology impacts the tactics and the style of warfare utilized at the time. Examples of civil war rifles sharps rifle spencer rifle springfield model 1861 henry rifle of all of the civil war weapons the rifled musket was the most widely used weapon of the entire war and in fact more than 90% of the casualties during the war were caused by rifles, this figure also includes civil war pistols youve seen the scene where hundreds or thousands of soldiers.
Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer no kindle device required. There are many great sources of information about the civil war, available online or at your local bookstore. He has written and edited many books on military technology and history, including. Articles have featured research on slavery, abolitionism, women and war, abraham lincoln, fiction, national. The story deals with a group of timetravelling white supremacist members of. Those who appreciate a solid overview will find much to. Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. It was largely a continuation of the first sudanese civil war of 1955 to 1972. For our latest newsstandonly special issue, the civil war almanac, we asked a panel of civil war historiansj. The american civil war by union and confederate soldiers took place during the years 18611865.
Guns of the civil war and millions of other books are available for amazon. Any recommended reading list therefore has to be highly selective and at least somewhat. Hey all, christmas is coming up and for those of us that have an amazon addiction its time to get some ideas on what to ask santa claus for. The best civil war books of all time analysis civil. Weapons of war if this is your first visit, be sure to check out the faq by clicking the link above. Two percent of the population at the time approximately 620,000 died during the conflict. The phrase weapons of mass destruction was coined by the london times in 1937 in an article describing the bombing of the basque town of guernica, spain by german planes as support for the rebels in the spanish civil war.
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