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Hard Tack and Coffee: or, The Unwritten Story of Army Life Audiobook
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(4.02) - 175 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Throughout history, from antiquity to the present, service in the armed forces of one’s country has provided an almost endless source of material to entertain and even enlighten listeners. Military life has usually been a unique and peculiar experience for most civilians exposed to it. Originally published in 1888, Hard Tack and Coffee is the fascinating account of the everyday life of a footsoldier in the US Army of one hundred years ago. John Billings describes all aspects of a soldier’s life, including living quarters, foraging, wagon trains, offenses and punishments, equipment, transportation, food, hospitals, and much more. This is a detailed, comprehensive, and highly absorbing resource on the common soldier’s life in the Civil War army.
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"A detailed account of the daily life of Civil War soldiers. If you want to find out what types of insect life infested army hardtack, or how they buried all those dead and rotting horses after a large battle, this book is for you. Very funny and informative. "
— HRT (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“One of the most entertaining of all Civil War books.”
— Henry Steele Commager -
“Billings not only presents his own experiences but also describes what he learns from other soldiers. His account is often full of humor as he describes soldiers' rations, fights with lice, and camp songs.”
— AudioFile
Hard Tack and Coffee Listener Reviews
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" This is a good look at the "nut 'n bolts" of the Union operation. This is not about the fighting but about the everyday operations. "
— Bob, 6/24/2012 -
" Brilliant summary of the common infantry soldier's life. "
— Lewis, 3/3/2012 -
" I have a first edition of this book, a gift from someone very special to me. "
— Derrick, 12/15/2011 -
" This is a good look at the "nut 'n bolts" of the Union operation. This is not about the fighting but about the everyday operations. "
— Bob, 12/21/2010 -
" Proof that I'm a history nerd - I loved this! This probably isn't for everyone but there are some really enjoyable parts so it's at least worth a good browse. "
— Carrie, 1/22/2010 -
" Brilliant summary of the common infantry soldier's life. "
— Laura, 7/14/2009 -
" A description of life in the frontier army during the Civil War. "
— Fredrick, 10/30/2008 -
" Proof that I'm a history nerd - I loved this! This probably isn't for everyone but there are some really enjoyable parts so it's at least worth a good browse. "
— Carrie, 5/29/2008 -
" Really interesting, in that this captures one man's view of real Civic War military life. I don't think he missed any detail or observation. The more things change, the more they stay the same...and that's not where I ever want to be. "
— Apryl, 4/29/2008 -
" A detailed account of the daily life of Civil War soldiers. If you want to find out what types of insect life infested army hardtack, or how they buried all those dead and rotting horses after a large battle, this book is for you. Very funny and informative. "
— Avis, 1/30/2008 -
" Hardtack and Coffee is one of my go to reference books in my Civil War library. It explains every facet of a Civil War soldier's life from entertainment in camp to discipline. This book is a must have for every Civil War historian and historical fiction writer. "
— Haley, 7/4/2007
About John D. Billings
John D. Billings served with the Army of the Potomac during the Civil War in both Sickles’ Third and Hancock’s Second Corps. He was also Department Commander of the Massachusetts Grand Army of the Republic.
About Edward Lewis
Edward Lewis (a.k.a. David Hilder) is a stage, film, and television actor. He has narrated unabridged audiobooks for over eighteen years and has recorded more than two hundred titles, spanning works of fiction and nonfiction.