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The American Civil War: A Military History Audiobook
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(3.03) - 444 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
For the past half century, John Keegan, the greatest military historian of our time, has been returning to the scenes of America’s most bloody and wrenching war to ponder its lingering conundrums: the continuation of fighting for four years between such vastly mismatched sides; the dogged persistence of ill-trained, ill-equipped, and often malnourished combatants; the effective absence of decisive battles among some two to three hundred known to us by name. Now Keegan examines these and other puzzles with a peerless understanding of warfare, uncovering dimensions of the conflict that have eluded earlier historiography. While offering original and perceptive insights into psychology, ideology, demographics, and economics, Keegan reveals the war’s hidden shape—a consequence of leadership, the evolution of strategic logic, and, above all, geography, the Rosetta Stone of his legendary decipherments of all great battles. The American topography, Keegan argues, presented a battle space of complexity and challenges virtually unmatched before or since. Out of a succession of mythic but chaotic engagements, he weaves an irresistible narrative illuminated with comparisons to the Napoleonic Wars, the First World War, and other conflicts. The American Civil War is sure to be hailed as a definitive account of its eternally fascinating subject.
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"I really enjoyed Keegan's "The American Civil War." I found it to be interesting, well-written and researched. Like all Keegan's books, I keep it on my self for handy reference. I heard that Dr. McPherson gave the book a less than stellar review. I don't understand why."
— David (5 out of 5 stars)
The American Civil War Listener Reviews
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" A bit disappointing, at least compared to some of Keegan's better books. It does serve a pretty good overview of the Civil War, though I'm not sure how much additional information or insight someone who has read a fair amount of Civil War history would get. Keegan's books on the first and second World War were exciting and enjoyable reads--this one doesn't have the snap of either of the two of them, which is what I was expecting from this book. "
— Ben, 2/20/2014 -
" An excellent book on the American Civil War by the well-known British military historian. It has the virtues of an outsider's viewpoint. One of the few books that doesn't fawn over Lee. He makes the case that Grant's grasp on strategy was much deeper than Lee's. "
— Ed, 2/14/2014 -
" A great concise military history. A wonderful read. To the point. "
— Mickey, 2/10/2014 -
" A great concise history of the Civil War, with a focus on Military issues. Keegan likes to organize his histories around a theme, and here he attempts to answer why the South was able to last as long as it did. A good read, but not great if you want the grander social and political sweep. "
— Graeme, 1/14/2014 -
" Not Stephen Sears, in that Keegan cruises over the major battles to identify and focus the themes. The best war writer deserves to be read. "
— W, 12/17/2013 -
" Quite well written. I skimmed some parts because I was reading it mainly as research for a paper about logistics. "
— Evelyn, 11/30/2013 -
" An insightful look at the American Civil War by a British historian no less. "
— Christopher, 8/4/2013 -
" Very interesting points, such as the terrain of America being an aspect of why the major battles were so bloody. "
— Adam, 7/19/2013 -
" This was an excellent scamper through the salient points and key battles, learnt loads, good preparation for Spielberg's Lincoln movie "
— Andreww, 3/6/2013 -
" If you had told me this was written by a Southerner less than a decade removed from the war, I would not have been surprised. This was the most shoddy example of historical scholarship I have ever had the unfortunate luck of reading. "
— Kerry, 1/15/2012 -
" I always like Keegan, in general I liked the book. It lacked the good organization of his WWI, WWII books, some odd repetition and jumps in time when moving from zone to zone of the war. "
— Vivian, 12/16/2011 -
" Keegan writes a different view of the Civil War, one which looks at strategy. He explains why both sides entered this conflict, why it was necessary and why it lasted so long. "
— Gary, 11/8/2011 -
" This was ok. Listened to it in my car. Informationally it's quite good but it gets a bit dry at times. It was quite date and times heavy which made it textbooklike, but it did remain interesting enough to keep me going. "
— Zazzu, 5/27/2011 -
" Keegan writes a different view of the Civil War, one which looks at strategy. He explains why both sides entered this conflict, why it was necessary and why it lasted so long. "
— Gary, 3/26/2011 -
" I feel sacrilegious saying this, but I found the book very disappointing. "
— John, 11/11/2010 -
" Not a bad book. He had a few inaccuracies (US GRant served as President until 1884 (actually until 1876). Otherwise it was a good comprehensive narrative about the defining experience of America "
— Mark, 2/14/2010 -
" Not Stephen Sears, in that Keegan cruises over the major battles to identify and focus the themes. The best war writer deserves to be read. "
— W, 12/20/2009
About John Keegan
John Keegan is the defense editor of the Daily Telegraph (London) and Britain’s foremost military historian. He is the author of many bestselling books, including The First World War, Intelligence in War, and The Battle for History. He lives in Wiltshire, England.
About Robin Sachs
Judy Young is a voice talent and audiobook narrator.