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The Civil War: A Narrative, Vol. 3: Red River to Appomattox Audiobook
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Publisher Description
Here is the final volume of the highly acclaimed narrative history named one of the best nonfiction books of the century by National Review.
In The Civil War: A Narrative, Vol. 3, Shelby Foote follows the events of the war from 1862 through 1864, discussing the strategies of both the North and the South and assessing the performance of the Union generals. The book opens with the beginning of the two final, major confrontations of the war: Grant against Lee in Virginia and Sherman pressing Johnston in North Georgia. In vivid narrative as seen from both sides, he tells of the climactic struggles, great and small, on and off the field of battle, that finally decided the fate of this nation.
The Civil War: A Narrative, Vol. 3 brings to a close the story of four years of turmoil and strife that altered American life forever.
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"Shelby Foote earns a place in America's literary canon with his powerful, 3-volume narrative history of the Civil War. I've spent the last 5 years reading these books (off and on). It's a long journey, but worth the effort. Moving and tragic, Foote tells the story of America's second revolution with grace, humor, and a consummate mastery of the subject. He also tells the story of the entire war, avoiding the Eastern-centric perspective (of focusing on the struggle between Lee and the various commanders of the Army of the Potomac) that characterizes other treatments. A true treasure."
— Andrew (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“An unparalleled achievement, an American Iliad, a unique work uniting the scholarship of the historian and the high readability of the first-class novelist.”
— Walker Percy, New York Times bestselling author -
“To reread Foote is to see how the greatest historians are those who recognize that the past, like the present, is shaped by flawed, flesh-and-blood individuals, from presidents to foot soldiers.”
— Jon Meacham, New York Times bestselling author -
“The lucidity of the battle narratives, the vigor of the prose, the strong feeling for the men from generals to privates who did the fighting…Foote has the novelist’s feeling for character and situation, without losing the historian’s scrupulous regard for recorded fact.”
— Walter Millis, New York Times bestselling author -
“To read this chronicle is an awesome and moving experience. History and literature are rarely so thoroughly combined as here.”
— Newsweek -
“One of the great historical narratives of our century, a unique and brilliant achievement, one that must be firmly placed in the ranks of the masters.”
— Chicago Daily News -
“Anyone who wants to relive the Civil War…will go through this volume with pleasure…Years from now, Foote’s monumental narrative most likely will continue to be read and remembered as a classic of its kind.”
— New York Herald Tribune -
“I have never read a better, more vivid, more understandable account of the savage battling between Grant’s and Lee’s armies…Foote stays with the human strife and suffering, and unlike most Southern commentators, he does not take sides. In objectivity, in range, in mastery of detail in beauty of language and feeling for the people involved, this work surpasses anything else on the subject…It stands alongside the work of the best of them.”
— New Republic -
“The most written-about war in history has, with this completion of Shelby Foote’s trilogy, been given the epic treatment it deserves.”
— Providence Journal -
“I cannot begin to tell you how pleased I am with the whole production—the format, of course, and the quality of the sound, but above all with Grover Gardner’s performance. No writer could ask for a better out-loud reader.”
— Shelby Foote
Awards
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A National Review: 100 Best Nonfiction Books of the Century Selection
The Civil War: A Narrative, Vol. 3 Listener Reviews
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Matthew M. , 2/28/2023
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VERY DISAPPOINTED, 8/26/2019
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peter , 6/10/2019
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" An "American Illiad" indeed. "
— Christopher, 2/20/2014 -
" Reread and rating changed from 3 to 4. More appreciated the 2nd time through. Another must read for all interested in American history. This trilogy is really the definitive history of the civil war presented in a very readable style. It has been criticized for omitting mention of some of the atrocities committed by both southern and northern troops, but this is not an important omission. "
— Ross, 2/10/2014 -
" This is the third of Shelby Foote's three-volume coverage of the American Civil War. While he was not trained as an historian, his twelve years of research place his work in the realm of scholars. More than that, his beautiful prose, poignant observations and thoughtful coverage of the war yields a comprehensive understanding, not only of what happened, but how devastating the rift turned out to be. Regardless of the war's outcome, it would have lasting repercussions which we, as a nation have still not yet overcome. "
— J, 2/10/2014 -
" Historical Narrative doesn't get any better! "
— John, 2/4/2014 -
" One of the best of all the accounts of the Civil War. "
— Daniel, 2/3/2014 -
" Loved the ending and epilogue detailing how all key characters lived out their lives in post-war America. "
— Mike, 1/13/2014 -
" An extremely long, comprehensive account of the Civil War. I think it is fair to say that if Shelby Foote didn't write about it, then it didn't matter. "
— Bob, 1/4/2014 -
" Shelby Foote's 3 volume narrative of the Civil War is great for anyone who is very interested in the Civil War. I emphasize very interested because each volume is over a 1000 pages. Foote was featured in Ken Burn's Civil War on PBS. "
— Bill, 12/12/2013 -
" perfectly genius, makes history read like a novel, and the novel to read like history; beautiful, detailed, brilliant "
— Scott, 11/26/2013 -
" I read this entire three volume epic after watching the PBS special on TV about the Civil War and saw Shelby Foote quoted so much. This gives a pretty full account of the war. Not exactly light reading. "
— Jack, 6/22/2013 -
" The last volume of the classic trilogy by Shelby Foote. This last volume deals with the years 1864-1865. It tells of Sherman's invasion and burning of Atlanta as well as the surrender of General Lee to General Grant at Appomattox. "
— Steve, 5/29/2013 -
" I look forward to re-reading this final,volume of Foote's Civil War trilogy. His sympathies are clear in his recounting of events but he still handles the massive materials in an even-handed manner. his droll humor works it's way thought the three volume set. "
— Alan, 10/31/2012 -
" A fantastic conclusion to an epic series. "
— Rich, 7/26/2012 -
" Simply a must-read for anyone interested in the Civil War. "
— Ethan, 3/30/2012 -
" The portrait of Robert E. Lee keeps Volume 3 interesting. I also like the parts discussing Lincoln in the months preceeding his re-election and until his assasination just a few months after the second inauguration. "
— Scott, 1/30/2012 -
" this was one of the best detailed reading of the events of the civil war. I started with volume 3 and going to continue with volume 2 next "
— Roger, 10/26/2011 -
" Reads like a novel but very factual and gives a balanced account of the war from the Northern and Southern point of view. "
— carl, 7/3/2011 -
" I read the first book in this set and loved it. I ran out of time before I could get to the last two. Each book is 1,000 pages but I want to finish them. "
— Wes, 5/20/2011 -
" The best non-fiction series about the Civil War currently available. Foote brings his skills as a writer of fiction to a awe-inspiring work of fiction. "
— John, 4/11/2011 -
" Tremendous project, sweeping scope, wonderful prose. "
— Jim, 3/25/2011 -
" This is an outstanding civil war history. Well written, excellent detail and insights into the politics and tactics of the war. THE DEFINITIVE history in my book. "
— Ron, 1/4/2011 -
" Wonderful if you care about the Civil War. Although the battle strategy left me cold, the personal side was well worth the almost 2 months it took me to read these books. "
— Neva, 11/8/2010 -
" The best Civil War series available. "
— Gregory, 9/17/2010
About Shelby Foote
Shelby Foote (1916–2005) was an American historian and novelist who came from a long line of Mississippians. After attending the University of North Carolina, he served in World War II as a captain of field artillery in the European theater. He wrote six novels and was awarded three Guggenheim Fellowships in the twenty-year course of writing his monumental three-volume history, The Civil War: A Narrative.
About Grover Gardner
Grover Gardner (a.k.a. Tom Parker) is an award-winning narrator with over a thousand titles to his credit. Named one of the “Best Voices of the Century” and a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine, he has won three prestigious Audie Awards, was chosen Narrator of the Year for 2005 by Publishers Weekly, and has earned more than thirty Earphones Awards.