The Civil War: A Narrative, Vol. 1: Fort Sumter to Perryville Audiobook

" Hear here "

" Foote's sweeping narrative, comprehensive, soaring, occasionally bogging down in minutiae (part of its overall charm for me- I find stuff like the murder of Big Bill Nelson and his murderer going free and continuing to serve as a general officer in the Union Army for years after his crime fascinating), this is the benchmark by which "epic" nonfiction ought to be measured. Currently at work on volume II! "

" Ten Years was well worth the wait. I started this book back in Feb 2003 while getting ready to depart to OIF I and finally just finished it! "

" Dense, though if you've seen Ken Burns' Civil War, you know why you should read this...it's the first of a three volume set. "

" Tremendously readable. He is more interested in telling a good story than just giving a plain factual account. The size if the three-part series is daunting but the narrative flows well. He is more sympathetic to the South, which is understandable as he is a native Southerner, Mississippi, I believe. You have to wonder how Lincoln or Davis held up for four years, the strain they were under was unbearable. So many deaths, it must have seemed like the flower of America's youth both North and South were being washed away. I read this after MacPherson's more factual, Northern-oriented book, Battlecry of Freedom. I am enjoying the contrast. "

" It's impressive for its breadth, readability, and historical detail. Foote draws you deep into battles and the people that fought on both sides. "

" I have never enjoyed reading anything more in my life. This is a Homeric telling of America's 2nd revolution. The author is biased towards the south, and he fails to adequately incorporate the political developments of the time into his account. He also worships the wrong hero: Jefferson Davis rather than Abe Lincoln. But the Civil War is the story of the south more than the north, and its being told by a southern partisan is thus fitting. No one has ever researched a topic more thoroughly. No one has ever brought ghosts to life like this. After reading this book, places like Shiloh, Vicksburg, and Chattanooga are transformed into holy ground. It is so gargantuan, I fear I will never have to chance to read it again "

" A hell of a bedtime story. "

" at times plodding and at other times a page-turner. primarily a military history. the other two volumes will need to wait "

" Outstanding, readable and entirely accessible narrative of the events of the Civil War's earliest years. I have always meant to read this and am glad I finally had a chance recently. One can easily see the influence this book had on Ken Burn's classic CIVIL WAR PBS series. "

" This is one of those historical works that I need to read again, along with Volume Two and Three. Foote is very readable and has a subtle sense of humor that adds accents to the breadth of the events he covers. "

" OMG longest book I have ever read. It was good too. "

" Very detailed, but hard to read. "

" I love Shelby Foote! "

" What a detailed account of the first stages of the war. Every little skirmish and major battle is brought to life. Looking forward to reading the 2nd and 3rd volumes. LATER! I read McPherson's book so I'm a bit burned out on Civil War stuff right now. I get to them eventually. "

" Exhaustive history of the first third of the U.S Civil War...if you like that kind of thing, then it's great. If not, it'll be agonizingly painful. "

" I am learning that nearly everything I learned about the civil war is either wrong or distorted. "

" Best civil war book I've read. Wonderful details and so well written. "

" Great summary of the Civil War, an easy to read narrative. The maps were a bit scarcer than I would like, the chapters were long making it hard to use for research, and there were no footnotes. "

" 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. "

" 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. "

" Tremendous project, sweeping scope, wonderful prose. "

" 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. "

" 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. "

" The best Civil War series available. "