The Civil War: A Narrative, Volume I, Fort Sumter to Perryville

By: Shelby Foote

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

Length: 42 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

The Civil War: A Narrative, Vol. 1 begins one of the most remarkable works of history ever fashioned. All the great battles are here, of course, from Bull Run through Shiloh, the Seven Days Battles, and Antietam, but so are the smaller ones: Ball's Bluff, Fort Donelson, Pea Ridge, Island Ten, New Orleans, and Monitor versus Merrimac.

The word “narrative” is the key to this extraordinary book’s incandescence and its truth. The story is told entirely from the point of view of the people involved in it. One learns not only what was happening on all fronts but also how the author discovered it during his years of exhaustive research.

This first volume in Shelby Foote’s comprehensive history is a must-listen for anyone interested in one of the bloodiest wars in America’s history.

©1986 Shelby Foote (P)2011 Blackstone Audio

Very in depth

So much history. We all know of the civil war, yet know little of how it happened. From politics to battles. This book will not disappoint.

Simply the Best

Classic book, brilliantly written and engaging, and brilliantly read. The next volumes (which I’ve read years ago but not yet heard), will surely be superb also.

Thorough and fascinating!

I loved this book overall though I had a hard time getting through the military tactics portions of the book. That's just me though...if you love that stuff you're going to love this book!

A very complete volume

I bought these volumes 6 months before my first trip to Gettysburg. I was a bit overwhelmed by the information given here, but I'm glad I dived in. The other criticisms are correct that this is not for the novice, unless you are well motivated. I now understand the motivations, tactics and horror so much better now and can have, at least, an elementary conversation about the war. I even had a few facts that my father hadn't heard of before, which is really hard to do. This is a work that delves very deeply into each battle on both sides with the politics included. Shelby Foote's work is amazing and if you've ever seen Ken Burn's Civil War work, look for him. His stories from this work is included.

Totally Engrossing

Would you consider the audio edition of The Civil War to be better than the print version?

Absolutely! I'm sure that the nuance of emotions could not rise off the printed page as well.

What did you like best about this story?

As a West Point graduate, I was educated deeply in the strategy and tactics involved in the war. What was not taught were the aspects of the personal idiosyncracies of the major personnel; the impacts on the civilian population nor the political interactions. This history filled in all the cracks.

Have you listened to any of Grover Gardner’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

N/A

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Every moment was a garden of delight.

Any additional comments?

As this is a huge file, be prepared to sacrifice shelf space.

Narrative

While this book gives all of the requisite dates and battle movements of armies, which can be a little hard to follow without the maps and apendixes a book like this is sure to come with, it's narrative styles makes learning the civil war a delight. This book delves deeply into the beginnings of the civil war and shows the characters of the people behind the start of the war fairly. People easily take sides when it comes to civil war, but this book gives a relatively unbiased view of what the author believies happened that led to the war. A very long, but rewarding listen.

amazing unmatched definitive

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

yes, the book opens a window to the past

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Civil War?

the entire volume is a joy

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Mr Foote understands the period like no one else i've read.

Superb overview-style contextual history.

I truly enjoyed this book. It is a contextual history which supplies a lot of background understanding of the Civil War.

Uniquely exceptional

Shelby Foote's multi-volume narrative of the Civil War is, quite simply, one of the finest efforts of historical literature in the history of the English language. And I think I will leave it at that.

clearing concise

The narrator has a very authoritative and pleasing voice. brings history alive.
on to volume two