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

  • By: Shelby Foote
  • Narrated by: Grover Gardner
  • Length: 42 hrs and 58 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (5,013 ratings)

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

By: Shelby Foote
Narrated by: Grover Gardner
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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

What listeners say about The Civil War: A Narrative, Volume I, Fort Sumter to Perryville

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4 Years of War broken down

An excellent narrative detailing the precursors to war and the actions on both sides to achieve victory for their nation. This is the most comprehensive history I have read (listened to)

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I enjoyed it

I love to listen to military history so for me and anyone like me it’s great, but if you tend to like fiction more steer clear of this. It gets into almost everything from the men in battle and how they got there to the impact of the battle in both Washington and Richmond.

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Amazing achievement

I have always liked Shelby Foote and when I found out he wrote this three volume set, I purchased it immediately and waited for just the right time to jump in. This is a very detailed and stunning work of historical narration. I don't think I've ever read anything quite like this in my life and I'm extremely impressed with the totality of this work, just in this first volume alone. It's its own thing, masterful and epic in a way very few historians could achieve, like Gibbons or the Durant's. This puts any other documentary or book I've read on the subject to shame.

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A modern masterpiece of narrative

Shelby Foote has produced a massive work of true excellence. He seem to penetrate right into the soul of the main characters. He is very practical in looking into their most mundane activities, but then pauses to relate their deep inner feelings.
Grover Gardner is excellent, as usual, as narrator.

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Perfect combo are of info and storytelling

For anyone who hasn’t watched Ken Burns The Civil War; do it, and see this author appear over 100 times and you will love this book even more once you understand who you are reading.

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An extraordinary review of the civil war

The way this was written, truly allows the listener to grow into the storyline. And for those that are not huge history fans, it's not written in a manner that would put someone to sleep.

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Great.

Awesome narrative and a great author. I was very impressed with the depth of information provided. Bravo

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A classic

If only all periods of history had such an authoritatively, well-written series of books about that respective time. This is a tremendous work- and Grover Gardner is the perfect narrator.

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  • 03-01-23

outstanding

this is an absolutely outstanding narrative of the Civil War and a must-read for any serious scholar of that period of American history

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Flat out amazing!

Having studied the Civil War most of my life, and having a great love and respect for Mr. Foote’s work, I am greatly indebted to the creators of this audiobook. Mr. Foote’s large, three volume set has sat on my shelf for years unread. Mostly due to the intimidating length of each book, and the lack of free time to dive into them. I cannot begin to comprehend the massive amount of research that He had to do to compile such a narrative history, but He has brought to life that struggle in ways that no other book, movie or documentary ever has. Shelby Foote is a true master. The only thing that could’ve have made this audiobook any better is if He had been able to read it himself. Definitely worth the forty hour investment.

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