• 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 (5,025 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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Excellent Narrative

Love this format of historical story telling. Barbara Tuckman does it best (in my opinion). But, this is on par. On to volume two.

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American history at its best

Amazing, nothing else comes close. If you truly want to know what happened in the civil war this is the most powerful and complete story ever written.

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Outstanding historical narrative

What more can be said that hasn’t been expressed by others before me? Foote has written the premiere book on the US Civil War, & Grover Gardner has provided an equally wonderful audio recording of all three volumes.

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Fantastic.

Where are the other volumes? A truly wonderful historical masterpiece more gripping and engrossing than a dozen novels.

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What is there to say?

The civil war is our Trojan war, and Mr. Foote is our Homer, just as much a poet as a historian.

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Masterful Achievement Of History and Literature

A magnificent artistic convergence of painstaking historical research and brilliant narrative storytelling. I don't think you can understand America if you don't read this series

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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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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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Worth every second

It’s better than what you would hope for in a description of the personalities of the civil war

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Excellent performance and story

What can I say—it is Shelby Foote writing about the civil war. The performance is very good placing the exact matter of fact emphasis you would expect if Foote had been narrating the story himself.

JR from KY

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