The Politically Incorrect Guide to the Civil War

By: H. W. Crocker III

Narrated by: Bill Wallace

Length: 12 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

Get ready for a rousing rebel yell as best-selling author H. W. Crocker III charges through bunkers and battlefields in The Politically Incorrect Guide to the Civil War. Crocker busts myths and shatters stereotypes as he profiles eminent and colorful military generals, revealing little-known truths, like why Robert E. Lee had a higher regard for African-Americans than Lincoln did. Crocker culminates his tome in the most politically incorrect chapter of all: "What If the South Had Won." This is the "P.I." Guide that every Civil War buff and Southern partisan will want on their bookshelf, in their classroom, and under their Christmas tree.

©2008 H. W. Crocker III (P)2008 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

If the South had won

Speculation is just speculation. I will say that legally, yah the south had the right to leave. And it would be much easier to see it from the southern perspective if they had abolished slavery before the war. If there wasn’t so many horror stories of the maltreatment of slaves and of course, the pursuit and persistence of racism abs white supremacy after the war.

Mind altering

This book re-wired my brain. The author's open sympathy for the confederate cause is backed by rational arguments and historic facts that the public schools in the north didn't impart to me. Crocker is fair to the Northern heros, too, giving credit where it's due.

The narration is excellent, couldn't turn it off.

Great Overview

It pick out and corrects a number of misconceptions of the war and gives quotes. I would recommend everyone read this.

Language

A bit of bad language in some direct quotes. But definitely worth the read or listen.

fantastic

I really enjoyed all of this. great mini biographies of heavy hitters and missers. I will definitely be listening to this again soon.

An accurate story of the reasons for the war

Succession was not an uncommon thought among the states. In 1814 at the Hartford convention seven New England states plus New York gathered to consider succession as they were unhappy with the Louisiana purchase and other federal moves that reduced the importance of New England shipping.

The south had no reason to secede for slavery. Slavery was legal and established Per the constitution.Georgia and South Carolina had made two prior Attempts to negate federal efforts to increase Tarrifs . Terrace represented 90% of federal revenues, 70% of which were paid by the south due to their dependence on European goods, Well 70% of the benefits went to the Northern states.

Read Lincolns inaugural address. About half of it deals with his attempt to reassure the south that he had no intention of ending slavery which he stated was legal. This inaugural was given after seven states of already succeeded. he also stated that he would support the Corwin amendment, which would’ve become the 13th amendment how they proceeded, which stated that the US government would never attempt to make slavery illegal in states that had it at that time. He went on to say that he would howeverUse force to collect Terrace.

Read the emancipation proclamation. I did not free slaves anywhere where the union had control and could actually free them. In fact it went so far as to note the exclusion of the border states as well as certain counties in Louisiana and I believe Tennessee were union troops already occupied and could have freed them but they did not. A previous version of the emancipation which Lincoln had invited Frederick Douglass to Washington to review in September 1862, called for removing slaves to colonies in Latin America after their emancipation.

The reality was that America was much more racist than our history books indicate, especially those are northern liberals want to use. All of the northern states had black codes which were the same as Jim crow laws. Even Lincoln state of Illinois had laws that required thorough documentation there any blacks that tried moving there were free. How they would’ve gotten that documentation is hard to understand in days before computers and yet many of the same folks where are you you don’t need an ID to vote today. They were also required to pay $1000 for each person they were bringing in in currency of the time which would’ve been much more than today. Basic bottom line they didn’t want blacks in Illinois. Or Ohio. Or literally any state in the north.

Hundreds of thousands of union troops deserted after the emancipation as that was not why they joined to fight the south. The biggest mistake the south made was firing on fort Sumter. I’ll leave it at that there’s many books that have very good details about this including real Lincoln. But all these other things that I have stated above can be verified on something as simple as Wikipedia. I always do additional research from what I would consider opposing sources of opinion to verify they’re not just something someone made up. I’d also say that the library of congress or other such document sources for the emancipation as well as the preliminary emancipation etc. should do.

Basic bottom line, America was the only country in the world to fight a war supposedly to free slaves. How are why would that have happened? Are there not been a war as this book says, slavery would’ve gone away, southern states would’ve reconciled, and 3/4 of 1 million people pushed all the descendants that never got to be, Would’ve figured it out without destroying the south.

I would also like to point out that the Atlantic slave trade which is often all this discussed, started 500 years after the eastern slave trade started by Muslim traders who terrorized northern Africa and southern Europe during that time and for hundreds of years afterwards. Don’t forget that that popular song that mentions the halls of TripoliWas Thomas Jefferson sending our military to fight the Barbary pirates who are long behind these efforts in slavery.

I really enjoyed the narrator, Although I could understand why his enthusiastic tone of voice might offend some of those above the mason Dixon line.

REAFFIRMED Much of What I Learned 50+Years Ago

Not Only is his Storyline enlightening & entertaining, it is Backed-up by High Quality Verifiable References!

A great second listen

I liked it very much. Listening to it a second time through there were so many details that kept me riveted and interested.

Typical southern slant

Although the author makes many good points, some of his assertions are, in my opinion, sheer nonsense. It always amazes me to hear people try to pass off the crap about the war not being about slavery, and I was born and raised in the South. If you listen to this, do so with an open mind and remember that these are his opinions, then listen to some of the good Civil War books :-)

Critique

Overall, this is one of the best documented books I have read or listened to. Based on a lifetime of interest and study of the American Civil War, I find the information in this book to be historically correct and truthful with few exceptions. Those with preconceived viewpoints regarding this event may consider it to be Pro South. I believe any library would benefit from its inclusion. Everything I’ve read concerning the key leaders of this war is inline with the author’s statements. I would recommend this book to anyone who would like to become better informed regarding the war between the states.