The Civil War: A Narrative, Volume II, Fredericksburg to Meridian

This series is easily the best Civil War work out there. Foote is
magnificent, giving more than just battle details, giving details about the politics, society, and personalities that make this war the defining moment of our nation. The narrator is magnificent. A must listen and well worth the hours (and I mean hours) of listening.

Mr. Foote delivers the second of three volumes here, and spares no
detail. I've studied the Civil War off an on since I was a child, and
have discovered through this series that I know nothing.
Aside from being minutely informative, this series is also entertaining,
as any 60-hour audiobook should be. There is plenty of colorful turn
of phrase here, and a lot of the wit of Lincoln, and others, is entirely
new to me.

The civil war was truly a defining moment in American history ! Shelby Foote was a man who through his pen brought us face to face with the titanic figures of this war. He brings us into the personal lives of so many "yankees" and "rebs" common foot soldiers, officers, Generals, civilans, and the common folk; I found it both terrifing and unbelievable as letters are read, relationships long since gone into history once again alive and breathing life into my ears.

I laughed heartily and I cried deeply for the people of this historical event called the Civil War. I love Shelby's way of writing and his gentle, warm southern charm; this comes seeps through the book everywhere. The late Mr. Foote was brutally honest to both sides and maintain a fair and very well balanced view of the civil war.

I cannot do this book justice in writing this review by my words - this book - The Civil War by Shelby Foote is something that you Audible listener MUST experience for yourself !! As you listen time fades away as you stand transfixed on the events unfolding right there before your eyes and ears.

Every single person must listen to this book as it touchs on every single issue that you will every encounter in your life. Download this book now YOUR experience is waiting !! :)

This book is far different and far better than I expected. It truly is a narrative and not a dull history treatise. It is written impartially from neither a Southern nor Northern perspective. The noble intentions and motivations of participants from both sides come through vividly.
You should read all three volumes. It will give you a broad perspective on the Civil War. Unlike any other history I've read on this war, these books will impart an understanding of what went on in the West, the North, and such places as Florida and Arkansas. I hardly knew the war touched those last two states.
Anyone who has seen the Ken Burns Civil War series will see the similarity to the amusing anecdotes related by Shelby Foote in that series. If you enjoyed his contributions to that show and have any level of interest in the American Civil War, you will enjoy this great book!

although I could have hoped for a better voice for the reading, it is still a outstanding listen it will keep you, listening for hours.

Excellent narrative on a complex topic, flows nicely. Constant mix of interesting side stories about the lives and interactions of people involved in the different battles of the many armies and navys fighting throughout the south and midwest. Many of the battles presented with much excitement and ausome details.

The author has succeeded at presenting a very balanced account of the peoples and governments views and opinions, politics and moods of both the Union and Confederate countries and how all were affected.

Nothing else in the history of the USA has done more to forge this country into what it is today... this is a very moving account of why, covered in three volumes.

Shelby Foote's trilogy comprises 132.5 hours on Audible and took me most of 5 months of short errands and a couple of long drives in my car to listen to in its entirety. It was fascinating. At first the narrator's voice and quirks annoyed me, but by the fifth or sixth hour I had adapted to his voice and found it well suited to the narrative. The battle of Gettysburg takes up a large portion of this volume, as it should. I found maps online and in the physical copies of this book so that I could better follow the action of this battle. I was moved by sorrow at many points and kept thinking of all the futile charges resulting in death for so many. Both sides believed so strongly in their cause, and both suffered greatly as a result. Foote quotes from letters, diaries, speeches, and personal reminiscences written after the war to paint a vivid picture of the generals and ordinary soldiers who fought these battles and slogged through these long, muddy marches with little food and often no shoes. The devastation of the countryside is hard to imagine as I drive, hike and bicycle through many of the peaceful eastern battlefields today. Foote has allowed me to understand what these places and the people of a different, not so distant time experienced and why. Listening to this long audiobook is a huge investment but so well worth it.

This book is great! Superb narration by Grover Gardner. The details by Shelby Foote are amazing. Was interested mostly in Gettysburg Battles as we had visited the area.

Being a Civil War history buff, I love the way Mr. Foote works in all the anecdotes of military and civilian life throughout the telling of the story. The extra details about a person's habits as well as what was happening in other theatres of the war at the same time tie the story of the war together in a way that I have not seen before. The story surrounding the loss of Stonewall Jackson, as well as J.E.B. Stuart's problematic quest for glory and how those two missing commanders allowed Lee to blunder into the Federals at Gettyburg (in a fight over some shoes!) is so well told that I have listened to it a number of times. Highly recommended!

you will not get any better description of the war and what was arround it. strongly recomended, though technicaly speaking narating is not perfect (but nighther the war...)