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

De: Shelby Foote

Narrado por: Grover Gardner

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

OUTSTANDING! I'M PROUD TO BE A BLACK AMERICAN!!

As a black American who grew up in Washington, DC, I never had ANYTHING good to say about the Confederacy. Reading this series only proved my personal credo "Racism is born out of ignorance". Guess who was a hypocritical, ignorant racist? ME!!! I discovered that I knew about as much about the Civil War as I was taught in school about African-American and black Americans - NOTHING!!! Oh, we got a smidgen on George Washington Carver, Booker T. Washington and Frederick Douglass but only enough to fill a thimble. Although my family home was just 3 blocks from Fort Stevens where the Confederate army almost took Washington and where President Lincoln was almost killed by a Confederate army, we never learned the amazing story behind the fort which we used as a playground.

This series of books covers the Civil War from "A to Z". They are extremely well-researched, providing little-known information about this historical fight. I came away with a new respect for the South for fighting and dying for a cause in which they believed in totally. I learned that the Civil War wasn't about white people hating black people (although there were quite a few whites who held the ridiculous belief that we weren't even humans). The war between the North and South was more about the economic necessity for cheap labor to maintain America's dominance in agriculture which fueled Europe's dominance as an industrialist giant. And the proof was in the South's total destruction after the Emancipation Proclamation. Rich plantation owners were broke, busted and bankrupt. No cotton or sugar - no money.

I have a new-found respect for Jefferson Davis, Stonewall Jackson, and Robert E. Lee and the multitudes of Confederate soldiers who lost their lives fighting to maintain their way of life. Of course, as a descendant of slaves, I'm glad that the North prevailed. It's just unfortunate that the South couldn't see past their noses and let over 20,000 skilled black artisans (carpenters, blacksmiths, seamstresses, etc.) leave for the North instead of revamping the South by becoming the nations center of furniture makers, ironworks, and purveyors of clothes for the rich and poor. To compound the country's total lack of vision, the alleged Northern abolitionists lost out also because it gave these new black citizens jobs as cooks, maids, nannies - actually, let's just call "a spade a spade: "Mammies" - butlers, house boys, and manual laborers.

That said, Shelby Foote gives a well-rounded objective insight into a much misunderstood war that didn't really advance America's narrow-minded view of the people it brought to these shores in bondage and oppressed for more than a century after this horrible conflagration. But I thank him for helping me see the Confederacy from a different and enlightening perspective. I had lived in Atlanta, GA for 15 years when I read this book. My northern family and friends couldn't understand how I could stand the "racist South" with its "good ole boy" attitude. That is something I have never experienced in Georgia. I don't worry about the Confederate flag or the hero leaders of the Civil War which are carved in the side of Stone Mountain, like Mount Rushmore. In all my years there, I was never called a "nigger" not once. Yet, after moving to Phoenix, AZ, I was called "nigger" four times in my first six months here. Has this country learned nothing? I still consider myself a "Georgia Peach".

According to Shelby Foote's amazing account, the south has nothing to be ashamed of for fighting for what it believed was right at the time. Now if the whole country can learn from past mistakes and move forward as a COMPLETE country - white, black, brown, red, yellow or purple with pink polka dots - we will be ready as a nation to defend our shores from foreign threats. Reading this book is the first step in the right direction,

Shelby Foote is a genius

enjoy his decades of research, and ability to put you right there whether its the field generals, the soldiers tents, the battlefields, the White House, or the minds of Lincoln and Jefferson Davis.
This is a historical narrative worth its weight in gold. Print or Audible.

Good but can be improved

Shelby Foote writes an epic story that make each battle come alive. The history and understanding that he describes make this easy to understand. The disappointing aspect is that although the book is excellent, there is low level audio feedback throughout. The quality of the audio is suspect and do not total enjoyment.

Superb history of the Civil War

This series of books is one of the best on the subject. Shelby Foote is also one of the best authors on this subject. His ability to extrapolate on the how, why what and where of the current events of the time really make this an enjoyable listen. If you are a fan of history, then you will most surely be a fan of this series of books. The narration of the books is also well done in my opinion. This is a GREAT series of history lessons.

An in depth history of the start of the war.

Where does The Civil War rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is first audiobook I listened to in over 10 years & the first history book ever. Though I read the book in 1970's, I believe I will retain more of the narrative from having listened to the reading.

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

Its impossible to pick a most memorable moment from a war narrative that in printt is over 800 pages.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Grover Gardner?

Yes

Any additional comments?

I don't know if it was missed during production or just a fluke in my version, but every once in a while the authors voice would change dramatically for a few seconds. It was annoying.

Good Civil War Drama

This series by Foote is an excellent dramatization of historical facts and data presented through the eyes of those involved with the various battles and conflicts of the worst war in US history.

Detailed and interesting

It is hard to imagine how such a long listen can still be interesting but it is. I have all 3 volumes and I am amazed at how the level of detail coupled with the excellent reading has maintained my interest. One suggestion for the listener, the author presents the events of both sides of the conflict, so it would help to know who the major characters are and what side they are fighting for before listening.

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One of the greatest literary achievements of the 20th century. I first read this exhaustive masterpiece years ago in my twenties. It is just as good the second time.

Very Entertaining and Informative

Takes a bit of time to absorb the detail but I feel more informed on this part of our history. Highly recommend.

A fairly even account

Would you listen to The Civil War again? Why?

Maybe, but not too keen. I may listen to it as a lullaby.

What did you like best about this story?

The detailed narrative of battle scene and strategy.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Grover Gardner?

Yes, I have quite a few books narrated by him.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Not really

Any additional comments?

First of a three volume magnum opus, this book gives a fairly even handed account of the war from the perspective of both side, the first volume covers the first two years of the American civil war, the author seemed to have bought the Southern argument that the war was about State right, and not slavery, which I disagree. But otherwise, an exciting volume to read.