Poll

Just to help out those folks who may be confused by the large number of books which have been recommended by the group members. We have identified those titles which have won the highest literary awards and praise from the public. Hope this helps.

There are three Pulitzer Prize winners among these titles:

History of the Civil War, 1861-1865
by James Ford Rhodes

It won the Pulizer Prize in 1918.

Synopsis:

Awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1917, this volume is widely regarded as the first unbiased history of the Civil War and one of the best single-volume studies. It is remarkable for its scholarly research, objectivity, and engrossing narrative style. "Well worthy of the welcome." — American Historical Review. Index. Notes. 2 maps. New introduction.

by James Ford Rhodes

Reveille in Washington: 1860-1865
by Margaret Leech, James M. McPherson (Introduction)

This book won the Pulitzer Prize in 1942.

Synopsis:

1860: The American capital is sprawling, fractured, squalid, colored by patriotism and treason, and deeply divided along the political lines that will soon embroil the nation in bloody conflict. Chaotic and corrupt, the young city is populated by bellicose congressmen, Confederate
conspirators, and enterprising prostitutes. Soldiers of a volunteer army swing from the dome of the Capitol, assassins stalk the avenues, and Abraham Lincoln struggles to justify his presidency as the Union heads to war.

Reveille in Washington focuses on the everyday politics and preoccupations of Washington during the Civil War. From the stench of corpse-littered streets to the plunging lace on Mary Lincoln’s evening gowns, Margaret Leech illuminates the city and its familiar figures—among them Abraham Lincoln, Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee, William Seward, and Mary Surratt—in intimate and fascinating detail.

Leech’s book remains widely recognized as both an impressive feat of scholarship and an uncommonly engrossing work of history

by Margaret Leech

Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era by James M. McPherson won the Pulitzer Prize for History (1989) and the National Book Critics' Circle Award Nominee (1988)

Synopsis:

Published in 1988 to universal acclaim, this single-volume treatment of the Civil War quickly became recognized as the new standard in its field. James M. McPherson, who won the Pulitzer Prize for this book, impressively combines a brisk writing style with an admirable thoroughness. He covers the military aspects of the war in all of the necessary detail, and also provides a helpful framework describing the complex economic, political, and social forces behind the conflict. Perhaps more than any other book, this one belongs on the bookshelf of every Civil War buff.

by James M. McPherson

Team of Rivals is also an award winner. It won the National Book Critics' Circle Award (2005) and the Lincoln Prize (2006)

Synopsis:

Acclaimed historian Doris Kearns Goodwin illuminates Lincoln's political genius in this highly original work, as the one-term congressman and prairie lawyer rises from obscurity to prevail over three gifted rivals of national reputation to become president.
On May 18, 1860, William H. Seward, Salmon P. Chase, Edward Bates, and Abraham Lincoln waited in their hometowns for the results from the Republican National Convention in Chicago. When Lincoln emerged as the victor, his rivals were dismayed and angry.

Throughout the turbulent 1850s, each had energetically sought the presidency as the conflict over slavery was leading inexorably to secession and civil war. That Lincoln succeeded, Goodwin demonstrates, was the result of a character that had been forged by experiences that raised him above his more privileged and accomplished rivals. He won because he possessed an extraordinary ability to put himself in the place of other men, to experience what they were feeling, to understand their motives and desires.

It was this capacity that enabled Lincoln as president to bring his disgruntled opponents together, create the most unusual cabinet in history, and marshal their talents to the task of preserving the Union and winning the war.

We view the long, horrifying struggle from the vantage of the White House as Lincoln copes with incompetent generals, hostile congressmen, and his raucous cabinet. He overcomes these obstacles by winning the respect of his former competitors, and in the case of Seward, finds a loyal and crucial friend to see him through.

This brilliant multiple biography is centered on Lincoln's mastery of men and how it shaped the most significant presidency in the nation's history.

by Doris Kearns Goodwin

New York Times Book Review has called Landscape Turned Red: The Battle of Antietam - "the best account of the Battle of Antietam."

by Stephen W. Sears

Synopsis:

Combining brilliant military analysis with rich narrative history, Landscape Turned Red is the definitive work on the Battle of Antietam.

The Civil War battle waged on September 17, 1862, at Antietam Creek, Maryland, was one of the bloodiest in the nation's history: on this single day, the war claimed nearly 23,000 casualties. Here renowned historian Stephen Sears draws on a remarkable cache of diaries, dispatches, and letters to recreate the vivid drama of Antietam as experienced not only by its leaders but also by its soldiers, both Union and Confederate, to produce what the New York Times Book Review has called "the best account of the Battle of Antietam."

I know nothing on the American civil war so any book for me would be good. I don't have time to read everything I have to read whats in my list because its so extensive and i have school so do I really need to vote?

Yes, I understand Krystal but as part of our guidelines we always ask that everybody votes; it only takes a second and then we know that we are putting together a prioritized list which reflects everybody's tastes.

You might be voting for a book that you might like to read in the future. So just make an educated guess. This is never a commitment to read the book or sign up for the book discussion. A separate invite goes out and then you can say yes, no, maybe. There is no commitment here when you vote.

I'm also not familiar with the American Civil War, but upon reading the titles, then descriptions I realised that there is a wide variety of 'areas of interest' within that turbulent time in the U.S. Now I'm intrigued.

D, yes there are a number of books which would be fascinating reads leading to some great discussions. And especially for those folks who are not well versed in the American Civil War, there are a number of books which would make for interesting reading and you pick up so much along the way. And for those Civil War buffs, there has to be a book or two that they might have missed or would want to read. Many of the books have different angles where they focus on specific people, leaders, generals, places...so there really is something for everybody.

Bloody Bill Anderson: The Short, Savage Life of a Civil War Guerrilla and The Devil Knows How To Ride are both TERRIFIC books. I have them both.

The Bill Anderson book is quite short. I'm estimating maybe 180 to 200 pages. It's great, but just be aware it's not very long.

I loved both of those books, though. I think I have reviews for both of them on here, actually.

Battle Cry of Freedom is not only one of the best Civil War books of all time, but one of the best books of all time too. If you ever read one book on the Civil War, read Battle Cry of Freedom! Also, Last Full Measure is an incredible read. Not sure why that one is not on here...

Doug wrote: "Bloody Bill Anderson: The Short, Savage Life of a Civil War Guerrilla and The Devil Knows How To Ride are both TERRIFIC books. I have them both.

The Bill Anderson bo..."

Thanks Doug...don't forget the citations. You have to add them here too (smile). Bookcover, author's photo and author's link. But I am surprised that you voted for one of these when you have read them already. Bloody Bill (being so short) might not lend itself to a three month read (smile))...I have added the goodreads synopsis for both of these that you commented upon as well as adding the citations.

by Albert E. Castel

Synopsis:

Nowhere was the Civil War as savage as it was in Missouri-and nowhere did it produce a killer more savage than William Anderson. For a brief but dramatic period, "Bloody Bill" played the leading role in the most violent arena of the entire war-and did so with a vicious abandon that spread fear throughout the land.

A name associated with William Quantrill and Jesse James, Bloody Bill Anderson was known for never taking prisoners. A former horse thief turned bushwhacker, he became the scourge of Kansas and Missouri with a reputation for unspeakable atrocities. Sometimes he left the bodies of dead Federal soldiers scalped, skinned, and castrated. Sometimes he decapitated them and rearranged their heads. Wherever Bloody Bill rode, the Grim Reaper rode alongside.

In telling this story of bitter bloodshed, historians Castel and Goodrich track Bloody Bill's reign of terror over increasingly violent raids. He rode with Quantrill in the infamous sack of Lawrence and killed more victims than any other raider. Then he led the brutal Centralia Massacre, a blood-soaked nightmare recounted here hour-by-hour from firsthand accounts.

More than compiling a chronicle of horrors, Castel and Goodrich have produced the first full-fledged account of Anderson's career. They examine his prewar life, explain how he became a guerrilla, then describe the war that he and his men waged against Union soldiers and defenseless civilians alike. The authors' disagreements on many aspects of Anderson's gruesome career add a fascinating dimension to the book.

Only 26 when he was killed charging an ambush, Bloody Bill Anderson had already become a legend. This book takes readers behind the legend and provides a closer look at the man-and at the face of terror.

by Edward E. Leslie

Synopsis:

Brilliantly weaving together eyewitness accounts, letters, memories, newspaper articles, and military reports into a riveting narrative, this definitive biography reveals the personality of William Clarke Quantrill (1837–1865) and the events that transformed a quiet Ohio schoolteacher from a staunchly Unionist family into a virulent pro-slavery Confederate soldier and the most feared and despised guerrilla chieftain of the Civil War. This groundbreaking work includes the most accurate account ever written of the 1863 Lawrence, Kansas massacre (the greatest atrocity of the Civil War), when Quantrill and 450 raiders torched the Unionist town and executed roughly 200 unarmed, unresisting men and teenage boys. It also details the postwar outlaw careers of those who rode with him—Frank and Jesse James, and Cole Younger. No other history so fully penetrates the myth of a cardboard-cutout psychopath to expose Quantrill in all his brutality and human complexity.

Did I miss it but I see no books by Gordon Rhea.

David wrote: "Battle Cry of Freedom is not only one of the best Civil War books of all time, but one of the best books of all time too. If you ever read one book on the Civil War, read Battle Cry of Freedom! Als..."

Hello David,

Do not forget to follow our citation rules; it makes it easier for group members to research books and authors you are mentioning. You must add the book cover, author's photo when available and always the author's link.

Here are the citations for the books you mentioned:

by James M. McPherson

The above is a Pulitzer Prize winning book. See message one for more details.

Then of course,

by Jeff Shaara

Synopsis:

In the Pulitzer prize-winning classic The Killer Angels, Michael Shaara created the finest Civil War novel of our time, an enduring bestseller that has sold more than two million copies. In the bestselling Gods and Generals, Shaara's son, Jeff, brilliantly sustained his father's vision, telling the epic story of the events culminating in the Battle of Gettysburg. Now, Jeff Shaara brings this legendary father-son trilogy to its stunning conclusion in a novel that brings to life the final two years of the Civil War.

As The Last Full Measure opens, Gettysburg is past and the war advances to its third brutal year. On the Union side, the gulf between the politicians in Washington and the generals in the field yawns ever wider. Never has the cumbersome Union Army so desperately needed a decisive, hard-nosed leader. It is at this critical moment that Lincoln places Ulysses S. Grant in command--and turns the tide of war.

For Robert E. Lee, Gettysburg was an unspeakable disaster--compounded by the shattering loss of the fiery Stonewall Jackson two months before. Lee knows better than anyone that the South cannot survive a war of attrition. But with the total devotion of his generals--Longstreet, Hill, Stuart--and his unswerving faith in God, Lee is determined to fight to the bitter end.

Here too is Joshua Chamberlain, the college professor who emerged as the Union hero of Gettysburg--and who will rise to become one of the greatest figures of the Civil War.

Battle by staggering battle, Shaara dramatizes the escalating confrontation between Lee and Grant--complicated, heroic, deeply troubled men. From the costly Battle of the Wilderness to the agonizing siege of Petersburg to Lee's epoch-making surrender at Appomattox, Shaara portrays the riveting conclusion of the Civil War through the minds and hearts of the individuals who gave their last full measure.

Full of human passion and the spellbinding truth of history, The Last Full Measure is the fitting capstone to a magnificent literary trilogy.

Note to David - I added it to the poll.

Clayton wrote: "Did I miss it but I see no books by Gordon Rhea."

If you have some books that you think you would like to add, please cite them according to our guidelines here and I will look them up.

Make sure to add the book cover, the author's photo (if available) and always the author's link.

Include what genre they are - non fiction, historical fiction, historical novel.

At the very least in your post, you should have added the author information which would always be the author's photo if available and always the author's link.

In the case of your cited author, hard to believe but he is not on goodreads.

http://www.civilwar.org/video/cold-ha...

Note: One of the reasons that we ask for the citations is that it makes it easy to find on goodreads, etc. After much searching, I discovered that the goodreads software insists that you add the middle initial C. to the author's name.

Gordon C. Rhea

Note: I added the first book in the five book set.

So far, thanks to Simon, Debye, Emily, Jill, Tom, Alisa, Becky, Kimberly, Bill, and Kathy F for voting.

Thanks to Kevin, Terri, Barry, Zach, mcvouty, Mark, Lars, Gerald, Ilene and Maphead for voting.

Thanks to Catelyn, Sandhillsands, Angelo, Wilson, Tamara, Autumn, Russell, Jesse, A.J.K., Doug, Matt, Tim, Jeffrey, Gabriel and Bob for voting.

Thanks to Alessandra, Phillip, Erica, D, Mary, S. Kevin, Nancy, Steven, Christopher, and Craig for voting.

Thanks to Avis, David, Tacman, Frank, Kathy, Suzy, Will, Anne, Steven, and Lance for voting.

Thanks to Sridatta, Matthew, Robert, John, Hubert, Clayton, Lynette, John, Cleo, Patricrk, Vince and Lynne for voting.

After having read over a thousand books on the American Civil war the Battle Cry of Freedom sounds as a very dull choice to read. The book is an overall history and for one it is good but I've never recommended it as a must read to anyone.

I would like to propose one other book, which if you ask me, is the best Civil War book around. by Rod Gragg. Now, here's a good read which catches the 'feeling' of the period. Tells a good and interesting story, and isn't a read of many months like Battlecry.

Cheers,
SM

Thank you Singleton, whatever book is voted for by the group members with the highest number of votes will be the one that is read. Some folks would like to read an overall history and this read is normally a three month read just like the Presidential Series.

The thread for submissions for upcoming reads has been open for a year so it amazes me that there are so many other books being brought to our attention at the end while folks are voting. This is almost as if folks who did vote in the primary want to place their names on the ballot for the final election. I will add your book but be advised that usually these late comers do not get many votes.

The book you cited only really deals with the Battle of Gettysburg and not much else. Killer Angels which the group read also dealt with that battle.

Also, thank you for the citation, it makes it easier for me to add a book and is not optional for our group. It is a rule here. However, the other book was not properly cited and remember even though a book is mentioned elsewhere it must be cited properly.

by James M. McPherson

by Michael Shaara

Also, remember there are 38 books already nominated by group members being voted on and quite a few are huge award winners including Battle Cry. Just remember that we cannot have a poll of over a thousand books and the books that were nominated have plenty to be interested in. Your book has been added but there are many other books which will more than likely have many more votes.

Also, make sure to vote.

Folks, one of our rules is that folks vote (it takes a second) and do citations properly. Remember whenever an author is mentioned or a book, the citation rule is in effect even if it has been mentioned before.

Here are the guidelines;

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/5...

For those of you who have already voted, thank you.

Just as an FYI: Singleton, Clayton, David and Doug...all of your suggestions are either on the poll already and/or have been added.

And all of you have voted aside from Singleton. Just as an FYI, don't forget to vote if you haven't already.

no john keegan?

Oops, sorry guys! I just joined Goodreads not too long ago and that was one of my first posts. I did not know about the rule on including the book cover and proper citations. I will definitely do that from now on! Thanks for letting me know.

Heinric, as Bentley says, don't forget to cite the author for Goodreads. Great author:

John Keegan

Thanks for the votes everyone, great stuff here and a wide variety of topics and approaches.

This is getting real interesting; am already involved in 3 books, Les Miz is coming soon, and the Civil War would make 5; good thing I'm retiring soon.

Heinric wrote: "no john keegan?"

We have already done a spotlighted read authored by John Keegan.

John Keegan

Without a specific book in mind properly cited; I would not know what to add.

Virginia wrote: "This is getting real interesting; am already involved in 3 books, Les Miz is coming soon, and the Civil War would make 5; good thing I'm retiring soon."

Folks, maintain the citation rules here. Virginia are you talking about Tale of Two Cities? Must cite books and authors.

by Charles Dickens

I recently read this by Amanda Foreman so heartily recommend it...

...meaning I have to choose something else. Oh so many books :)

Yes, Geevee - I saw your review of the book - it sounds terrific. But I would choose something else that you are interested in to move up its standing unless you want another go around with the same book which I doubt. But for others who have not read it; it is always good to hear that it was a terrific book.

Too many choices actually; but I did not want to leave anybody out who had nominated a book.

I'm going to shamelessly and openly electioneer that many of you are voting for a certain book because it won awards, when in fact you're voting for an outstandingly boring book, and in fact someday, you'd much rather you had voted for by Shelby Foote

So hate me if you want, but you just might be thankful someday...like February.

Will, Shelby Foote was a treasure when it came to the Civil War; and nobody can dispute his work. However, if Foote did win; we would only be doing Volume One this time but I agree with your assessment of Foote.

I did not think that either of the two front runners are boring books; although maybe you might feel differently. And there is nothing wrong with expressing your own personal views on these books. He is a treasure who for most of his life did not get the recognition he should have received. And the edition we chose is probably a more abridged version of his work which is in one paperback although it is also around a thousand pages.

And we do not hate you (smile).

Bentley

by Shelby Foote

by Shelby Foote

I must have been in another world; I did mean:

Charles Dickens

Sorry I forgot the citation. (Book photo came out kinda dark.)

No problem Virginia, we all do that now and again.

Bentley, you have proven once again, and many times over, both a scholar and a gentleperson.

Thank you for the kind words Will (lol).

Well, I was being unfair (on purpose) to advance a specific book at the cost of the others, and you did a great job of just calling me on it without actually smacking me down. I've moderated so many things that I know excellent moderation when I see it.

And to be honest, I don't know that the currently winning book is boring at all, although somebody earlier said so, and I heard that the ghost of Lincoln told a gypsy in a seance that he'd be personally sad if we didn't read the Foote series, and I'll give you a dollar....but I would probably get into a fight with a broken bottle to advance the cause of the amazing writing of Foote. Which, by the way, makes two literary causes I would or have actually physically confronted people...the other being that John Ciardi is the only valid translator of by Dante Alighieri Everybody has a hot button I guess, and I don't care who marries whom, but damn if you don't see Foote and Ciardi are the best!

Thank you Will and may the best book win (or the one the most folks want (smile). I agree that one person gave it a good; but it did win the Pulitzer for some reason which I guess since it is so wildly ahead - we may just find out (smile).

Everybody has their faves - and you can always read yours as a buddy read when you are ready.

I do think that the book that is ahead right now (will not even whisper the title) looks so far ahead that it will not be overtaken from what I can see. But who knows...there are many more folks who have not voted yet so it is still anybody's guess with three more days to vote.

All best,

Bentley

Two more days to vote folks. If you have not voted, voting is a requirement at the HBC. The polls are for you so that you can vote for the book or books which interest you or would interest others. It helps make the group more reflective of everybody's tastes. Don't be left out in the cold, make sure to vote.

Folks, time is drawing near for this poll to end; in fact today. So if you can still vote, please do.

Thanks to the following voters who help the group by voting which assists the group in selecting the right books at the right time for our members.

So far, thanks to Simon, Debye, Emily, Jill, Tom, Alisa, Becky, Kimberly, Bill, and Kathy F for voting.

Thanks to Kevin, Terri, Barry, Zach, mcvouty, Mark, Lars, Gerald, Ilene and Maphead for voting.

Thanks to Catelyn, Sandhillsands, Angelo, Wilson, Tamara, Autumn, Russell, Jesse, A.J.K., Doug, Matt, Tim, Jeffrey, Gabriel and Bob for voting.

Thanks to Alessandra, Phillip, Erica, D, Mary, S. Kevin, Nancy, Steven, Christopher, and Craig for voting.

Thanks to Avis, David, Tacman, Frank, Kathy, Suzy, Will, Anne, Steven, and Lance for voting.

Thanks to Sridatta, Matthew, Robert, John, Hubert, Clayton, Lynette, John, Cleo, Patricrk, Vince and Lynne for voting.

Thanks also to Jason, Paul, Orangutan, Jeannepw, Gail, Tom, Rodney, Gian, David, Bea, Monique, Morgiana, Elizabeth S, another Paul, Heather, Veronika, Greg, Christina, Singleton, Brian, Janis, Linda, Randi, Scott, Catherine Elizabeth, John, Ebony, Angie, FrankH, Kevin, keres, Jeff, Laura, Amy, Chris, Phylwil, Peter, Chantal, Will, Judy

Thank you for taking the time to put this poll together! =) It must have taken forever. I will silently vote for Battle Cry of Freedom because I was going to read that next in my list of Civil War books, and I am too late for the poll . I already read Tried By War by the same author.

Bentley, How long do we have to read this work? I'm new to this, so I don't know what to expect.

Suburbanrockdoll wrote: "Bentley, How long do we have to read this work? I'm new to this, so I don't know what to expect."

You are in luck since it is our winner. We complete the book at the end of July, so 5 months. We also keep the threads open for a little while after that for those who need to catch up.

Bryan wrote: "Suburbanrockdoll wrote: "Bentley, How long do we have to read this work? I'm new to this, so I don't know what to expect."

You are in luck since it is our winner. We complete the book at the end ..."

Thank you, Bryan! Is someone going to post discussions also, or is that done randomly?

Yes, I'm leading the book discussion, and everyone is welcome to post as long as it refers to the assigned chapter(s) for the week. You can look at the schedule here:

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/7...