A Short History of the Civil War: Ordeal by Fire: Amazon.ca: Fletcher Pratt: Books

Product Description

Best one-volume history brings the events, figures, and battles of monumental conflict vividly to life. Absorbing details of military campaigns, battlefield strategies, and personalities revealed in an audacious style that carries readers breathlessly along from the day of Lincoln's inauguration to Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House.

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9 Reviews

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5.0 out of 5 stars (9 customer reviews)

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5.0 out of 5 stars This is the one to read!, Dec 18 2001

By	Clayton Nimtz "cnimtz" - See all my reviews

I have the new edition of this book, I bought it soon as I saw it sitting on a store shelf, despite already having 5 or 6 copies of the old pocketbook sized editions. I love this book. If you are going to read only one history of the civil war, make it this one. If you are going to spend the rest of your life reading histories of the civil war, start with this one.

It would take thousands of words to express the reasons I love this book. But somehow that wouldn't be appropriate. What I will say is this:

Bruce Canton could spend two pages discribing a muddy campaign, and you will come away knowing it was muddy and what a loggistical problem that was. Shelby Foote could spend a chapter on a muddy campaingn and you will come away knowing it was muddy and how much the troops complaigned about it and maybe a funny incident or two. Fletcher Pratt could spend a paragraph or two on that campaign, and when done you'll notice your leg's hurt. Why? Because you didn't want to get mud on your couch.

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5.0 out of 5 stars I won't disagree with all other reviewers..., Oct 10 2001

By	J. Verkuilen (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is, hands down, one of the best books on any topic I've ever read. Fletcher Pratt had a way with words that few equalled. But more important, he had a keen insight into the problem of getting us to understand the complexities of the events he discusses. After the fact, we often think that certain events were "inevitable" but Pratt does a wonderful job of showing us how contingent the Union victory was, even as late as Fall, 1864.

My favorite chapters are the early ones, where Pratt lays out the big picture of the war and discusses the lightning moves of diplomacy that kept Kentucky and Missouri in the Union and thereby gave the Union the strategic advantage. The Civil War was *the* time of decision for the USA--had things gone differently, our history and world history would have been very different. Pratt does a masterful job of bringing that to light.

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5.0 out of 5 stars A Short History of the Civil War, Jul 18 2000

By	Lloyd B. Kline (Pittsburgh, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This is my second reading of this book. It is still as griping as the first time. Fletcher Pratt wrote a beautiful, moving account of a most tragic era in US History.

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Most recent customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Still the standard.
Catton's, Foote's, Hansen's, and McPherson's books all have their virtues, and certainly should be read and admired, but this little gem by Pratt remains the yardstick against... Read more

Published on May 25 2000 by Joseph R. Nacy

5.0 out of 5 stars A Masterpiece of Concision
There have been several contenders for the title "Best Short History of the Civil War." For it's length, this one wins hands down. Read more

Published on Dec 17 1999 by Stephen M. St Onge

5.0 out of 5 stars Still the best one volume civil war history book.
This book was written by a master craftsman of words. This is not a book that a ten year old could easily read but any teenager who is willing to use a dictionary will find this... Read more

Published on Oct 17 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars best of the civil war
Fletcher Pratt was a master at holding your interest. His chapter headings had a flavor of their own. I have two original paper backs and I treasure them.

Published on Dec 29 1997