Books in Civil War Series series

"The Shades of the Wilderness" is the seventh book of the Civil War Series by Joseph A. Altsheler. Picking up where "The Star of Gettysburg" left off, this story continues the Civil War experiences of Harry Kenton and his friends in the Southern army, from the retreat after Gettysburg, to Richmond, and then through the battles of the Wilderness and Spottsylvania, to Robert E. Lee's heroic stand during the siege of Petersburg. Other books in the Civil War series are: "The Guns of Bull Run," "The Guns of Shiloh," "The Scouts of Stonewall," "The Sword of Antietam", "The Star of Gettysburg", "The Rock of Chickamauga", and "The Tree of Appomattox."

"Army Life in a Black Regiment has some claim to be the best written narrative to come from the Union [side] during the Civil War. Higginson's picture of the battle which was the origin of "praise the Lord and pass the ammunition" and his reading of the Emancipation Proclamation to the black regiment are unsurpassed for eloquence." — historian Henry Steele CommagerOriginally a series of essays, this important volume was written by a Union colonel from New England, in charge of African-American troops training on the Sea Islands off the coast of the Carolinas. A lively and detailed wartime diary, the book offers a refreshing portrait of life in the Union Army from an officer's point of view, recording opinions of other commanders and capturing the raw humor that develops among the men in combat. Higginson's descriptions of the soldiers, routines of camp life, and southern landscapes are unforgettable, as is the account of his near escape from a cannon ball. An unusual historical document intended to introduce new generations of readers to an American past that should not be forgotten, Army Life in a Black Regiment will be invaluable to students of Black History and the American Civil War.

As preserver of the Union and emancipator of the slaves, Lincoln occupies a unique niche in the pantheon of American leaders. People from around the world admire his eloquence as a spokesman for democracy and fighter for the oppressed. In this landmark biography, published fifty years after Lincoln's death, an English author recounted for his countrymen the remarkable story of Lincoln's life. Lord Charnwood's comprehensive biography, among the first major books about the sixteenth president, presents a sensitive and literate portrait, tracing Lincoln's rise from humble origins to the highest office in the land and recapturing the profound humanity of his character. From the grinding poverty of his boyhood in the backwoods of Kentucky and Indiana and his early struggles as a prairie lawyer, the author charts Lincoln's elevation to the Illinois legislature, Congress, and the presidency, culminating in his role as commander in chief during the bloodiest struggles in American history. Beautifully written, this unabridged edition also offers profound historical insights into the factors contributing to the Civil War, including economic and political conditions, territorial expansion, foreign and domestic policies, and slavery. This splendid profile of an epic figure whose relevance endures and grows with the passage of time is essential reading for admirers of Lincoln, students and scholars of American history, and anyone who appreciates a well-written, engrossing biography.

The fourth volume in the Civil War series, by Joseph A. Altsheler,"The Sword of Antietam" tells a complete story, but it is one in the chain of Civil War romances, begun in "The Guns of Bull Run" and continued through "The Guns of Shiloh" and "The Scouts of Stonewall." The young Northern hero, Dick Mason, and his friends are in the forefront of the tale.

WHAT Was the Civil War All About, Anyway? The first-shots, nation-divided, winners, losers, blood, guts, glory, and not so glorious story of America's only Civil War! This book on basically "What Was the Civil War All About, Anyway?" takes a unique approach of exploring "what" in bite-size, digestible, entertaining pieces. Instead of the rote, pat answers usually given in books for children, this book actually offers a more practical, thorough, intense look at how Americans got into this mess, and lets students-GASP!-draw their own conclusion. The author, Carole Marsh, believes that kids have strong opinions about war, and are entitled to their own Monday morning quarterbacking as to what was good, bad, right, wrong, etc. regarding this war of brother against brother. This book includes a combination of funky, radical, text-based, non-fiction graphic novels awash in drama and commentary with speedy but thorough stories, all in first person, and often the words of an actual participant. This book is FUN TO READ. Civil War, fun-it can be done! Absolutely no "content warning" on these books, except BEWARE: You may not be able to put it down, kid! Click to view four sample pages. Click to view a book review.Lexile Measure: 800On Monday, February 7, 2011, award-winning author and Gallopade CEO Carole Marsh spoke with Public Radio WABE's Steve Goss. They discussed this new 6-book series that is aimed at motivating elementary and middle school students to learn about the Civil War. to listen to the full interview.

"The Rock of Chickamauga," presenting a critical phase of the great struggle in the west, is the sixth volume in the series, dealing with the Civil War, of which its predecessors have been "The Guns of Bull Run," "The Guns of Shiloh," "The Scouts of Stonewall," "The Sword of Antietam" and "The Star of Gettysburg." Dick Mason who fights on the Northern side, is the hero of this romance, and his friends reappear also.

From the first fateful firing on Fort Sumter to the final quiet resolution at Appomattox Court House, the American Civil War was one of the bloodiest, most divisive conflicts any nation has ever endured. It decimated the young men of a generation, both North and South, tore families apart, destroyed cities, towns, and farms, and led America to profoundly question its own identity.Now this vast and destructive conflict can be studied and relived from a Northern vantage point through the authentic documents in this moving anthology. Compiled by noted Civil War historian Richard B. Harwell, the volume presents a wealth of materials whose writers were eyewitnesses, and often, participants in the war.Included here are selections from battle orders, soldiers' letters home, prison narratives, regimental histories, and addresses and orders by McClellan, Meade, and other generals; accounts of the activities of black soldiers; songs and humorous sketches; letters of Lincoln on national policy; magazine articles; hospital sketches of Louisa May Alcott, and much more.Together with Mr. Harwell's classic The Confederate Reader, this volume, enhanced with 12 historic illustrations, comprises perhaps the most authentic report on the War Between the States. It belongs in the library of every Civil War buff and student of American history.

“The Tree of Appomattox” concludes the series of connected romances dealing with the Civil War, begun in “The Guns of Bull Run,” and continued successively through “The Guns of Shiloh,” “The Scouts of Stonewall,” “The Sword of Antietam,” “The Star of Gettysburg,” “The Rock of Chickamauga” and “The Shades of the Wilderness” to the present volume. It has been completed at the expense of vast labor, and the author has striven at all times to be correct, wherever facts are involved. So far, at least, no historic detail has been challenged by critic or reader. More than half a century has passed since the Civil War’s close. Not many of the actors in it are left. It was one of the most tremendous upheavals in the life of any nation, and it was the greatest of all struggles, until the World War began, but scarcely any trace of partisan rancor or bitterness is left. So, it has become easier to write of it with a sense of fairness and detachment, and the lapse of time has made the perspective clear and sharp.

In this third book of Joseph Altsheler's Civil War series, Harry Kenton, a lieutenant in the Southern Army, is on scout patrol in the Shenandoah Valley. He has attracted the notice of the great General Stonewall Jackson after his regiment, the Invincibles of South Carolina, suffered great losses at the Battle of Bull Run. As the war continues, Harry meets each challenge that he faces with his close friends and fellow warriors.

The first volume in the Civil War series, following the adventures of Harry Kenton, who leaves his home in Kentucky. He travels through dangerous territory to South Carolina on a secret mission on the eve of the Civil War. (From Chapter 4) "They will not fire! They dare not!" cried Shepard in a tense, strained whisper. As the last word left his lips there was a heavy crash. A tongue of fire leaped from one of the batteries, followed by a gush of smoke, and a round shot whistled over the Star of the West. A tremendous shout came from the crowd, then it was silent, while that tongue of flame leaped a second time from the mouth of a cannon. Harry saw the water spring up, a spire of white foam, near the steamer, and a moment later a third shot clipped the water close by. He did not know whether the gunners were firing directly at the vessel or merely meant to warn her that she came nearer at her peril, but in any event, the effect was the same. South Carolina with her cannon was warning a foreign ship, the ship of an enemy, to keep away. The Star of the West slowed down and stopped. Then another shout, more tremendous than ever, a shout of triumph, came from the crowd, but Harry felt a chill strike to his heart. Young St. Clair, too, was silent and Harry saw a shadow on his face. He looked for Shepard, but he was gone and the boy had not heard him go. "It is all over," said St. Clair, with the certainty of prophecy. "The cannon have spoken and it is war.