Civil War Interactive has completed a survey and updated their list of the Top 50 Civil War Books of All-Time.
It's a great reference if your reading stack is getting low. It certainly reminds me that I need to get back to mine.
Check it out. What do you think of the top ten?
http://civilwarinteractive.com/Top50Results2008v1.htm
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(7) Co. Aytch - Sam R.
(7) Co. Aytch - Sam R. Watkins
A good read, but I found “Berry Benson’s Civil War Book” edited by Susan Williams Benson and “Rebel Private, Front and Rear” by William A. Fletcher far more enjoyable and illustrative reads as first hand accounts of the war.
I wonder if this ranking is based off sales? Co. Aytch was released as a new edition late last year with new information and other updates – so fans would be buying up the latest and greatest.
(28) -The Life of Johnny Reb: The Common Soldier of the Confederacy - Bell Irvin Wiley
Very good, often forgotten reference for reenactors/living historians.
(39) - Hardtack & Coffee - John D. Billings
Surprised it didn’t rank higher myself…
I want to throw a vote out for “Shock Troops of the Confederacy” by Fred L. Ray and “Red Clay to Richmond” by John J. Fox, III. Two thumbs up!
Marc Averill
29thGA
Survey of respondants?
Hey Marc,
According to the website it says, "We want to thank the hundreds of readers who took the time to help us with this."
http://civilwarinteractive.com/50BestBooks.htm
So I think that means an unscientific survey of those who responded. Not really sure though.
I agree, I'd like to see "Hard Tack and Coffee" a bit higher. I'll have to add the two books you mentioned to my impossible to finish list of books I want to read someday. :)
--
Michael Johnson
Initial thought
My initial thought was "oh brother, they have "Killer Angels" in here, but then thinking about it, it was no worse than "Red Badge of Courage". There are a lot of readings that came out in the past decade. I tend to stay with books from the people who were there but most lack in details simply because they didn't want to write about the routines of mundane life that every one lived through in those days. It was not something they could imagine would be lost or forgotten. "Company Aytch'' for had excellent examples of local customs.
I am coming back to the age of reading again. On the whole I will stick with the older traditional writers, Catton(who is very unappreciated these days), Freeman, Cozzins, Cottington, Foote and such. (lol With the exception of Freeman, all writer of my generation.) I still have about 100 books from people who were in the war to read as well. There may still be some good recent books that I'll dwell into from time to time.
I'll often thought of creating a Civil War Library and repository. Just couldn't make a living with it with the amount work involved. Maybe in a few more years after retirement. lol
Will