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The Civil War: A Narrative: Volume 3: Red River to Appomattox (1974)

by Shelby Foote

Other authors: See the other authors section.

Series: The Civil War: A Narrative (Original publication, Vol. 3)

MembersReviewsPopularityAverage ratingMentions
1,852159,020 (4.56)27
Foote's comprehensive history of the Civil War includes three compelling volumes: Fort Sumter to Perryville, Fredericksburg to Meridian, and Red River to Appomattox. Here, for a certainty, is one of the great historical narratives of our century, a unique and brilliant achievement, one that must be firmly placed in the ranks of the masters. Anyone who wants to relive the Civil War will go through this volume with pleasure. Years from now, Foote's monumental narrative most likely will continue to be read and remembered as a classic of its kind.… (more)
  1. 00
    The Civil War Dictionary by Mark Boatner (wildbill)
    wildbill: excellent reference work
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» See also 27 mentions

Showing 1-5 of 16 (next | show all)
Much of what I have to say was in my review for Vol. 2 finished earlier this year. Here is the review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2876793232?book_show_action=false&from...

Wow. Two of the volumes in one year. Can I finish my challenge of 60 books this year? I have no idea. I don't regret reading this volume. The series by Foote goes into my favorites list of books read for my life. I can't begin to tell you how wonderful a series it is. Was I overwhelmed by the length at times? Yes. I will definitely admit this was a major undertaking, but well worth it. Go t0 your local library, check out the book and read it. The library may have the audiobook on Overdrive (ours does). Each volume is around 50 hours long.

Enjoy reading about the five most important years in the history of the United States. This was the culmination of an issue that was at the foundation of the US, and it is still playing out in our modern lives 155 years later. ( )
  wvlibrarydude | Jan 17, 2024 |
Which American President created a system for slaves to be judged by a jury of all black jurors? Jefferson Davis

The U.S. Constitution provided for population counting to be 3/5ths of a person for slaves. How did the Confederate Constitution describe African-Americas, in contrast? Slaves.
  gmicksmith | Jan 5, 2023 |
Such a good book, but often spoiled by southern bias of a boring kind. Like I can't necessarily always even believe the narrative- can the south ALWAYS be smarter and braver than the north? also such hatred for the radical republicans- again... does not have the whiff of objectivity. ( )
  apende | Jul 12, 2022 |
There's not much to say about this volume that I didn't already say about the first two volumes. It's a classic work of narrative history written by a skilled novelist and a very thoughtful man. If you think you'd be interested, buy a copy now before Amazon forbids it.

What I thought I could do is list some miscellaneous things I've learned from the trilogy that I didn't previously know. Some of these will probably betray my singular ignorance, but there may be a few that would be news to others, as well.

1) Trench warfare wasn't just a thing in "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly"; it was a major part of most Civil War battles. In fact, Blue versus Gray were facing each other in trenches east of Richmond and Petersburg for almost a year near the end of the war.

2) I say "Gray", but lots of Confederate soldiers were dressed in butternut (a light brown).

3) A large segment of the Confederate army fought barefoot.

4) Through most of the war, the two sides had a system called "parole" in which armies would not retain their prisoners but would release them after they agreed that "for them the war was over" (as the Germans would say).

5) Generals did not lead a cushy life back then. About 1 in 8 were killed in action during the war.

6) Somehow during the time I lived in Atlanta I got the idea that, in the siege of that city, Union cannons lobbed shells from Kennesaw Mountain into the downtown area, almost 20 miles away. In actuality, cannons then had a range of about a mile--no more than 2 miles for the best--and the mountain's 800 feet of height couldn't have made that much difference.

7) This was the first war in which railroads were a major factor.

8) Tearing up railroad tracks was a major activity of the cavalry, but both sides became quite proficient at repairing them quickly.

9) Lee's surrender to Grant took place in a private home in a village called Appomattox Court House, *not* in a court house building. ( )
  cpg | Jul 11, 2021 |
A very well-researched narrative-style telling of the end of the Civil War. Foote tried to turn a series of mechanical battles into a story. Few details were left out; it is very thorough. However, the narrative seemed to try and excuse the actions of the South and its leaders during the war so it was not to my taste. ( )
  jguidry | Aug 23, 2020 |
Showing 1-5 of 16 (next | show all)
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» Add other authors

Author nameRoleType of authorWork?Status
Shelby Footeprimary authorall editionscalculated
Gardner, GroverNarratorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
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Epigraph
ALL THESE WERE HONOURED IN THEIR GENERATIONS
AND WERE THE GLORY OF THEIR TIMES

THERE BE OF THEM
THAT HAVE LEFT A NAME BEHIND THEM
THAT THEIR PRAISES MIGHT BE REPORTED

AND SOME THERE BE WHICH HAVE NO MEMORIAL
WHO ARE PERISHED AS THOUGH THEY HAD NEVER BEEN
AND ARE BECOME AS THOUGH THEY HAD NEVER BEEN BORN
AND THEIR CHILDREN AFTER THEM

BUT THESE WERE MERCIFUL MEN
WHOSE RIGHTEOUSNESS HATH NOT BEEN FORGOTTEN

WITH THEIR SEED SHALL CONTINUALLY REMAIN
A GOOD INHERITANCE
AND THEIR CHILDREN ARE WITHIN THE COVENANT

THEIR SEED STANDETH FAST
AND THEIR CHILDREN FOR THEIR SAKES

THEIR SEED SHALL REMAIN FOR EVER
AND THEIR GLORY SHALL NOT BE BLOTTED OUT

THEIR BODIES ARE BURIED IN PEACE
BUT THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE
Ecclesiasticus xliv
Dedication
First words
Late afternoon of a raw, gusty day in early spring - March 8, a Tuesday, 1864 - the desk clerk at Willard's Hotel, two blocks down Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House, glanced up to find an officer accompanied by a boy of thirteen facing him across the polished oak of the registration counter and inquiring whether he could get a room.
Quotations
In Sherman's words, they had cut "a swath of desolation fifty miles broad across the State of Mississippi which the present generation will not forget." In such work they used sledges and crowbars more than rifles, and though it involved much vigorous exercise, it was not only a fine way of relaxing from the rigors of the Vicksburg siege, it was also a good deal safer, since their efforts were mainly directed against civilians.
Sherman, left marking time, had to be content with wrecking what he held. "Meridian, with its depots, storehouses, arsenals, hospitals, offices, hotels, and cantonments, no longer exists," he reported.
As for the troops who served the gray commander, wretchedly fed and clad though they were, Lyman considered them anything but shaky. "These rebels are not half starved," he added. "A more sinewy, tawny, formidable-looking set of men could not be. In education they are certainly inferior to our native-born people, but they are usually very quick-witted, and they know enough to handle weapons with terrible effect. Their great characteristic is their stoical manliness. They never beg or whimper or complain, but look you straight in the face with as little animosity as if they had never heard a gun fired."
[Sherman] stayed his hand, not so much from lack of moral courage as from mistrust of his own impulsive nature, which he only gave free rein in times of relaxation, while writing letters, say, or dealing with civilians, and almost never when men's lives were at stake.
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(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)
Disambiguation notice
THE CIVIL WAR : A NARRATIVE has been published in 3 volumes, but has also been subdivided differently to be published in 9 volumes and even 14 volumes. Consequently, there are different works numbered "volume 3". This volume 3 - RED RIVER TO APPOMATTOX - is for the series as subdivided into 3 volumes.
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Foote's comprehensive history of the Civil War includes three compelling volumes: Fort Sumter to Perryville, Fredericksburg to Meridian, and Red River to Appomattox. Here, for a certainty, is one of the great historical narratives of our century, a unique and brilliant achievement, one that must be firmly placed in the ranks of the masters. Anyone who wants to relive the Civil War will go through this volume with pleasure. Years from now, Foote's monumental narrative most likely will continue to be read and remembered as a classic of its kind.

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