I cannot believe I finished! This Volume was even longer than the other two - over 1000 large pages of fairly small print. Not an easy read - yet, well worth it. This one basically covers the final squeeze of the dwindling Confederacy. From Grant's crossing of the Rapidan forcing Lee's retreat to the trenches around Petersburg and Richmond to Sherman's chasing and then virtually destroying Johnson, then Hood's Western army with the resulting destructive march through Georgia and the Carolina's. Also, sadly, Lincoln's assasination -- I was quite moved by this, although of course, I knew it had occurred -- I still felt the shock.

All was quite well-done as I've stated in my reviews of the first two novels. The reader, however, must be prepared for detail, close reading, and maps. Sometimes in this one, I felt that the maps were maybe a bit lacking - in previous Volumes it seemed I followed the action and strategy a bit easier. And the ending did rather drag on -- I got the feeling Foote just couldn't stand to let his magnum opus go.

Unforgettable, really. I need not read any more Civil War history now - I am sated . . .

"Some went even further in their gloom. A blood-stained diary, salvaged from the pocket of a dead man later picked up on the field, had this grisly final entry: 'June 3. Cold Harbor. I was killed.' " ( )

Just too many details for my taste. I know he's a great writer, but I just always felt bogged down by so much information. ( )

One of the very best narrative histories of the Civil War - very balanced view, heavy on biographical detail and personality. ( )

Of all of the books in this series, this--the third and final volume--is my favorite, for a number of reasons.

First, in this book the North wins. Finally, we see competent generals take the helm and lead the Federal army to victory--a victory it could have won at least two years earlier. I admire the generals and fighting men of the South as much as anybody, but as a patriotic American I am partial to the north.

Second, this book describes the actions which saw the participation of the 114th New York regiment--one of whose members was Orlando Barney Monroe, my great-great grandfather.

Finally, this book relates the story of the only battle of the American Civil War fought in Brazilian territory. It was a sea battle between Union and a Confederate ships, fought in the Baiha de Todos os Santos--the port of present day Salvador. In that instance, because the Union ship violated international law by firing on the Confederate vessel within neutral waters, Brazil briefly (for a space of a few minutes) entered the war on the Confederate side--firing on the American ship from a fort on the coast. It is tantalizing to think of what might have happened had the US not been able to smooth things over with the Brazilian government.

This has been an outstanding (if not long) series to read. The Civil War--in all it's glory and bloodiness--has come alive to me as I have read Shelby Foote's monumental narrative.

www.comingstobrazil.com