Reading - February 2024

I've been reading through Battle Cry of Freedom by James McPherson. It's a very long single volume work on the Civil War. So far, I'm still working through the part of the book discussing the build-up to the Civil War, discussing much of the political and social conflicts surrounding the build-up. It discusses much of the issues surrounding slavery, such as the wide variations in people wanting to either keep or abolish slavery. Also discussed are multiple elections, the dissolution of the Whig party, emergence of the Republican party, the Democratic party, and other political parties in existence at the time, such as the Free Soil and American.
While I'm far from finishing the book, I do find it an interesting read so far.

I’m no expert but I think McPherson is one of the best general works on the Civil War. I have two to three months worth of reading on Alexander the Great piled up (Arrian, Tarn, Green, and Fox).

I agree that it is the best single volume works on the ACW. I think it shines best though, in the first half. Still, it is the yardstick I judge other single volumes against and hasn't really been surpassed IMO.

It definitely seems like a solid read. From what I can tell, it seems well researched and presented.
Been a while since I've read something on Alexander the Great. Do you have any thoughts on the books so far?

I'm impressed with how comprehensive and well-written the book is. I'm guessing the second half of the book is still solid?

Right now I’m making my way through the Loeb edition of Arrian. Probably look at Tarn first when I get to the secondary literature. Although old, my understanding is it’s still worth a read. Revisited The Greek and Macedonian Art of War which is a useful short introduction.

>8 March-Hare: Sounds like some interesting reads.

About ready to move on to Tarn. Have these on the to read pile. Alexander the Great: Volume 1, Narrative, Alexander the Great: Volume 2, Sources and Studie, Hellenistic Military and Naval Developments, and The Greeks in Bactria and India. Apologies for the dropped S. Touchstone quirkiness.