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Summary
Summary
An award-winning and highly recommended comprehensive reference set on the political, social, and military aspects of the American Civil War.
The Encyclopedia of the American Civil War is the most comprehensive reference set ever compiled on this pivotal confrontation. Its five oversized volumes, rich with illustrations, maps, and primary source documents, offer more than 1,600 authoritative entries that chart the war's strategic aims, analyze diplomatic and political maneuvering, describe key military actions, sketch important participants, assess developments in military science, and discuss the social and financial impact of the conflict.
Written by scholars, the essays are both authoritative and easily accessible to history buffs, students, and general readers. Brief entry bibliographies lead curious readers to the most reliable sources for further information.
Reviews (4)
School Library Journal Review
Gr 9 Up-In his foreword to this set, noted historian James M. McPherson characterizes this well-written encyclopedia as "the best" work of reference currently available on the Civil War. Many readers will concur. The editors and more than 250 distinguished contributors present some 1600 alphabetically arranged, concise articles on every aspect of the period, supplemented by informative battle maps and many of the most famous period black-and-white photographs in crisp, clear reproductions. Ranging from a few paragraphs to several pages, the entries create a comprehensive and compelling picture of the war. They include not only detailed discussions of the major and minor battles and military life in general, but also the war's effects on society, from government, politics, and technology to journalism, commerce, and home life. The first four volumes contain a wealth of cross-references, easing the way for research. The final volume offers a useful selection of critical primary- source documents, a chronology of the war, an extensive bibliography, and an index to all volumes. An all-together excellent resource for research or general browsing interest.-Starr E. Smith, Fairfax County Public Library, VA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Booklist Review
After more than 100 years, the Civil War still attracts more public interest than any other event in U.S. history. This fact is reflected in the inordinate number of books, well over 50,000, written about the conflict. ABCCLIO has published the most comprehensive reference work, offering more than 1,600 signed entries, over 300 contributors, more than 500 illustrations and 75 maps, and over 250 primary source documents. The encyclopedia provides in A^-Z format information on the war's strategic aims, diplomatic and political maneuvering, key military actions (with descriptions of more than 60 engagements), key participants (civilian and military), and impact on American society and history. Mary Ann Ball Bickerdyke, a Union Army nurse; Matthew Brady, a photographer who accompanied the Union Army in the first main battle; and military leaders such as Ulysses S. Grant, Robert E. Lee, and James Longstreet are just a few of the individuals covered. The encyclopedia not only treats the military aspects of the war but presents full coverage of the politics, literature, art, music, and homefront events. Every conceivable subject--from Chickamauga, Battle of to Harper's Weekly to Gatling gun to Jews--receives consideration. Entries range from less than one-half page to more than eighteen pages for Atlanta campaign. Each essay is followed by see also references to related entries elsewhere in the set, as well as extensive suggested readings for deeper research on that particular subject. The final volume compiles more than 250 topically arranged documents, including Abraham Lincoln's famous "A house divided against itself cannot stand" speech, excerpts from Frederick Douglass' "My Escape from Slavery" speech, Jefferson Davis' "Proclamation of 1861," the Battle Hymn of the Republic, and more. These primary source materials are an invaluable enhancement to the set. Following the documents, one finds five appendixes. Appendix I lists the Confederate States of America's general officers, followed by its government in appendix II. Appendix III lists the officers of the United States of America, followed by its government in appendix IV. Appendix V is a directory of Civil War battlefield sites with addresses, phone numbers, and maps. Following the appendixes is a "Civil War Chronology" showing relationships between military actions and political, diplomatic, and social developments. A brief glossary provides definitions for the researcher unfamiliar with such terms as cashier ("dishonorably discharge an office") and retrograde ("an orderly retreat usually designed to move away from an enemy" ). An extensive bibliography lists all the resources referenced throughout the volumes. The index indicates main entries in bold print, while illustrations are identified with italics. The index is detailed and comprehensive. For example, under AfricanAmerican sailors, there are references to individuals who relate to this category, such as Gideon Welles and Francis Shoup. Under Gettysburg, battle of one finds page references not only to information about the battle but also to related people, places, and events. The set is handsomely designed, with numerous period photographs complementing the text. There are some minor criticisms regarding layout, which makes maneuvering the set a bit cumbersome. The index to all volumes can only be found in volume five, which means the researcher has to use two volumes most of the time; a cumulative index in each volume would have made access easier. The index cites only page numbers, leaving the user to guess which volume a page might be in. Neither the bibliographies nor the directory to battle sites makes reference to the copious information that is available through the World Wide Web. However, these are small shortcomings. Encyclopedia of the American Civil War is the most comprehensive reference work written about its topic, providing both the novice and the expert an opportunity to expand their knowledge of this vital aspect of U.S. history. Recommended for high-school, public, and academic libraries.
Choice Review
Providing more than 1,600 biographical and topical entries, the Heidlers' enormous compilation brings together articles from some 300 academic and freelance contributors. Articles are arranged alphabetically by name or subject in the first four volumes, while the fifth volume provides a useful selection of primary source documents, appendixes, chronology, glossary, bibliography, and comprehensive index. Coverage is staggering. Individuals, units, armies, arms and engineering, specific engagements and extended campaigns, riots, raids, ships, geographic locations, technology, songs, and social and cultural issues are covered in the first four volumes. Articles are sometimes illustrated with photographs, engravings, and maps and end with brief bibliographies for further reading. The cartography is exceptional, with sharp details and clear labeling. Volume 5 transcribes more than 200 primary documents, including speeches, letters, military dispatches, and music. The second half of volume 5 supplies lists of Union and Confederate general officers and government officials; a directory and atlas of battlefield sites; an impressive daily chronology; a short glossary of military terms and slang; and a lengthy bibliography. This encyclopedia covers more ground than Encyclopedia of the Confederacy, ed. by Richard N. Current (CH, Feb'94) and replaces Historical Times Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Civil War, ed. by Patricia L. Faust (CH, Mar'87). Highly recommended for undergraduates, and useful for graduate students and researchers/faculty. D. E. Richards Southwest Missouri State University
Library Journal Review
As the interest in and literature on the American Civil War grows in size and complexity each year, getting a firm hold of the subject has become almost impossible. This encyclopedia provides an essential service in combining an excellent array of battle maps and famous photographs with over 1600 concise (though sometimes too concise) entries on subjects that range from armories to nursing to Zouaves. Together, the text and images effectively capture the character and conduct of war and society. Although military subjects and biographies predominate, the encyclopedia includes numerous entries on politics, homefront mobilization, blacks and women in the war, the press, government programs in the North and South, technology, and soldiers' and relief organizations. These entries collectively show how the war touched virtually every aspect of American life. A volume of key documents of the era brings the war home with letters from officers describing battles, secession ordinances, critical speeches, and other primary sources. Appendixes listing executive officers and military leaders and a glossary of military terms add to the encyclopedia's usefulness. Although some bibliographies of individual entries are dated, the general bibliography compensates, and, more importantly, the entries are uniformly informed and clearly written. No other reference work compares with the range of this enterprise in canvassing the war. Every academic and major public library will need these volumes, edited by an independent scholar and the director of American history at the U.S. Air Force Base, respectively, as one of the quickest and surest routes into what historian James McPherson rightly identifies as "the most written-about subject in American history."DRandall M. Miller, Saint Joseph's Univ., Philadelphia (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.