It is been 140 odd years since the civil War in this country. I have, recently been looking for books about the war which have not been heavily slanted toward the winner's side. Are there books that are not propaganda about the War?
thanks
Patrick
2007-12-01 10:37:08 · 8 answers · asked by krowtap 4 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
The Civil War by Shelby Foote. A 3-volume narrative history. Am reading it now. It is beautiful -- he is a very good writer. He is a Southerner, but he is not a propagandist for states' rights and slavery (assuming you want to avoid that kind of propaganda as well as the other).
It was completed during the early and middle 1960s as I recall.
2007-12-01 10:51:21 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Writing histories is not always left to the victor, particularly where the American Civil War is concerned. There were plenty of "lost cause" histories written (and still being written). They were (are) propaganda written by the losing side. Jubal Early (confederate general) comes to mind as a southern apologist.
2007-12-01 10:49:46 · answer #2 · answered by Mike C 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am currently reading 'The Real Lincoln: A New Look at Abraham Lincoln, His Agenda, and an Unnecessary War,' by Thomas J. DiLorenzo, and I would suggest reading to gain clarity on certain events and people's opinions of the time the American Civil War occurred.
Three Rivers Press, New York, 2002,2003
2007-12-01 14:09:35 · answer #3 · answered by WMD 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Can't speak in regard to the US Civil War but rewriting history is not only the prerogative of the victor. At the moment Japan is doctoring it's history during WWII, painting itself as the victim, the allies as the aggressors and brushing under the carpet its treatment of Chinese civillians (rape of Nanking) and what it did to British, Australian,Indian and other Commonwealth prisoners of war (i.e more chance of surviving a Nazi concentration camp than a Japanese POW camp).
2007-12-01 11:41:23 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would look to the writer's sources. There are several diaries written by Southern people during the Civil War, and would not be a re-writing of history. Sorry I can't recall the names, but that might send you in the right direction.
2007-12-01 11:31:08 · answer #5 · answered by La Belle Dame Sans Merci 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I very seriously doubt it. Especially anything current: everyone it seems - including historical authors - have to be very cautious, extremely careful nowadays, so as not to be accused of being "politically incorrect".
So if you're looking for an honest, unbiased appraisal, you'll probably have to go back to that era, or thereabouts.
I'm putting your question on my watchlist, to see if anyone comes up with a good candidate. Anyhow, good luck on it; sincerely hope someone can come up with a good recommendation.
Wotan
2007-12-01 10:47:51 · answer #6 · answered by Alberich 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Heck yeah......rewriting history is the privilege of the victor
2007-12-01 10:41:58 · answer #7 · answered by Bob D 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
There are some out there. Just do a google search and they will turn up.
2007-12-01 14:45:56 · answer #8 · answered by Sambo 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋