A Short History of the Civil War: Ordeal by Fire Paperback – 7 July 1997

I purchased this on the strength of many good reviews. Unfortunately, the extravagant writing style put me off. Written for an American audience before WWII I think the author pre-supposes a little background knowledge of events. There is virtually nothing on the causes of the war, for example.

Dear Reader, My father got me this book when I was 17. I barely understood at the time what a heretical book it was; but I'll say this, it taught me how to think. More than being a "Unionist', Pratt is a humanist, he views the war as a tragedy, filled with genius, grandeur and misery, and brought to a place of potential transcendence by an adherence to republican principles by a man who was almost without ideology, Abraham Lincoln. He revisits the basic why? Because the South thought the North would not fight, or if it did, it would be a joke. The North was shocked not that so many states seceded, but that any of them did. He allows the story to unfold; the currents take you on the terrifying ride that time was. His 'takes' on the different personalities are years ahead of their time. His only miss is the nasty Sheridan, who, gutsy commander that he could be, padded his portfolio shamelessly, and I'm sure Pratt was working from his memoirs. Stone's River does stand as written. He was the first author to apply 20th Century critical mind to these 'holy' figures. I remember my father shaking his head after I'd regaled him with a few choice bits. "It's just that when I was a kid, we were taught to look at those men on a pedestal, figures to hold up as models that were above us." I then and there decided to attain those places in my own quiet way. Pratt shows you what attitudes and philosophies worked, and why. It's for us to apply those lessons to our own time. Unionist? His praise of the Southern soldier is all the more powerful for beingtersely put. For the leaders who propelled them into conflict he doesn't have much use. But Northern politicians often fare no better. He enters detail that it would take historians decades to emphasize, the genius of Adams, the US Ambassador to England, The Knights of the Golden Circle.... It hurts him that the old "infinite numbers and material" reason for Northern victory is substituted for so many examples of genius, spirit and gutsy fighting that produced victories that crowded the South away from its granaries, Kentucky and Tennessee and the machinations of the English and French Empires. Fire won the day, not some amoebic mass that smothered the REAL men. He corrects the false population tables that are still used. Lincoln's progressive handing over of power as the war aims were met is given it's proper attention. If you like this book, you MUST read his history of the Consular period of Napoleonic France, "The Empire and the Glory." Prepare to view the English reaction to a revolutionary France stabilized in a not-so-flattering light.

This is probably the best short history of the Civil War. More than just reporting battles, Pratt takes us through the politics and the personalities of the time. The cultural and sociological aspects are clear and pointed. Yes, the glories and horrors of war are covered there, but so are the side shows, like the draft riots, the anti-slavery movement, the Knights of the Golden Circle, international intrigues, Lincoln's inaugurations and speeches, and the infighting in the Cabinets of both Northern and Southern presidents. A grand picture of a critical part of America's growth. Don't miss it!

This was the book that introduced the Civil War to me over 60 years ago. It is beautifully written. It’s maps are concise. I highly recommend it.

I love Fletcher Pratt's writing, and this is probably the best of the (admittedly, few) American Civil War histories I've read. I would happily give it five stars.However, this edition is full of OCR errors---more than one or two on each page. It appears to have been formatted for printing without any proofreading.Get the book, but don't get this edition.