American War Library - The Civil War: Life Among the Soldiers and Cavalry - Hardcover

James A. Corrick

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1560064919 ISBN 13: 9781560064916

Publisher: Lucent Books, 1999

Synopsis

Life for the millions who fought for the Union and the Confederacy was much the same. Aside from battle, their main concerns were for their equipment and weapons, what and how much they had to eat, where they slept, and how much free time they had.

About this title

Review:

"The text is supplemented by quotes from primary-source materials such as letters, diaries, and published accounts written by soldiers, nurses, and civilians."
-- School Library Journal (September 2001) (School Library Journal 20010901)

"A forward explains why it is important to look at America as a country defined by the wars it chose to wage while an introduction seeks to explain why the United States chose to wage this particular war. The epilogue details what happened to many of those involved. Black-and-white photographs show men, women, and materiel. (It) will appeal to a wide range of ages; clear, concise, and user-friendly, it is tailor-made for reports but will still attract browsers."
-- School Library Journal (August 2001) (School Library Journal 20010801)

"The chapters that follow deal with the trained but ill-informed soldiers, living conditions, dangers, uncontrolled behaviors, postwar personal problems, closure, and lessons learned. The texts are organized in double-column pages with detailed sidebars in tinted boxes. Many primary sources are quoted...volumes are liberally illustrated with good-quality, black-and-white captioned photos. Vocabulary is appropriate while at the same time describing the situation without softening the impact or tempering the language in the soldier's statements. These are definitely titles that should be considered for purchase."
-- School Library Journal (June 2001) (School Library Journal 20010601)

"An introduction presents a brief background history...The text is then divided into five chronological chapters...The epilogue concluded with a balanced discussion of the period. Well-captioned, black-and-white photos, supplement the main presentation. Documentation is thorough, with detailed notes. This informative presentation will be a good source for reports and for general interest."
-- School Library Journal (April 2001) (School Library Journal 20010401)

From School Library Journal:

Gr 7-10-Corrick concentrates on the men who filled the ranks of the army, cavalry, and navy on both the Union and Confederate sides. He details the typical experiences of soldiers from the time they joined the military to their postwar lives. For most, the halcyon days of recruitment and enlistment soon faded as they endured unhealthy conditions in camp, poor diets, and inadequate medical care. In his clear descriptions of the confusing and frightening battlefield conditions, the author provides students with an insightful look into the war as experienced by those on the front line. Each chapter is illustrated with black-and-white period photographs. Sidebars covering a range of topics, including quotes from soldiers' diaries and from well-known works such as Henry Steele Commager's The Blue and the Gray, add interest and color. Used alone or in conjunction with Civil War diaries, this is a valuable resource.-Patricia Ann Owens, Wabash Valley College, Mt. Carmel, IL

Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Lucent Books
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 1560064919
• ISBN 13: 9781560064916
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 112