MWSA Book Review

Almanacs of American Wars: Revolutionary War Almanac

Author:  John C. Fredriksen, Ph.D

Publisher:  Facts on File

Reviewer: Jim Stewart

Fact after fact about America's first struggle of arms!

First I had the pleasure of reviewing Almanacs of American Wars: Revolutionary War Almanac, and now I have the companion piece, Civil War Almanac, in my hands. What a delight to receive this book for review. The book is laid out with the same formula, i.e., the first 601 pages detail an almost daily chronology of events starting Feb. 1, 1860, and ending Dec. 27, 1865 when "...Former Confederate admiral Raphael Semmes is arrested and brought to Washington, D.C. for allegedly violating parole conditions. He remains in custody until April 1866 and is never brought to trial..." The following few hundred pages, like the Revolutionary War Almanac, contain information on the significant people, some obscure to me, like Edward P. Alexander, one of the first Confederate officers ...employed in balloon reconnaissance...to the more popular characters like George E. Pickett and William T. Sherman.

The book is sprinkled with photos and beautifully detailed illustrations. This particular part of history always amazes me and gets my interest. I don't need another civil war book now. This has it all, A-Z. An outstanding historical journey and a must read. I have friends who do civil war reenactments and they can't wait to get their hands on this book.

I can't say enough about this historical treat. If this is not included in your civil war book collection, your collection is woefully incomplete. As a board member of the Military Writers Society of America I am humbled to have received such a fabulous read.

A HUGE five star rating for this book.
 

Other books by John C. Fredriksen