Fateful Lightning

By Allen C. Guelzo,

Book cover of Fateful Lightning: A New History of the Civil War and Reconstruction

Book description

The Civil War is the greatest trauma ever experienced by the American nation, a four-year paroxysm of violence that left in its wake more than 600,000 dead, more than 2 million refugees, and the destruction (in modern dollars) of more than $700 billion in property. The war also sparked some…

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Why read it?

1 author picked Fateful Lightning as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Even as a seasoned historian, I find the volume essential and prescient. It does an excellent job of offering a clear view of the major issues and developments in such a complex period of history.

Fateful Lightning offers a wide-ranging look at the Civil War, including how it was fought, what it meant, why people signed up, and how it changed the country. As a one-book overview, you’d be hard placed to find a better volume.

It also provides a helpful look at the complex period that followed the war, which saw the abolition of slavery, the redefinition and expansion…

From David's list on how the Civil War changed history.

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