The Treasonous John Brennan

This three-volume work by Shelby Foote provides a detailed and chronological account of the American Civil War. The volumes are titled 'Fort Sumter to Perryville', 'Fredericksburg to Meridian', and 'Red River to Appomattox'. Foote's narrative includes extensive descriptions of battles, campaigns, and the impacts on both the Union and Confederate sides. While the book is praised for its descriptive writing and balanced assessments of key figures like Grant, Sherman, and Lee, it has been criticized for its lack of emphasis on the economic and social aspects of the war. Foote relied primarily on secondary resources and aimed to avoid bias despite his Southern background.

Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era is a detailed historical account by James M. McPherson, spanning two decades from the Mexican-American War to the end of the Civil War at Appomattox. The book integrates political, social, and military events, providing a thorough analysis of the pre-war period and the Civil War itself. McPherson examines the multiple interpretations of freedom held by both the North and South, highlighting how these differing views led to the conflict. The book is part of the Oxford History of the United States series and is praised for its fluid writing style, use of anecdotes, and comprehensive coverage of the period, including significant events like the Dred Scott decision, the Lincoln-Douglas debates, and John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry.