The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Civil War - Softcover

Barney, William L.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0199782016 ISBN 13: 9780199782017

Publisher: Oxford University Press, U.S.A., 2011

Synopsis

A gold mine for the historian as well as the Civil War buff, The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Civil War offers a concise, comprehensive overview of the major personalities and pivotal events of the war that redefined the American nation.
Drawing upon recent research that has moved beyond battles and military campaigns to address the significant roles played by civilians, women, and African Americans, the 250 entries explore the era in all its complexity and unmistakable human drama. Here of course are the major battles and campaigns, ranging from Gettysburg and Shiloh to Sherman's March to the Sea, as well as biographical entries on everyone from Abraham Lincoln and Robert E. Lee to Frederick Douglass, Clara Barton, and Walt Whitman. But the book also features entries on a wealth of other matters--music, photography, religion, economics, foreign affairs, medicine, prisons, legislative landmarks, military terms and weaponry, political events, social reform, women in the war, and much more. In addition, charts, newly commissioned maps, chronologies, and period photographs provide an appealing visual context. Suggestions for further reading at the end of most entries and a guide to more general sources in an appendix introduce the reader to the literature on a specific topic. A list of Civil War museums and historic sites and a representative sampling of Civil War websites also point to resources that can be tailored to individual interests.
A quick, convenient, user-friendly guide to all facets of the Civil War, this new updated edition also serves as an invaluable gateway to the rich historical record now available, perfect for virtually anyone who wants to learn more about this tumultuous period in our history.

About this title

Review

"The best one-volume encyclopedia of this period currently available. Remarkably comprehensive and clearly written....Profusely illustrated with photos, drawings, illustrations from contemporary sources, and paintings. Recommended."--CHOICE

"Excellent cross-references...informative captions....Recommended for high school and public libraries... The variety of topics that are covered surpasses many other single volumes on similar objects."--Booklist

"Well-written, concise entries that are supplemented by useful period photographs, charts, maps, and chronology. Coverage is broad.... Each entry includes suggestions for further reading and plentiful 'see' and 'see also' references....A useful handbook that offers students an objective perspective in an accessible, appealing format."--School Library Journal

"A needed volume... It is accurate, readable, and replete....Amply illustrated...[A] valuable resource....Recommended."--Book Report

About the Author

William L. Barney is Professor of History at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. He is the author of The Making of a Confederate: Walter Lenoir's Civil War, Flawed Victory: A New Perspective on the Civil War, and The Road to Secession: A New Perspective on the Old South, among other works.

About this edition

• Publisher: Oxford University Press, U.S.A.
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 0199782016
• ISBN 13: 9780199782017
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 384