Historical Dictionary of the Civil War and Reconstruction: 2 (Historical Dictionaries of U.S. Politics and Political Eras) - Hardcover

Richter, William L.

9780810845848: Historical Dictionary of the Civil War and Reconstruction: 2 (Historical Dictionaries of U.S. Politics and Political Eras)

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0810845849 ISBN 13: 9780810845848

Publisher: Scarecrow Press, 2004

The importance of the Civil War and Reconstruction in the history of the United States cannot be overstated. There was a very real possibility that the union could have been sundered, resulting in a very different American history, and probably, world history. But the union was held together by tough and determined leaders and by the economic muscle of the North. While not always a period to be proud of, it did have higher goals and compelling ends. This one-volume dictionary, with more than 800 entries covering the significant events, persons, politics, and economic and social themes in the U.S. Civil War and Reconstruction, is a research tool for all levels of readers from high school and up. The extensive chronology, introductory essay, dictionary entries, and comprehensive bibliography introduce and lead the reader through the military and non-military actions of one of the most pivotal events in American history. Substantial coverage is given to the time that followed the Civil War: Reconstruction. This was a period construed in many different ways by the individuals involved, many of whom had little concern for the impact of their acts on others, and even fewer who were interested in the plight of the newly enfranchised blacks, for whom the war had supposedly been fought. While the states were once again "united," many of the postwar efforts divided different segments of the population and failed to achieve their goals in an era too often remembered for carpetbaggers and scalawags, and Congressional imbroglios and incompetent government. No matter how one looks at it, the Civil War continues to affect the politics, constitutionalism, and societal norms of the United States in an irrevocable way, and it probably always will. It was a very personal war, not fought by machines, but by men, affecting countless Americans who have one or more Civil War veterans hidden in their family trees. It's a war modern enough to be relevant to today's military interests, yet gentlemanly enough to be

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Review:

This book should be added to reference collections of academic and large public libraries. The readable style, balanced coverage, and authoritative scholarship make it an important work. Booklist 20041215 ...provides users with data on significant people and events from the late 1840s to 1900. In its several parts, it provides this information through an introductory essay, a lengthy chronology, an extensive bibliography, several documents of the period, and over 800 dictionary-style entries that make up the main body of this work. American Reference Books Annual This book is in many respects very informative and one can learn a lot from reading it. History: The Journal Of The Historical Association A superb reference on the Civil War...Essential. All academic libraries. Choice

Synopsis:

This one-volume dictionary, with more than 800 entries covering the significant events, persons, politics, and economic and social themes in the U.S. Civil War and Reconstruction, is a research tool for all levels of readers from high school and up. The extensive chronology, introductory essay, dictionary entries, and comprehensive bibliography introduce and lead the reader through the military and non-military actions of one of the most pivotal events in American history.

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