Library of Congress Civil War Desk Reference Book - Comprehensive Guide to the American Civil War | Perfect for History Buffs, Students & Researchers

I wasn’t completely sold on this book as being very useful until I started needing some quick answers for questions related to the Civil War. I was looking for some information on black officers and found it on pages 429-430. Over the next few weeks I used the reference for additional needs and found answers each time plus some little pieces of extra information that compelled me to do some additional research on them. Before I knew it I was hooked on the value of this book. As with any reference guide, the full story of the Civil War is not found within its pages. That simply is not possible. However, a short synopsis is found on many topics of the war. That in itself makes this a valuable reference. As a reference work it does not contain any footnotes or endnotes, nor any references as to where the information in its pages came from. As such double checking the facts should be done, but then that is a standard applicable to any information from the past. I personally would have preferred to see suggestions on each article or subject for additional research as they were first brought up, but that was not done. Instead, a separate chapter at the end of the volume contains a very good list of sources both in print and on the Internet which definitely makes up for the earlier mentioned shortcoming. In addition, at the end of each chapter a list of sources is provided for additional research which mollifies my desire for footnotes. For those that are new to the Civil War, this reference is good for them to look up quick answers to questions and to become familiar with some of the more common themes and details of the conflict. More experienced Civil War buffs will find interesting details and a handy reference plus lots of additional sources to read in developing a well informed mind on the war. This is not a volume that supports a Lost Cause mythology either. It is well researched and derives its information from facts and primary sources, not wishful mythology. As such the reference volume is a very good one for a one volume work. The Antebellum period is covered along with politics, battles, commanders, weapons, the armies, navies and civilians, as well as sections on medicine, prisoners, and the Reconstruction era. When combined with additional sources such as the O.R. and primary documents including the Congressional Globe, this reference will form a handy go to guide for anyone except the most learned Civil War historian. I highly recommend it for high school and college students who are discovering the Civil War beyond the textbooks.