“Topics covered include origins of the war, Lincoln and Davis, leadership, the men in the ranks, the Union navy, the homefront, the people's war, the war in the West, espionage, emancipation, Europe, and the war's legacy... This volume is printed on glossy paper and a great book for any general library on the Civil War.” —Blue and Gray Magazine (Summer 2006)
“Written by notable scholars, the essays offer excellent overviews that range from the secession movement, to political and military leadership, to the war on the waters, in the Trans-Mississippi, and to the conflict's legacy. The writers' contributions are well-written, informative and thought-provoking... This is a book that will please both scholars and students of the Civil War. The essays serve as both an introduction and as compelling analyses of them. The book is an attractive work, printed on quality paper. At current prices for new books, this one is a bargain. The editor, Dr. Sheehan-Dean, and the contributors are to be commended for the book's breadth of topics and the quality of the essays. Struggle for a Vast Future is recommended as an engaging and informative work.” —Jeffry D. Wert, Civil War News (August 2007)
“Twelve historians contributed essays to this superb, concise, and readable volume... An enormous amount of history has here been condensed into a useful tool that will likely stimulate further debate and research. Students, Civil war enthusiasts, and others should find this excellent introductory text to be worth their while.” —David Alperstein, Library Journal (June 2006)
“This new book offers an analysis of elements of the Civil War from a modern perspective organized into twelve chapters, each written by a different military historian... this book offers something for both newcomers with an interest in the US Civil War, as well as for the old hands... The chronology at the beginning is well done and useful. If the reader is at all interested in the US Civil War, it is worth a read.” —Geoff Hall, Canadian Army Journal (Spring 2007)
Twelve historians contributed essays to this superb, concise, and readable volume. Editor Sheehan-Dean (history, Univ. of North Florida) presents, in effect, a guide through the maze of differences between the North and South that culminated in the Civil War and reverberated thereafter. The essays address such topics as leadership and personalities, the European perspective, women in warfare, POW camps, desertion, and the legacy of war. An especially well-covered topic is the war's impact on ordinary people, and an interesting final section examines how movies like Birth of a Nation and Gone with the Wind have shaped our "memories" of the war. The text is heavily illustrated, with numerous photos, maps, and other pertinent material throughout, the chronology provides a useful, broader overview of events from 1820 to1977, and the sections containing endnotes and further readings provide many possibilities for further study. An enormous amount of history has here been condensed into a useful tool that will likely stimulate further debate and research. Students, Civil War enthusiasts, and others should find this excellent introductory text to be worth their while. David Alperstein, Queens Borough P.L., Jamaica, NY Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
