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The Civil War and the Limits of Destruction
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Mark E. Neely Jr.
Language:
English
Published/Copyright:
2007
About this book
Neely considers the war’s destructiveness in a comparative context, revealing the sense of limit that guided the conduct of American soldiers and statesmen. Modern overemphasis on violence in Civil War literature has led many scholars to go too far in drawing analogies with the 20th century’s “total war” and the grim guerrilla struggles of Vietnam.
Reviews
In a perceptive and rigorously argued call to resist the temptation to describe the Civil War as an unusually destructive or brutal war, Mark Neely finds new ways to examine old questions and to challenge prevailing interpretations. This is another first-rate work from one of the best and most imaginative scholars working in the field of Civil War history.
-- Gary W. Gallagher, author of The Confederate War
-- Gary W. Gallagher, author of The Confederate War
Neely tackles a fascinating and important topic: were terror and brutality a key part of the Civil War? He makes a compelling case that the combat was more controlled than we now often accept. His account is original-in some cases clearly pathbreaking-and his tone passionate and gripping. This is a major contribution that will capture a wide readership.
-- Ari Kelman, author of A River and Its City
-- Ari Kelman, author of A River and Its City
An intriguing new book...Neely argues forcefully and thoughtfully for a more realistic, less gory understanding of the great war...Whatever you think of Neely's arguments, you cannot reject them as poorly conceived or loosely defended. He is a thoughtful expert who delivers a book that you cannot read without transforming your view of the Civil War and its place in American history.
-- Cameron McWhirter Atlanta Journal-Constitution
-- Cameron McWhirter Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Impressive and lively.
-- David Waldstreicher Boston Globe
-- David Waldstreicher Boston Globe
A seminal work on a big issue, The Civil War and the Limits of Destruction should stir up much productive discussion.
-- John Cimprich Civil War Book Review
-- John Cimprich Civil War Book Review
Using comparisons to other wars in other nations in the 19th and 20th centuries, Neely finds that the U.S. Civil War was not nearly as bloody as conventional wisdom (and much scholarly wisdom) has held.
-- R. G. Lowe Choice
-- R. G. Lowe Choice
Topics
Publicly Available Download PDF |
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Publicly Available Download PDF |
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Destructiveness in the Civil War Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF |
1 |
Republicanism and the Ethos of War Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF |
6 |
Limited War in Missouri Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF |
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War in the Tropics Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF |
72 |
Sheridan and Scorched Earth Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF |
109 |
The Grand Burning of the Prairie Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF |
140 |
Retaliation and the Political Uses of Hatred Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF |
170 |
The Cult of Violence in Civil War History Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF |
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Publishing information
Pages and Images/Illustrations in book
eBook published on:
July 1, 2009
eBook ISBN:
9780674041363
Pages and Images/Illustrations in book
Main content:
288
eBook ISBN:
9780674041363
Audience(s) for this book
General/trade;