These are gift ideas for the burgeoning Civil War enthusiast. Don’t try to get them for the established armchair scholars. They’ll already have them.
1. Battle Cry of Freedom
by James McPherson. It’s the Holy Grail and the Holy Bible for students of the Civil War. How is it possible that a one-volume, readable, coherent, and pretty darn inclusive account of the War Between the States can exist? McPherson’s accomplishment really blows my mind. Plus, virtually every literary organization puts it in their Top 100 Nonfiction Books of all time. (see Modern Library, National Review)
2. The Killer Angels
by Michael Shaara. Another classic. This time in fiction. It’s important for readers to remember that this is a novel and not to be taken as truth, but its impact is unavoidable. It is widely believed that this book is responsible for the resurgence in James Longstreet’s popularity. The characters are so well-drawn that you feel like you know them. The events at Gettysburg come alive through Shaara’s storytelling. It’s an easy read, a fast read. But if you are buying for more of an action-type person . . .
3. Gettysburg
(DVD). It’s the movie adaptation of the book, and it doesn’t suck. The 20th Maine’s defense of Little Round Top is amazing. There’s a great Making Of special feature that talks about all the reenactors who showed up and volunteered to make the film possible. When they showed these guys marching across the actual ground of Pickett’s Charge, I was crying like a baby. This movie will give that beginning Civil War convert some visuals of how things were. I don’t think there’s any coming back from that.
Then he or she will be ready for my next list: Holiday Gift Ideas for the Established Civil War Buff.
If you have any additions to any of my lists, please don’t hesitate to let me know!
Tags: Recommendations by Ms. SP
4 Comments »
