Brilliant But Not For The Faint Hearted

I have just completed the marathon quest of listening to all three volumes of Shelby Foote's masterpiece narrative of the American Civil War (Approx 139 Hours). Coming to this trilogy, I thought I possessed a basic knowledge of the events of those four years which tore an infant nation apart and set brother against brother; quite literally in many cases. The Civil War trilogy has served to royally demonstrate to me just how much I did not know about this fascinating and bloody four years of American history. If you are an amateur historian wishing to really understand the polotics, characters, battles and progression of the war, this is the book for you. It isn't however, a book which could reasonably used as an introduction to the subject. There are many more concise accounts which can be read to see if you get the taste for more, at which time Shelby Foote's epic will be waiting.

This will also probably be an ideal information source for serious gamers of Civil War battles as every skirmish and major conflict is included in detail.

11 people found this helpful

Brilliant

These comments relate to all 3 volumes of this work.

It appears almost like a tragic epic novel capturing the unimagined scope of the conflict, the carnage and destruction, the fine detail of the principal characters, and a wealth of comtemporary comment whether it be from reporters, soldiers, wives, family members or politicians to give some perpective to the undoubted horror. It is a wonderful history and geography lesson and it is beautifully written. It covers the defining event in the development of the United States and the importance of that is done full justice here. It is no turgid recitation of facts but a wonderfully constructed, evenly balanced and finely tuned account of the tragedy upon tragedy which led the the strengthening of the Union and which put in place the foundations of the modern day power house democracy.

Grover Gardner does full justice to the text in his low key, faultless rendition.

5 people found this helpful

Great book, fantastic narrator, inconsistent sound

Fascinating book with a listenable narrator. Weak sound quality in parts though. Will definitely be listening to Volumes 2 & 3

2 people found this helpful

A commitment but well worth it.

This is a comprehensive account of the war based on primary sources, with lots of detail. The personalities shine through in the coverage, which is primarily concerned with military affairs and battles (although the socio-political backdrop is addressed more than some critics have said). I have given 5 stars overall for these three volumes that make up the whole. But only four for performance, as the narrator is often dreary and jaded and has a clipped accent like the character Hannibal Lector in the Silence of the Lambs. I must admit that I would be jaded after reading this amount of text aloud, so maybe the producers should have broken it up with alternating readers, one with a north-east Yankee accent and one with a southern accent. Or someone who sounds like Shelby Foote did, the author now deceased, who had a mild educated southern lilt (interviews with him are on You Tube). But overall, this book is magnificent and well balanced and accessible. And the audio version is fair, and well worth the effort. I came to some new conclusions about Lincoln, the South, and the United States. A note on the medium: It is hard to take it all in unless you concentrate, but often you don't do that when listening to a book. So you have to re-play parts over and over again if something takes your attention away (like a 13 year old daughter asking for a lift or a wife coming home while you are preparing supper - both of whom complained, fairly, about the narrator's drone). Or you can only listen while painting a room or at the gym or in the car on your own. Or you can buy the books, which, if they include maps, would also prevent you having to look out relevant maps on the internet - but must weigh a ton!

2 people found this helpful

Overall a very good audiobook

What three words best describe Grover Gardner’s voice?

Normally great, in this work he sounds depressed, I think he looked at the length of the work in front of him and became discouraged

Any additional comments?

I was very unfamiliar with the American Civil War and this is a significant disadvantage to fully enjoying this excellent book. I found that the author (not unreasonably) expected the reader to know some general facts about the conflict. I sometimes forgot which General's were on which side of the conflict and who was advancing on which position and doing what.

This is more my fault than the authors and this three volume work is perhaps the finest of its kind

1 person found this helpful

Epic, deep and personal

Would you listen to The Civil War again? Why?

Quite simply an evocative journey through a disturbing conflict. Foote combines a large narrative scope with individual accounts, letters, memoirs and newspaper accounts to give the definitive Civil War book. Outstanding.

1 person found this helpful

A Masterpiece, Masterly Read!

I absolutely love this book,Shelby Foote, is a brilliant writer, part 1, is brilliantly read and I'm really looking forward to reading the next 2 books in the Trilogy.

Best Civil War published work ever

My wife got me the set when we were just going out together many years ago and they immediately became my favourite books about the war.
when I saw them on Audible, I immediately got them.
The books have lost none of the thrill from when I first read them and if anything, have gained from the reading.
Can't fault at all.

A Classic

A classic American Civil War History that was well narrated.
Given the subject matter I thought I would struggle with its sheer length but the narrator kept my interest throughout.
One volume down, two to go. Bring it on!!

Majesterial in scope

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this to anyone interested in Military and Political History. The scope of the (three) books is huge in fitting with the events. Not yet an enormous list of chronological facts which would reduce the books to a very dry tome. There are lessons for the present day in this series.

Who was your favorite character and why?

N/a

What about Grover Gardner’s performance did you like?

Delivered with gravitas throughout but there was humour, sensitively handled.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

I would dare tamper with any part of these books.

Any additional comments?

Superb.