Our Library

 

Feel free to browse our collections, read our reviews, and maybe even purchase a book or two.

Our rating system:

- MISFIRE! Do not Advance!

- Wet powder - No bang, it was just a fizzle

- Drill time....Not bad, but not the best, either

- The Light Artillery...pretty good bang for the buck!

- Bombarding the fort!! This is sure to bring the house down!

 

 

Fiction:   

                                                                                                                                   

   Faded Coat of Blue, Shadows of Glory, and Call Each River Jordan - A series of Novels by Owen Parry.
          Reviewed by Jim Lindsey. I cannot say enough about this series...I could not put down ANY of the books, until it was     

          completed.  Brilliant work, and by a MICHIGAN man, to boot! 

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  Tishomingo Blues - A paperback Novel by Elmore Leonard.

          Reviewed by Dave Wardell. It is a murder mystery with alot of detail and action revolving around a Civil War Reenactment

           in Tunica, Ms. The book is both humorous and tense. Making it a great read. There is mention of a reenactment near

           Flint, Mi and the one at Jackson, Mi. The Dixie Gun Works and Jarnagin get their mention also. The book is such a great

           read that they are actually thinking about making a movie from it.

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Non-Fiction:

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  Allegiance Fort Sumter, Charleston, and the Beginning of the Civil War - David Detzer

 

           Reviewed by Daryl Larson. I liked this book, and would give it an above average rating An informative book covering

           primarily the activities in Charleston during the succession crisis to a few days after the firing on Fort Sumter had

           stopped and the garrison's arrival back in New York. A large focus was rightfully made on the garrison at Fort

           Sumter and its commander Robert Anderson. It gives a background on the rang-lings in Washington, and the

           maneuvering by both sides to settle the standoff. I enjoyed the book and found various aspects of that period and

           discussion of key persons involved to be illuminating. I would suggest the book for people interested in learning of

           the turmoil of the country during the early days that lead to the beginning of the War. 

  The Life of Billy Yank and The Life of Johnny Reb - Bell Irvin Wiley

           Reviewed by Jim Lindsey. I liked these books very much, they are quite useful for giving beginning reenactors a sense of

           the common soldiers' lives, 

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Autobiographical:

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  From the Cannon's Mouth - General Alpheus S. Williams

           Reviewed by Daryl Larson. Appreciated reading this book, and would give an above average rating. This book is a

           sequential reprinting of letters written by General Alpheus S. Williams during his campaigning throughout the war. He

           primarily lead a division in the Army of the Potomac until the siege of Chattanooga caused a transfer of troops

           from the eastern to the western theatre, where he and his division were transported. The letters chosen for the book

           are not excessively cluttered with personal writings, rather they are an easy to read description of events, movements,

           and the terrain that he and his soldiers encountered. Found the letters interesting and informative. I could understand

           his disappointments at not being promoted, given the actions he was in and the apparent performance of he and his

           division, or, in some circumstances, the Corps. Being a Michigan man, his exploits are a must read for a Michigan

           re-enactor. 

  Norfolk Blues: the Civil War diary of the Norfolk Light Artillery Blues - John Walters; edited and introduced by Kenneth Wiley

           Reviewed by Bobby Hill. The day to day story of Grandy's Battery as told through the diary of John Walters. This is

           not just the standard diary of a soldier, John Walters takes us into his day to day life through anecdotes and a

           writing style that invites us to join him by the fire. He writes, at one point, of sleeping on the "bosom of the earth"

           and how he wishes he were in a much more comfortable bosom. It is almost as if John knew that one day, people

           would want to read this diary. That people would want to know what it was like and how he truly lived day to day

           during the conflict. But the book goes well beyond the normal diary or letters home. Ken Wiley opens the book

           with a brief biographical sketch of not only John Walters, but the Norfolk Light Artillery Blues as well. He then ends

           the book with a chapter titled "Reconstruction and Resumption," in which he details the after war life of John and

           the Blues. This is followed by a full roster and biographies (including photographs) of the Norfolk Light Artillery

           Blues. As a book, it is highly recommended. As a diary, it is even more recommended. Any person interested in the war, be

           it for reenacting or other reasons, would do well to read this book. Highly recommended!

 

 

 

Short Stories:

 

  Ambrose Bierce's Civil War - Ambrose Bierce

            Reviewed by Frank Slaughter. This is a collection of short stories and personal observations by Ambrose Bierce taken

            from his experiences during the Civil War. He was present at Chickamauga, Shiloh, Franklin and Picket's Mill to name a

            few. His great skill as an observer and writer leaves us with an unsurpassed vision of what it was really like to be

            there. The short stories are excellent!

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 Biographical: 

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  Burnside- William Marvel

           A biography on Ambrose E. Burnside, reviewed by Daryl Larson. Found the book enjoyable and would give it an

           average or slightly above average rating. The book covered Burnside's military life with only a small elaboration on

           his before and after war experiences. Found the author moderately biased for Burnside with regards to culpability

           for set backs or items where he was criticized. The author sometimes became too involved in placing blame on other

           individuals. I did find some of the author's discussion of the reasons for Burnside's failures to be persuasive and

           enlightening. The author painted an interesting view of Burnside's character; how he dealt with the adversity that he

           encountered, the political problems within the army of the Potomac, and his problems with Halleck. Good

           information for those interested in tracking the Ninth Corps through the conflict and the generals involved with the

           Corp. 

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  Joshua Chamberlain: The Soldier and The Man - Edward G. Longacre

           Reviewed by Jim Lindsey. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and learned a lot about Chamberlain, as well 

 

  General John Buford. A Military Biography - Edward G. Longacre

           Reviewed by Jim Lindsey. A very interesting creation, detailing Buford's career from start to finish 

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Statistical:

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  The Civil War Book of Lists - Compiled by the Editors of Combined Books

 

           Reviewed by Jim Lindsey. A good source of statistical data about a large variety of aspects of the Civil War 

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Fantasy:

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  The Sons of Lazarus - Leah Carson, published by: Excellent Words
            Reviewed by Jim Lindsey. An interesting twist on the question "What if?", where the characters are willingly (at first)

            subjected to an unbelievable experiment which goes drastically wrong... 

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Non-Civil War related:

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  Sgt. York and the Great War - Edited by Richard "Little Bear" Wheeler, published by: Mantle ministries 228 Still Ridge, Bulverde, TX

                                        78163

             Reviewed by Dave Nowland. A view of the life of Sgt. Alvin York, the most decorated soldier of the First World War.

             The section of York's life, during the war years, was taken directly from his own personal journal. The book is

             from his view of life as a Christian. It does make excellent reading, while being inspirational. Available at Christian

             Bookstores.