I read and enjoyed it a few years ago, but have now just reread it as part of the lets talk about it. The pendulum of war on december 20th, 1860, south carolina was the first southern state to secede from the union. The battle of antietam fought on september 17 1862 was the bloodiest single day in american history with more than 6000. Business publishing industry library and information science printer friendly 34,777,806 articles and books.
Compared to the normandy invasion in world war ii, antietam pro. In this powerful book he reconstructs the gripping battle of antietam. Why men fought in the civil war was awarded the 1998 lincoln prize. From the dean of civil war historians and pulitzer prizewinning author of battle cry of freedom, a powerful new reckoning with jefferson davis as military commander of the confederacy. Listen to thousands of best sellers and new releases on your iphone, ipad, or android. The battle of antietam, fought on september 17, 1862, was the bloodiest single day in american history. As mcpherson shows, by september 1862 the survival of the united states was in doubt. James mcpherson is the author of crossroads of freedom. All librivox recordings are in the public domain in the usa and available as free downloads on. Pulitzer prizewinning battle cry of freedom, crossroads of freedom which was a. It was general robert lees first invasion of the north which concluded as the battle of antietam in maryland or sharpsburg.
The bloodiest day in united states history was september 17. The bloodiest day in united states history was september 17, 1862, when, during the civil war battle at antietam, close to 6,500 soldiers were killed or mortally. Listen to crossroads of freedom antietam by james m. In a concise narrative, mcpherson takes readers through the events leading up to antietam, and through the savage fighting of the battle itself.
Antietam, pivotal moments in american history, published by oxford university. To someone who already knows the basics and wants to know more about the battle of antietam, much more time should be spent on the maryland campaign. This day remains the single most deadly days in american history, and the outcome of the battle was to change the course of the civil war. Mcpherson, does a superb job in its goal of discussing how the battle of antietam was a turning point in the american civil war.
Mcpherson, paints a masterful account of this pivotal battle, the events that led up to it, and its aftermath. All content included on our site, such as text, images, digital downloads and other, is the property of its content suppliers and protected by us and international laws. Mcpherson, paints a masterful account of this pivotal battle, the. The pulitzer prizewinning author weaves strands of diplomatic, political, and military history into a swiftmoving narrative. Antietam and millions of other books are available for instant access. Dec 18, 2009 midterm crossroads to freedom slides 1. Reading the cup is essentially a domestic form of fortunetelling to be practiced at home, and with success by anyone who will take the trouble to master the simple rules laid down in these pages. Compared to the normandy invasion in world war ii, antietam produced four times as many casualties.
Mcphersons bestselling audiobooks and newest titles. A concise account of the momentous civil war battle as well as the smaller conflicts that led up to it. More historians should write books like james mcphersons illuminating new work on antietam. Mcpherson, our preeminent historian on the civil war era, writes clearly and concisely and is very successful in the goals set forth by the author and fellow editor of the pivotal. Mcpherson is the george henry davis 86 professor of history emeritus at princeton university. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Shop thousands of bestsellers, new releases, and classic titles, all in one place. The battle of antietam, fought on september 17, 1862, was the bloodiest single day in american history, with more than 6,000 soldiers killedfour times the number lost on dday, and twice the number killed in the september 11th terrorist attacks. In early 1862, the civil war comes within view of the brannon family farm in culpeper county, virginia. Mcpherson the great historian james mcpherson presents his account of antietam, the savage civil war battle that made the. It was soon followed by six more states mississippi, florida, alabama, georgia, louisiana, and texas. Librivox founded in 2005 is a community of volunteers from all over the world who record public domain texts.
All content included on our site, such as text, images, digital downloads and other, is the property of its content suppliers and protected by. The battle of antietam at sharpsburg on september 17, 1862 is considered the severest battle of the civil war. The bloodiest single day in american history, with more than 6,000 killed four times the number lost on dday. Pulitzer prizewinning new york times bestselling author james m. This book focused on the battle of antietam, which was not only the bloodiest battle in the u. Crossroads of freedom a volume in the pivotal moments in american history series reflects mcphersons longstanding interest in problems of historical contingency, and readers should therefore not expect a full account of the antietam campaign or a close tactical analysis of the battle. His other books include abraham lincoln and the second american revolution. The din of drilling soldiers sweeps over the quiet county seat, and another brannon son, mac, answers the call to arms. Mcpherson tells the story of the battle of antietam the turning point of the whole civil war, and the bloodiest day in american history. Crossroads of freedom by james mcpherson and nelson runger. The battle that changed the course of the civil war james m. The pendulum of war 18611862 the first chapter focuses on the reasons for the american civil war and the beginning of a long journey civil wars usually start when one side is trying to control the others land or government, but in the case of this. Sep 08, 2002 but crossroads of freedom isnt simply about the bloodiest single day in american history, to use mcphersons phrase.
James mcpherson talked about his book, crossroads of freedom. Dec 12, 2003 the battle of antietam, fought on september 17, 1862, was the bloodiest single day in american history, with more than 6,000 soldiers killedfour times the number lost on dday, and twice the number killed in the september 11th terrorist attacks. Mar 22, 2019 the battle of antietam, fought on september 17, 1862, was the bloodiest single day in american history. But crossroads of freedom isnt simply about the bloodiest single day in american history, to use mcphersons phrase. Focus on the subject if you were a novice to the civil war, than this would be a good place to learn of the build up to this battle. The battle of antietam, fought on september 17, 1862, was the bloodiest single day in american history, with mor. Subtitled, the battle that changed the course of the civil war, this compelling history chronicles the battle that took place on september 17, 1862 near sharpsburg, maryland. Antietam is part of the pivotal moments in american history series. This book focused on the battle of antietam, which was. The civil war era won the pulitzer prize for history and his for cause and comrades. The battle that changed the course of the civil war. It is clear that either side could have changed the outcome of the war.
The battle of antietam, fought on september17, 1862 was one of the many bloody but indecisive battles that was so characteristic of the civil war. The pulitzer prizewinning author of battle cry of freedom and the new york times bestseller crossroads of freedom, among many other. The battle itself occupies only about 30 pages of this 203page volume. In crossroads of freedom, americas most eminent civil war historian, james m. The pendulum of war 18611862 the first chapter focuses on the reasons for the american civil war and the beginning of a long journey civil wars usually start when one side is trying to control the others land or government, but in the case of this civil war the. Start a free 30day trial today and get your first audiobook free. Antietam the battle that changed the course of the civil war pivotal.
Librivox recording of teacup reading and fortunetelling by tea leaves by a highland seer. There is no denying that antietam was a pivotal moment, and that mcpherson was the ideal person to write this account. Antietamcrossroads of freedom by rachel nicole tunnell 2. Through historical newspaper accounts and the personal letters of. The longanticipated spring offensive pitches the union and confederate. Mcpherson the great historian james mcpherson presents his account of antietam, the savage civil war battle that made the freeing of the slaves. This war took place just after a fortnight of the confederate victory at second manassas, about 40 miles to the southeast in virginia. Mcpherson audiobooks instantly today to your mobile phone, tablet. Making sense of the american civil war series i have mentioned here before.
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