AGEOD Forums

Has anybody read The Longest Night by David J. Eicher? I hear its got tons of facts in it about the armies of the War but its a slow read. Just wondering what peoples thoughts are on this book.

Yep, I read it a few years ago.

When I purchased it I was looking for a one-volume, military only, history of the war, without the political and social aspects, basically a trimmed down "Battle Cry of Freedom".

Well, it wasn't exactly the fast, light, read I was looking for but it certainly came up big in depth and detail.
Yes, it is definitely a slow read, very dense and dry, but expertly researched.

It has "tons of facts" that's for sure, tons may be an understatement.
He describes almost every small battle or skirmish.
The movement of individual river gunboats and transports. (never knew there were such types as "screw-sloops", "tinclad-sidewheelers", "steam barges, "side-wheel frigates")
Sometimes, IMO, the book bogs down when it lists units and orders of battle throughout the text instead of in a chart or seperate paragraph.

Interspersed throughout there are section on Supply, Weapons, Tactics, Economics, etc..

If a fast, light, read is what's needed than this book may not be what you are looking for.
If you want a single volume that you can pick up and read at any point you need information on a campaign or battle than "The Longest Night" is an excellent resource.

As TC37 said, a little dry,but still thought it was a good book on the military side of the war.One of the nice things about it is ,it has lots of maps.My favourite though is Shelby Foote's 3 volume narrative,some errors in it,but stiil a fantastic read.The only thing I would fault Foote is the lack of maps,though there is a 14 volume 40th anniversary addition just jam packed with maps and photos.Its a little pricey,but worth every cent.

Thanks for the info Ian and TC. I've read Foote and Mcpherson I was looking for a book filled with ton's of obscure info I think Foote's Narative is my favorite general history of the Civil war

I'm reading this now (bought on ebay after seeing this thread) not a flowing narrative like Catton or Foote but packed with facts. I'm liking it!

S! EC