Battle Cry of Freedom

The Civil War Era

By: James M. McPherson

Narrated by: Jonathan Davis

James M. McPherson, professor emeritus of U.S. history at Princeton, is one of the foremost scholars of the Civil War. In this informative and meticulously researched masterpiece, he clarifies the differing ways of life and philosophy that led to this shattering conflict.

Abraham Lincoln wondered whether in a free government the minority have the right to break up the government. Jefferson Davis felt forced to take up arms to guarantee his states rights. McPherson merges the words of these men and other political luminaries, housewives, and soldiers from both armies with his own concise analysis of the war to create a story as compelling as any novel.

Battle Cry of Freedom vividly traces how a new nation was forged when a war both sides were sure would amount to little dragged for four years and cost more American lives than all other wars combined. Narrator Jonathan Davis powerful reading brings to life the many voices of the Civil War.

©2003 James Macpherson (P)2020 Recorded Books, Inc.

Excellent Book

This is a excellent book on the causes and politics of the Civil War. Great detail is covered in the prewar causes and political maneuvering that led up to hostilities. This same kind of detail goes into the two sides dealing with European powers as well as competing factions on their own sides. This is not a book of battles as it only gives a broad overview of the major battles and campaigns. Instead it focuses more on how those battles effected the feeling of the people back home, responses from the politicians, and the commanding generals standing with the troops and people.

No greater comprehensive look at the War exists

For people looking to move past the documentary/high school understanding of the lead up, execution, and aftermath of the war between states, McPherson has constructed one of the most thorough narratives of the root causes of America's transformation in the 19th century.

A must read!

Engrossing context for the civil war and why it happened. The book contains much about the battles that took place, but always in a political, historical, and social context. It delivers ample background, nine chapters, before the war even begins.

Required Reading & Listening

There is no better presentation of this time in U.S. history as McPherson’s account. His presentation of all the background is phenomenal. The book captures various sentiments of that time, but just as concisely, the political situations that need to be exposed. Great read (listen).

Good coverage of period.

The book had a lot of detail about the battles in the various theater of the war and political strategy of both sides. The only complaint I have is that there might be a slight Southern bias. It was often pointed out how clever and brave the rebels were...and the flaws of the Northern army. After a while one expected to hear that the Confederate s had won the Civil War.














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Fantastic book

Captivating, well-written, great narration. As someone on an American history kick, this was really great for diving deep into the Civil War.

Just wow

Incredible job by the author on taking so much information and making it read like a novel. It was engaging and he did a good job simply presenting what happened and the views of the many sides of the north and the more singular side of the south.

Excellent all around

Excellent all around narrative n content. 15 word minimum to post a position, ridiculous requirement

IMHO Excellent overview

I really enjoyed hearing McPherson’s epilogue chapter. He puts into perspective a lot of things that other historians kind of gloss over. His explanation in particular of why the lost cause myth was created was especially fascinating.

Fantastic one volume history of the Civil War

This is a classic book that is still current, provocative, and should be required reading. While there is plenty of military history and battle descriptions in it, I would characterize it more of a political and economic history. As others have noted, the first shot of the civil war doesn’t occur until one quarter of the way through the book. But the whole thing was very interesting and worthwhile. Highly recommend