Crossroads of Freedom

Antietam

By: James M. McPherson

Narrated by: Nelson Runger

Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times best-selling author James M. McPherson is America's leading Civil War historian. In this powerful book he reconstructs the gripping Battle of Antietam. Compared to the Normandy invasion in World War II, Antietam produced four times as many casualties. It remains the single bloodiest day in the history of American combat.

Through historical newspaper accounts and the personal letters of soldiers, the events leading up to the battle and the battle itself are stunningly recreated. You will enter the mind of Robert E. Lee as he makes the fateful decision to cross the Potomac River and take the offensive. You will feel the frustration of Abraham Lincoln as he struggles to convince George McClellan to fight. And you will stand side-by-side with foot soldiers as the peaceful Maryland countryside explodes into terrifying, unforgettable carnage. In vivid detail and with remarkable insight, McPherson makes a convincing case that Antietam was the "battle that changed the course of the Civil War."

The “Pivotal Moments in American History” series seeks to unite the old and the new history, combining the insights and techniques of recent historiography with the power of traditional narrative. Each title has a strong narrative arc with drama, irony, suspense, and – most importantly – great characters who embody the human dimension of historical events. The general editors of “Pivotal Moments” are not just historians; they are popular writers themselves, and, in two cases, Pulitzer Prize winners: David Hackett Fischer, James M. McPherson, and David Greenberg. We hope you like your American History served up with verve, wit, and an eye for the telling detail!

©2002 James M. McPherson (P)2002 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"McPherson convincingly establishes the Battle of Antietam as the [Civil War]'s pivotal moment militarily, politically, and morally." (Publishers Weekly)
"A fine study." (Library Journal)

Very well done presentation of an important subject. I learned a lot from this book.

I’ve bought more books on the civil war because of this book and my desire to learn all I can on this important subject.

Far beyond the scope of the battle

This excellent book is not a standard battle history of Antietam (called Sharpsburg by the South) -- it is an excellent summary of the war to that point, and why the battle was so important in shaping issues beyond the battlefield. It examines examining the changing moods of both North and South up to that point, their changing expectations, what they were willing to put up with in terms of sacrifice and casualties. There is no sense of inevitability to the North's eventual victory here; the war was at midpoint and at the time a strategic draw. And although Antietam was the single bloodiest day in American history, while not to be ignored, this is hardly its significance. As a Union victory, it gave Lincoln the political capital to finally issue the Emancipation Proclamation freeing the slaves in the Southern states. This changed the war decisively, rendering it a battle for and against slavery that it hadn't explicitly been to that point. For this reason it also foreclosed the possibility of any European recognition of the South, which was quite eminent and perhaps the South's closest means of drawing the war to a close in its favor.

In addition to these strategic issues, McPherson is also quite good at drawing out several personalities involved in the battle. Lincoln's difficult balance in withholding his Emancipation Proclamation without some tangible Union success is explained thoroughly, some generals are described, various European reactions are explored -- but the character one remembers most is the ambivalent general of the Army of the Potomac, McClellan. It is an excellent study of failings and success in command, and failings and success in character.

A nice civil war read

If you are looking for a long and detailed analysis of the battle of Antietam then this is not the book. But I enjoyed the analysis of the early phases of the civil war and the crtical juncture Antietam was. The author does a nice job telling the story and even the ending provides yet another good summary of what happens after the battle.

Antietam in its Sociopolitical Constellation

Solid wave top narrative of the campaign and battle and the political environment it took place and its reverberations.

Great way to help your kid with a project

Before this, I knew very little about the Civil War. I had no idea how close the North came to losing to the South. I must have slept through that portion of my schooling. My boy needed to do a project on the Civil War for his History class, and this book was a quick listen and learn about the war and this pivotal battle. I was able to listen to it while skiing down the slopes Up North, and come to his aid as he completed his project. The author, James MacPherson, is one of the most respected historians on the Civil War, and the information in this work is encyclopedic, but fascinating. The audiobook narrator kept it interesting and alive for me. No regrets at all.

good review of history

I enjoy Civil War history and this book is no exception to the thorough study I would expect of this author. The reader is very good and the outline of the battle and surrounding events leading up to the engagement is well researched. I would recommend this to Civil War buffs and plan to read more by this same author.

Detailed political analysis of Antietam and result

Another great book for history nerds... and I mean nerds! McPherson analyses the tactical and strategic decisions made by McClellan, Lincoln and many other Leaders within both international and domestic contexts. I appreciate this book because of the detail. Other, very worthy books cover Antietam as part of the overall Civil War but this book is a microscope focused only on that trajectory inflecting battle. Note: for anyone wishing to add to the reasons to despise Gen McClellan, this book is for you. "Little Napoleon" was at best an egotistic bumbler; at worst, a Confederate sympathizer.

Another excellent McPherson!

If you could sum up Crossroads to Freedom in three words, what would they be?

Detail, detail, detail!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Crossroads to Freedom?

Overriding evidence regarding McClelland's murderous ego. Pathologic.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Nelson Runger?

Not my favorite narrator. I won't NOT get a book narrated by him but .. Well, not my favorite.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Antietam is a tragedy. McClelland's lack of expertise and just plain old courage made this a tragedy.

Any additional comments?

I recommend this book.

Excellent read

I really enjoyed how this book helped bring focus on why the battle at Antietam was a pivotal moment in the American Civil War. Obviously the death toll makes it significant, but the author really helps the reader understand the greater significance of the politics surrounding that victory.

Good research

Great study of Antietam battle or Sharpsburg, Maryland 9/17/1862 by a respected historian, James M. McPherson. Gives a balanced account od the conflict. -JHR