The Early Morning of War: Bull Run, 1861 (Campaigns and Commanders Series)

By: Edward G. Longacre

Narrated by: Aaron Killian

When Union and Confederate forces squared off along Bull Run on July 21, 1861, the Federals expected this first major military campaign would bring an early end to the Civil War. But when Confederate troops launched a strong counterattack, both sides realized the war would be longer and costlier than anticipated. First Bull Run, or First Manassas, set the stage for four years of bloody conflict that forever changed the political, social, and economic fabric of the nation. It also introduced the commanders, tactics, and weaponry that would define the American way of war through the turn of the twentieth century.

This crucial campaign receives its most complete and comprehensive treatment in Edward G. Longacre’s The Early Morning of War. A magisterial work by a veteran historian, The Early Morning of War blends narrative and analysis to convey the full scope of the campaign of First Bull Run—its drama and suspense as well as its practical and tactical underpinnings and ramifications. Also woven throughout are biographical sketches detailing the backgrounds and personalities of the leading commanders and other actors in the unfolding conflict.

Longacre has combed previously unpublished primary sources, including correspondence, diaries, and memoirs of more than four hundred participants and observers, from ranking commanders to common soldiers and civilians affected by the fighting.

The book is published by University of Oklahoma Press.

“Edward Longacre has applied his considerable skills as a biographer to a vivid piece of American history, injecting humanity and fresh insight to the story of the Civil War's first major battle.” (John Hennessy, author of Return to Bull Run)

"Extensively researched and full of fresh insights and information… offers a remarkably thorough, highly readable account…" (Ethan S. Rafuse, author of McClellan's War)

©2014 University of Oklahoma Press (P)2017 Redwood Audiobooks

Best book of this early battle

It was a great telling of this early battle. It captures all elements of the campaign for the north and the south. Now we need a second Bull Run book to come out on audible! Narration was great. Couldn’t have been any better.

highly recommend

Thorough, balanced.. good mix of tactical detail and human interest. Not over focused on Jackson origin..which is a good thing

any student of history will like this

well written easy to listen to
narration was excellent
a good history of first Manassas

an accessible and judicious look at the first manassas campaign.

the tactical detail was generally clear. overall the judgments made were fair minded and thoughtful. more than usual focus on the Shenandoah end of the campaign.

This is a history book not a children’s story book.

The narrator’s use of voices has no place in a history book. The attempt at multiple character voices especially those of Southern background made the experience almost cartoonish. The accents and speech patterns were over exaggerated in an attempt to convey multiple characters. This was very distracting and cheapened the overall feel. This is probably my number one gripe with audio books. Had it not been for that, I’d have given the book a 5/5 in all three categories.

great book despite..

was diappointed with authors apparent civil war view...rather than the truth that it was a war of Northern aggression that it was...his use of Rebel rather than Confederate as well as his conclusion demonstrates his northern subjective view of the moral superiority of the invaion of sovereign states...

Winning the battle is not winning the war.

liked it very informative, too bad the wrong side won. so why does a review need to be 15 words lond anyway?

Interesting story, poor performance.

Biggest turn off is the reader’s attempt to dramatize the story by using a unrealistic southern accent.