War, Terrible War

A History of US, Book 6

By: Joy Hakim

Narrated by: Christina Moore

Riveting, moving, and impossible to put down, War, Terrible War takes us into the heart of the Civil War, from the battle of Manassas to the battle of Gettysburg and on to the South's surrender at Appomattox Court House. Follow the common soldiers in blue and gray as they endure long marches, freezing winter camps, and the bloodiest battles ever fought on American soil. Off the war fields, War, Terrible War captures the passion and commitment of abolitionists and slave owners alike in their fiery debates throughout the land. With profiles of Abraham Lincoln, Robert E. Lee, Ulysses S. Grant, John Brown, Harriet Tubman, Jefferson Davis, soldiers on both sides, slave owners, abolitionists, average citizens, and others, War, Terrible War is the compelling story of a people affected by the horrors of war during this tragic and dramatic period in A History of US.A History of US is a 10-volume, award-winning series about the birth and development of the United States. Master storyteller and lifelong student of American history Joy Hakim takes readers from 9 to 99 on a breathtaking journey, from the Ice Age to the 21st century.©1993, 1999, 2003 Joy Hakim (P)2002 Recorded Books, LLC

Civil War history for tweens and teens

My 12 year old and I have really enjoyed this Hakim history series. He actually finds it his preferred listening before bed. Although I was a US history major decades ago, I enjoy re-learning about events in US history. I’ve been encouraging my older son to listen as a way to bone up on US history before he heads off to college.
This installment was especially good. The civil war is such an interesting and sad time in US history, filled with great and memorable stories. Both my son and I learned a lot from it.
In terms of perspective, I think it is fair to say that Hakim has a center left orientation, not dissimilar from the commentary you would see in a PBS documentary or a national park museum. Although I share her politics, it is sometimes a bit disconcerting to me that she digresses into judgments on the beliefs or behaviors encountered. I wonder if that is in part driven by the middle or high school audience and what she perceives as their need for guidance about the events she covers. I would have preferred not to have the commentary, but I think it is a minor flaw.

Hard to navigate, otherwise its great!

The narrator does of wonderful job of reading this book, which is not like any text book from my day. Hakim has a gift for giving life and personality to the past. The crazy thing is that the recording is not divided into chapters or anything that resembles the divisions of the book. You'll waste a lot of time trying to find your place again.

A good read

I enjoyed listening to this book. The narrator reads with feeling, and I came away with what I feel is a good impression of the American Civil War.