Suggested Reading
Since the end of the Civil War there has been a book, pamphlet, or flyer written every day. That’s a whole lot of reading! So, we have compiled a list of books that we highly recommend and are some of our favorites!
Most of these books can be found on line at some of these great locations:
www.abebook.com
http://amazon.com/
www.barnesandnobles.com
www.halfpricebooks.com
and sometimes you may find them for sale on e-Bay as well.
If you have any suggestions for our book list, please email us and we shall take it into consideration.
Everyday Life During the Civil War by Michael J. Varhola
Great book for the beginning re-enactor. It highlights all aspects of life, from types of buttons, to currency, to a break down of all the states in the 1860's with their population, number of troops sent, public education, and when they joined the Union.
The Encyclopedia of Civil War Usage by Webb Garrison Dictionary of words and their meanings from the 1860's.
The Civil War Strange and Fascinating Facts by Burke Davis
Unknown facts about the war and it’s more interesting characters.
Textile Designs-Two hundred years of European and American Patterns Organized by Motif, Style, Color, Layout and Period by Susan Meller and Joost Elffers
Great textile reference book, with great colored pictures!
Civil War Civilians by Juanita Leisch
Basic overview of civilian life, with many pictures.
A Woman’s Civil War-A Diary with Reminiscences of the War from March 1862 by Cornella Peake McDonald- edited, with an introduction by Minrose C. Gwin Great Southern woman’s diary of life in Winchester, VA. Talks of the hardships of losing a child, having the Union use her home as a hospital and cannons firing from her back yard, and finally life as a refugee without her husband. Very touching and a great read.
They Fought Like Demons-Women Soldiers in the Civil War by Deanne Blanton and Lauren M. Cook Learn about the hundreds of women who fought in the Civil War disguised as men. A great read with lots of information.
The Civil War Book of Lists -Over 300 Lists -compiled by the editors of Combined Books. For the statistical reader. Learn the average height, weight and eye color of the average soldier. Find out the best and worst generals, or the number of men recruited.
Nurse and Spy in the Union Army by S. Emma E. Edmonds
This is a reprint of the original 1865 book by Sarah Emma Edmonds- aka: Pvt. Frank Thompson. A woman from Canada’s adventures of dressing as a man, and joining the Union army as a nurse, and becoming an important spy to Gen. G. McClellan. Written in 1860's language with many biblical and poetic quotes of the time. A fantastic read even though some of it has been proven fictional.
Dressed for the Photographer-Ordinary Americans and Fashion, 1840-1900 by Joan Severa A fantastic pictorial and written work on fashions from 1840-1900.
Fashions and Costumes from Godey’s Lady’s Book-including 8 Plates in Full Color edited and with an introduction by Stella Blum
Copies from original fashion plates from one of the best publications of the 1860's- Godey’s Lady’s book.
Confederates in the Attic by Tony Horwitz
