Two Civil War Books

I am quickly becoming a Civil War nerd. I mean, after all, I am writing a book that era, so why not buy books and find fun collection items? ;)  My reviews for both of these books are short, but that's because there really was so much information to process from them. I took steady notes the whole time I read them both (plus got some great story ideas...). They were both worth the read to me.

The 18th Missouri

It took me a few months to read this, just because I'm a slow reader when it comes to processing information and taking notes. But I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the 18th Missouri regiment! It covered more of an overview of the regiment, but occasionally honed in to different soldiers or officers. Starting at the very beginning of the regiment's formation, the book satisfactorily ended with an epilogue of sorts with a brief overview of various soldiers' lives after the war('til death).

Being a war book, there are definitely some gruesome tales as well as men taking God's Name in vain. I didn't notice many curse words (I was expecting more in a secular war book).

About the Book
Gives a history of the Union 18th Missouri Infantry from its formation in July 1861 to its muster-out in July 1865. The book uses first hand accounts such as letters and diaries.

Buy the Book on Amazon

Civil War Journal of a Union Soldier

I thoroughly enjoyed this book!! If you want an inside-look at a soldier's life during the Civil War, this is it. From the rations to weather to casualties, a very thorough review of daily life was covered.

This book is invaluable to me as an author and I will definitely reference back to it.

About the Book

Harmon Camburn signed up for duty as a Union soldier two weeks after the first shots were fired in the Civil War. He served for the next three years, fighting in both Battles of Bull Run and other skirmishes of the War Between the States. His tour of duty ended with a shot through his lung and capture by Confederate soldiers. Fortunately, he survived his wounds and wrote about his time in the Union army. His great granddaughter, P.C. Zick, presents this journal along with additional annotations about the war in general. The journal weaves a tragic and compelling tapestry of war from the view at its center. Mr. Camburn's sardonic and realistic view of war is worth remembering.

From the day of his enlistment in the Army in April 1861 in Adrian, Michigan, to his final days in the service of the army near Knoxville, Tennessee, the journal provides insight into the minutiae of a soldier's life, from what they ate to the somewhat unorthodox method of obtaining food. It shows the horror of the battlefield to the joys of simply having the sun shine after days of rain.

Here is a personal account of war and all its sundry causes and effects from the eyes of a man who fought it.

Buy the Book on Amazon