Have you ever wondered about the impact of Civil War to people? Based on the destruction and death that it caused, it has truly affected thousands of lives until today. The descendants of both people that witnessed the horrors of the war and people that were killed are definitely aware of how the Civil War changes their bloodline’s fate.
War stories, like all other tales, didn’t sit in the corner and continue to chill. Instead, they are being told from generations to generations. That is why there are literary works that revolve around it aiming to educate people about the Civil War and create a big impact on the readers’ lives. With that being said, listed below are some of the best Civil War fiction books to check-out.
The March by E.L. Doctorow
In 2005, the historical fiction written by E.L. Doctorow called The March was published by Random House. The setting of the story is during the late 1864 and early 1865, which is close to the end of the American Civil War. The March tells the story of, based on its title, the march of troops headed by General William Tecumseh Sherman. General Sherman marches his 60,000 soldiers along the center of South America, specifically from Atlanta to Savannah. They have cut 96 kilometers-wide damage of dismantling in their wake. The outcome of General Sherman’s command to settle in the area didn’t go well. The troops created havoc by ransacking houses, robbing cattles, burning produces, and enticing a troublesome group of homeless freed slaves and refuges. Moreover, it was awarded with the 2006 PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction and 2005 National Book Critics Circle Award/Fiction.
The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane
The first edition of The Red Badge by Stephen Crane was published in 1895. The story is set during the American Civil War and revolves around Henry Fleming, a part of the Union Army. Fleming is a young private who escapes from the battlefield. Filled with embarrassment, he wished for a wound — a red badge of courage, in order to stall on his gutlessness. So, the moment his force battled their enemy for the second time, the young private serves as the flag bearer. What made the novel notable is how it showcases both realism and naturalism, even though the author didn’t experienced fighting in the war. The book was adapted into many films. One of the great adaptations of it is the movie with the same title as the novel that starred Audie Murphy and was directed by John Huston.
Angels and Mysteries and Incredible Happenings in the Wild Wild West by Irv Lampman
New Man Springs Publishing published Angels and Mysteries and Incredible Happenings in the Wild Wild West by Irv Lampman in March 18, 2019. The author dedicated the book to the memory of Winston Whitform whom he expressed his gratitude for the eternal friendship. Furthermore, Angels and Mysteries and Incredible Happenings in the Wild Wild West specifically retell the events about Angelic interference. The book, moreover, took inspiration from the author’s brilliant Grandma Patton. When he was still young, his grandmother always tells him awesome stories of the American Civil War.
Gods and Generals, The Civil War Trilogy book 1 by Jeff Shaara
In 1996, Ballantine Books published the first book of The Civil War trilogy which is Gods and Generals. It is the masterpiece of Jeff Shaara that was followed by the Pulitzer Prize winner The Killer Angels in 1974. It is categorized under historical civil war fiction. Gods and Generals, furthermore, came into view after the authors’ father died in 1988. The book contains events that are relevant during the American Civil War, specifically in 1858-1863. The story highlights significant officials of the two armies, which are General Robert E. Lee, Major General Winfield Scott Hancock, Lt. Gen. Thomas J. Jackson, and Lieutenant Colonel Joshua Chamberlain. The book was adapted into film later on. It was Ronald F. Maxwell who directed the film adaptation and was starred by Robert Duvall and Jeff Daniels. Gods and Generals was awarded with the W.Y. Boyd Literary Award for Excellence in Military Fiction by the American Library Association during the year 1997.
Oliver’s Twist 