James River Publications - Other Civil War Books

Civil War Books of Interest not Germaine to a Certain Military Unit

- there is so much demand for Civil War information that I have decided to add a special webpage dedicated to new books being published that covers various realms of the American Civil War. Publishers and authors are welcome to send review copies to be added here as thousands will be viewing this page. Send review copies to: James River Publications, 102 Maple Lane, Williamsburg, VA 23185-8106

"Southerners at Rest: Confederate Dead at Hollywood Cemetery," by Chris Ferguson - signed/personalized copies available through AVP website. An updated roster of the 14,000+ Confederate soldiers buried in the South’s most beautiful cemetery located in Richmond, Virginia. This is the first comprehensive and accurate roster of Hollywood’s Confederate dead compiled by war records expert Chris Ferguson. Foreword by Robert E. L. Krick, 2 Richmond National Park Service historian 8.5 x 11 Hardback, 336 pages, 103 photos [many never published before] Available from ANGLE VALLEY PRESS, P.O. BOX 4098, WINCHESTER, VA. 22604 WWW.ANGLEVALLEYPRESS I have personally reviewed this superb well researched book by Chris Ferguson and recommend it as an addition to one Civil War Library, by Ron Mosocco, the owner of this website.

Apprentice Killers - the War of Lincoln and Davis," by James M. Ridgway, Jr. 464 pages, softback, originally published in 2002 by PublishAmerica, Inc. PO.O. Box 151,. Frederick, MD 21705. Cost of $ 29.95, plus $ 2.00 shipping. You can order by calling 877-333-7422 or visiting their website at http://www.publishamerica.com "In 1975, Michael Shaara wrote the ever popular Pulitzer Prize-winning book, "The Killer Angels." Shaara presented the epic three day Battle of Gettysburg as seen through the eyes of some half-dozen of its, mostly, major participants. Apprentice Killers: The War of Lincoln and Davis employs a similiar technique to that of Shaara as it relates to the American Civil War in total. In Apprentice Killers we see the war unfold though the conflicting emotional outlook of six of its primary players: Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses Simpson Grant, George Brinton McClellan from the Northern Side and Jefferson Davis, Robert Edward Lee and Joseph Eggelston Johnston from the Southern Side. While Shaara wrote in norrative style, it is, nevertheless, a style that invokes a strong novelistic flavor of emotion to tell the story of America's most dangerous period." Mr. Ridgway raises many points of interest of the major players in the Civil War - adding his own thoughts and beliefs you may not agree with all or some of them, he nevertheless brings to the table in his epic book, much thought provoking issues that these main players were plagued with and had to deal with in their own way. Some subtly, others more openly. Pickup a copy today. You can't go wrong." Reviewed by Ronald A. Mosocco, the owner of this website. (click here to view frontcover) (click here to view backcover )

"Between Two Worlds," by Phillip Ellis Jackson. 245 pages, softback, originally published in 2001 by America House Book Publishers -Cost of $ 19.95, plus shipping. You can order by visiting the author's website at: http://www.scifi-jackson.com "Well, this is the first fictional book on the Civil War that I have added to my website. And perhaps I should and there may be many more to come! Phillip Jackson brings to the Civil War something other than the run of the mill informational repetoir we have come to expect. Blending science fiction with fact (well, perhaps fact becomes distorted at times) he nevertheless brings a breath of fresh air to us looking to expand our interest in the American Civil War. Quite interesting and fascinating, take this book on your vacation to the beach; carry it up to your private study and close the door for some personal time with his book's characters. Whatever your situation may be, take time to enjoy his novel and you may just put it down and relish the time you just had with Paul Thorndyke, Quentin Cottle, Tobias Raikhel and others." Reviewed by Ronald A. Mosocco, the owner of this website. (click here to view frontcover) (click here to view backcover )

"Hard Breathing Days - The Civil War Letters of Cora Beach Benton, Albion, New York - 1862-1865," transcribed and researched by Thomas R. Taber. "From the moment I unwrapped my review copy, I became enthralled with this book. I was taken aback by the monumental effort Mr. Taber has exerted in bringing to market such a fine and exceptionally well researched and organized story of the Civil War Life "back home."

The author was able to obtain in July, 1997 approximately 160 letters written from September 1862 to June 1865 by Cora Beach Benton to her husband "Charlie." [Also included are several additional letters Tom was able to obtain that were believed to had been lost forever "to the ages." I am sure Tom was ecstactic when these letters were uncovered!]

Oliver Charles "Charlie" Benton enlisted in the 17th New York Volunteer Independent Light Artillery, August, 1862, returning home for good (after one short furlough) on Friday, June 16th, 1865, after his battery was mustered out of service at Richmond, Va on June 12, 1865. Physically intact, it was Cora who wrote encouraging and challenging Charlie's mental fitness to "see this thing through."

The uniqueness of this book is that Charlie kept all these letters that Cora wrote. This is quite extraordinary as it was normally the other way around where the soldier in the field wrote home about his experiences; the wife or mother cherishing those letters written from the field. We must thank Charlie for saving all these letters he received from home for us and future generations to enjoy and appreciate.

These letters are unique enough, but are full of enough information to be able to fill up a 512 page hardback book!

Included in the author's outstanding research is a street map of Civil War Albion, New York, which designates such detailed analysis as to where relatives lived, and the streets where Churches, stores, etc. that are all talked about throughout the book. He has dutifully included numerous photos, many of members of the valiant 17th Independent Battery. Included is a bibliography, an unbelievable 24 page index and glossary of numerous individuals and THEIR stories whether they fought with the 17th or were from Albion, NY, or were relatives, friends, important folks from Albion, NY, etc. I found this in itself worthy to buy this book! Coupled with another 8 pages of Biographical Sketches of members of the 17th New York Light Artillery, as well as a fascinating epilogue of one of their sons, George W. Benton make this book superb!

If you are interested in this book, bear in mind that this is not a regimental history.

But Mr. Taber has raised the bar in Civil War books coming to print. Unike so many before who simply purchase a Civil War collection and publish them, Tom has 'gone the distance,' done his homework, and made this a truly worthwhile addition to your Civil War libary - add this book to your collection as it brings home how a wife of a regular soldier felt and wrote to her husband. You will come to know Cora [and her sister wives of the American Civil War] and how everyday life was - from enjoyment to sorrow - back home. You will be taken aback by Cora's personality - quite strong and independent and not afraid to put her thoughts to pen, as she has to deal with raising and tending to her family, deaths [and marriages and births] of friends, relatives and neighbors, etc. as well as their home while her husband is off fighting to preserve the Union. Without knowing if Charlie would return, laying her head down at the end of the day, but having the strength to write regularly to her distant loved one with an stiff upper lip.

I usually limit my review to concise unbiased summarazation. This review has exceeded the norm. But then again, this book goes past the norm. Buy Tom's book!

ISBN 0-9726766-00, published by Almeron Press, 344 West State Street, Albion, NY 14411. Cost of this 500 plus page bardback book is $ 36.00 With only 700 copies from this first edition, buy yours now, before they are all gone! You can contact the author directly now at Tom Taber."Reviewed by Ronald A. Mosocco, the owner of this website.

"Shelby Foote - A Writer's Life," by C. Stuart Chapman. Published in 2003 by the University Press of Mississippi ISBN 1-57806-359-0 (Hardback 317 pages, cloth, alkaline paper).With acknowledgements, notes, extensive index and photographs.

Borrowing from the Library Journal--"Shelby Foote, born 1916, was first thrust into the limelight as the enchanting Southern gentleman historian retelling the history of the Civil War in Ken Burns' PBS elegant Series. As Massachusetts State House Aide Chapman reminds us in this biography, such fame eluded Foote during most of his life. He draws on interviews with Foote and letters between Foote and numerous correspondents, including novelist Walker Percy. Using this access, Chapman chronicles Foote's life from his birth into a family of Mississippi Delta gentry to his days as the cocksure editor of a lauded high schoool paper and his failed college career at the University of North Carolina. At the time, Foote considered himself primarily a novelist, and Chapman captures the writer's elation over the success of his first two novels, Shiloh and Follow Me Down. He follows Foote through a period of struggle and then narrates the 20 years during which Foote sequestered himself to write his greatest success, The Civil War: A Narrative.

Chapman peruasively points out that although Foote opposed the segregationist policies of George Wallace and others, he preferred to lose himself in the past as he wrote the Civil War trilogy. Given its unrestricted access to the author and his papers, as well as its evenhanded insight, this is bound to become the definitive biography. For all libraries." Henry L. Carrigan Jr. Lancaster, Pa, writing for the prestigious Library Jounral...

"The author, C. Stuart Chapman, is currently the Press Secretary for the reknown Congresswoman Barbara Leeook, and it is quite evident that with his credentials and background, he is apt at comprising the ultimate biography on the most well-known American Civil War author of our times. Mr. Chapman eliquently tells the story of Shelby Foote. To understand and appreciate one of the best minds and authors on the Civil War of our times, I highly recommend you add a copy of this book to your Civil War Library before they are gone. Reviewed by Ronald A. Mosocco, the owner of this website. Book costs $ 30.00 where available.

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