I could anything to what you already know!

The stellar conclusion to the excellent Centennial History of the Civil War. This was the best of the three volumes, in terms of scope, detail, and other choices the author had to make. It continues the improved production of the second volume in terms of the maps which a a requisite for a series like this. Of course, I still wished there were more maps as the publisher never seems to include enough.

While reading this volume I often found myself wishing that more detail had been included about some battles and campaigns, and again realized the types of choices an author of this series must make. As we know, there are separate volumes written by subsequent historians about individual battles, and including more details would only increase the length of the volume, and the author would have include more details in previous volumes so the entire series would be worse.

Anyway, anyone wanting to read one author's take on the U. S. Civil War I highly recommend Bruce Catton. (In fact, I plan to read his great series on the Army of the Potomac again sometime this coming year.

Even though in general I consider the end of the Civil War to be a best case scenario (which the author agrees with), there is a sense of melancholy about the end of this particular book.  A large part of that melancholy comes from the framing of this particular book, as the author examines what could have been, one gets the feeling that melancholy is probably the best response one can have to so shattering a struggle, especially because the author brings up the problem of racism and points out that just as the freedom of the black from slavery became inevitable that a great many politicians were already seeking to defend racial privilege and build political coalitions that would later be responsible for the long endurance of Jim Crow laws and separate and equal.  I suppose it is the recognition that just as the Civil War was winding down a different kind of fight was beginning that made me feel melancholy at least, as it demonstrated Catton's essential humanity and respect for the dignity of others and the tragic strain that runs through American history regarding the difficulty people have in squaring their own longings for freedom with respect for the freedom of others, something that still troubles us.

This book of nearly 500 pages is divided into seven chapters that cover the Civil War between Fredericksburg and its close.  We begin with a look at the politics of war and the slaughter that took place in Virginia and Tennessee during the end of 1862, when shattering fights ended in stalemate.  After that the author explores the period in early 1863 where the practical effects of Emancipation began to be an issue and where Grant's efforts at bypassing the strategic problem of Vicksburg led Pemberton to make errors that Grant would exploit soon.  The third chapter then looks at the remorseless revolutionary struggle that was being waged in the Civil War, and the battles at Charleston, Chancellorsville, the Vicksburg campaign, and Gettysburg.  After that the author discusses the struggle with racial equality and the battles of Chickamauga and Chattanooga.  The fifth chapter looks at questions of impossibilities, and examines Lincoln's Gettysburg Address and the budding partnership between Grant and Lincoln that would be decisive in leading to Union victory, even as the politicians struggled over amnesty and citizenship for blacks.  After that the author spends a chapter discussing the campaigns of 1864, including the various sideshows and the attacks towards Atlanta and Richmond, including Butler's failed efforts on the Penninsula and the Democratic platform of 1864.  The last chapter looks at the final months of war and the ultimate Union victory and the weariness that resulted from it, as well as the longing to put the pieces back together again and reunite.

Although writing about the Civil War is certainly familiar ground for the author, who was among the most prolific narrative historians of his time, this book does distinguish itself from other volumes by spending a great deal of attention on the political and social aspects of the Civil War.  Far from focusing only on great men and battles, Catton's interest in the Civil War in the first place sprang from his friendship with elderly Union veterans when he was growing up as a boy in Michigan, and this book demonstrates his interest in the influence between war and society in a way that was ahead of his time.  In this volume, and over and over again, the author shows himself deeply sensitive to the question of what would be done to further the interests of justice both to ordinary citizens as well as freed black slaves who faced a great deal of discrimination and racism in both north and south.  And even as the Civil War ended and soldiers went home to try to pick up the pieces of their lives, the author leaves the reader with the awareness that justice was still a long way off and that the shattering and revolutionary realities of the war would linger on for a very long time, to the present-day even.

good book.

Volume Three of Catton’s Civil War historical trilogy maintains the level of excellence of the first two. A lot of books have been written about the battles of the Civil, as if the armies stood around for weeks or months, then randomly decided to fight. Catton ties together the military, political, and social considerations in a series that brings as much sense as can be derived from such a universal cluster. Released in 1965, looking back 100 years, some of the parallels to what’s going on today are eerie.

"Never Call Retreat" by Bruce Catton is a masterful conclusion to his trilogy on the American Civil War. Catton's vivid storytelling and insightful analysis once again shine through, offering readers a captivating account of the war's final chapters. From the decisive battles to the political maneuvering behind the scenes, Catton weaves a seamless narrative that brings to life the drama and complexity of this pivotal period in American history. With meticulous research and a deep understanding of the era, Catton delivers a compelling exploration of the personalities and events that shaped the outcome of the conflict. "Never Call Retreat" is a fitting tribute to the courage and sacrifice of those who fought in the Civil War, and a testament to Catton's enduring legacy as one of the preeminent historians of his time.

5 stars for the trilogy as a whole. It took over a year to finish all 3 books, but was well worth the effort.

Catton's classic Civil War trilogy. Almost all of Catton's books are good, and they're a good starting point for diving into Civil War history. Some of conclusions are dated, however.

The final volume of Bruce Catton's Centennial History of the Civil War traces the war from Fredericksburg through the succeeding grim and relentless campaigns to the Courthouse at Appomattox and the death of Lincoln.

A bit of a slog but I understand much more about the Civil War and especially Lincoln now.

Potentially factually thin in a couple of places (George Thomas messing up a map? Really?) and perhaps a little too generous of spirit toward many of the generals, but still an absolutely elegant read.

Well-written, full of detail. Bruce Catton pulls reseach from everywhere and distills it into a canvas. His words paint gloriously detailed pictures of the scenes from the War between the States, as you read you are treated to all aspects of life--the soldiers view, the politics, each General's view, the view of the commoner, all woven into a marvelous tapestry! Everything written by Bruce Catton is solid gold.