So I was bored tonight and ended up watching the first episode of Ken Burn's The Civil War, which I loved when I first saw it years ago and now found it frustratingly shallow in its history. What are some good, comprehensive books that deal with the war, the lead up, and the consequences? Some searches on here show that there's little love for Shelby Foote's books, so I was wondering if there was something more contemporary. Thanks!
Check out Battle Cry of Freedom by James McPherson. Haven't read it personally but my dad is always telling me to read it. You can probably find some interesting reads on Goodreads. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35100.Battle_Cry_of_Freedom
I've worked in many different history departments (joys of adjunct life,) and have never met anyone who didn't base their Civil War lectures on McPherson's Battle Cry of Freedom. Some add bits and pieces here and there, and others turn the focus to other issues, but the 'meat and potatoes' of the lecture is always McPherson.