SKU: 63831493756

Drawn with the Sword: Reflections on the American Civil War

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Drawn with the Sword: Reflections on the American Civil WarJames M. McPherson is acclaimed as one of the finest historians writing today and a preeminent commentator on the Civil War. Battle Cry of Freedom, his Pulitzer Prize winning account of that conflict, was a national bestseller that Hugh Brogan, in The New York Times, called "history writing of the highest order." Now, in Drawn With the Sword, McPherson offers a series of thoughtful and engaging essays on some of the most enduring questions of the

James M. McPherson is acclaimed as one of the finest historians writing today and a preeminent commentator on the Civil War. Battle Cry of Freedom, his Pulitzer Prize-winning account of that conflict, was a national bestseller that Hugh Brogan, in The New York Times, called "history writing of the highest order." Now, in Drawn With the Sword, McPherson offers a series of thoughtful and engaging essays on some of the most enduring questions of the Civil War, written in the masterful prose that has become his trademark.

Filled with fresh interpretations, puncturing old myths and challenging new ones, Drawn With the Sword explores such questions as why the North won and why the South lost (emphasizing the role of contingency in the Northern victory), whether Southern or Northern aggression began the war, and who really freed the slaves, Abraham Lincoln or the slaves themselves. McPherson offers memorable portraits of the great leaders who people the landscape of the Civil War: Ulysses S. Grant, struggling to write his memoirs with the same courage and determination that marked his successes on the battlefield; Robert E. Lee, a brilliant general and a true gentleman, yet still a product of his time and place; and Abraham Lincoln, the leader and orator whose mythical figure still looms large over our cultural landscape. And McPherson discusses often-ignored issues such as the development of the Civil War into a modern "total war" against both soldiers and civilians, and the international impact of the American Civil War in advancing the cause of republicanism and democracy in countries from Brazil and Cuba to France and England. Of special interest is the final essay, entitled "What's the Matter With History?," a trenchant critique of the field of history today, which McPherson describes here as "more and more about less and less." He writes that professional historians have abandoned narrative history written for the greater audience of educated general readers in favor of impenetrable tomes on minor historical details which serve only to edify other academics, thus leaving the historical education of the general public to films and television programs such as Glory and Ken Burns's PBS documentary The Civil War.

Each essay in Drawn With the Sword reveals McPherson's own profound knowledge of the Civil War and of the controversies among historians, presenting all sides in clear and lucid prose and concluding with his own measured and eloquent opinions. Readers will rejoice that McPherson has once again proven by example that history can be both accurate and interesting, informative and well-written. Mark Twain wrote that the Civil War "wrought so profoundly upon the entire national character that the influence cannot be measured short of two or three generations." In Drawn With the Sword, McPherson gracefully and brilliantly illuminates this momentous conflict.


Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Published: 12/01/1997
ISBN: 9780195117967
Pages: 272
Weight: 0.65lbs
Size: 8.00h x 5.30w x 0.80d
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SKU: 63831493756

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Brooke
West Palm Beach, US
★★★★★ 5
Surviving flames and igniting their own!
Format: Kindle
Wowsa! Need a minute to calm the racing heart. Loved Luke , Beckett and Hunter....loved little Charlie.....and loved Ali! Just a whole lot of sizzling rolled into an amazing story. Good grief. Gonna go read the bonus scene now!
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Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2026
K
Kimie611
Cuba, US
★★★★★ 4
Fast paced spicy read.
Format: Kindle
Luke owns a winery. His best friends Beckett and Hudson are helping him with the business, but he still needs help with his 4 year old son, Charlie. Ali is supposed to be applying to art school, but she is blocked. She hasn’t been able to find her creativity, so she interviews for a nanny position. Instantly, she finds herself attracted to Luke and Beckett, and falls in love with Charlie. Even after a disastrous interview, the guys find something intriguing about her and offer her the position. She has no choice to take the position because a wildfire quickly cuts off her route. Ali falls into a comfortable pattern with the guys. Taking care of Charlie, helping save the winery and growing closer to the guys. It doesn’t take long before she finds herself wrapped up with all the guys any chance they get. And surprisingly, she finds herself painting once again. Along the way, the guys help her realize that she truly belongs with them. The sexy times were hot with a few sexy surprises. The story was well written. It was a quick, spiced read.
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Reviewed in the United States on September 9, 2025
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Verified Purchase
vicky
Draper, US
★★★★★ 5
Be prepared to be drawn in and captivated!
Format: Kindle
Three strong handsome men and an adorable little boy in need of a nanny. A nanny who finds everything she needed for her home. A wildfire burning out of control threatens everything. Fighting to save his vineyard and protect his family. Taking steps to help the community as it starts to recover from the disaster.
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Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2025
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❤️ 2read
Charlottesville, US
★★★★★ 3
Ali and the guys
Format: Kindle
The story of a lost art student that needs direction. Decides to nanny for a winery owner and his best friends/employees. Fires and lockdowns happen and relationships start. Lots of spice sometimes a little too much I found myself skimming over the parts. Happy ending
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Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2026
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MS. SHAWN M. LINDSAY
Massapequa, US
★★★★★ 5
Artist Inspiration
Format: Kindle
Ali Fairfax is a twenty-seven year old painter. She is going to an interview for a job as a nanny. She wants to go to art college but has no portfolio pieces to submit. For the last year, her mind goes blank the second she picks up a brush. The nanny interview is at Ashford Winery. Luke Ashford has a son named Charlie who is almost five. Beckett Montgomery is one of Luke’s best friends and he helps Luke run the winery. Hunter Jones is Luke’s other best friend and he is the marketing director for the winery. The men have been running the winery for the last year or so. Charlie likes Ali and so does Luke, so he hires her. Charlie is into reptiles and he also makes Ali make a grilled cheese sandwich for his snack. Hunter comes in the kitchen to tell them that the winds have shifted and there are wildfires nearby. All the roads in or out of the valley are closed down for now. Ali is stuck at the winery with the men and Charlie. Interesting dynamic between the three best friends. I loved that being stuck at the winery inspired Ali to start painting again. I enjoyed the story. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2025

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