audiobook Living Hell: The Dark Side of the Civil War by Michael C. C. Adams in History

Review

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. whether its the Great War that we are currently "celebrating" or on-going contemporary ...By NigelA much overdue narrative on the reality of war and starkly confronts the sanitised myths around glory and honour of combat; soldiering and war. Although focussed upon the American Civil War; it's relevant to warfare in general; whether its the Great War that we are currently "celebrating" or on-going contemporary wars.With regards to the Civil War in particular; it brought home to me how totally dysfunctional US politics was in the mid 19th century and that no way could be found to resolve conflicts / interests other than to plunge the nation into such a bloody abyss that took the best part of a century to resolve. Indeed as the author mentions parts of the US have never fully recovered from the war.The more people who read books like this the fewer innocents will meet violent ends fighting senseless wars.46 of 47 people found the following review helpful. real hellBy david l. porembaThis book should come with a warning label stating that the contents is not suitable for those in ignorance of the realities of war. Professor Adams presents an informed look into the vortex of hell – the unvarnished truth of the effects of war on both soldiers and civilians. Using contemporary sources; he illustrates the contrast between the new recruit and the combat veteran and their perspective on duty before and after “seeing the elephant”. He discusses the realities of camp life; the problems with cleanliness; poor diet; sickness and disease. We all see the numbers in the casualty column and how the deaths from disease outweighs by as much as two to one the combat deaths; in this book we begin to see why these statistics are so skewed. Adams also discusses the combat numbers; but in terms of the slaughter produced by the tactics of the day; followed by the impossibility of cleaning up the battlefields where thousands lay bloating in the sun; the stench being too terrible to imagine; finally;there is discussion of the psychological effects of all this on; not only the men in uniform; but civilians as well – women and children who find themselves in the direct path of the storm; as well as those who chose to nurse the sick and wounded.This book is a well researched; well written look down the rabbit hole of the Civil War as it was; not how we have come to imagine and glorify it. It should be required reading at the academies; staff colleges and on the Hill.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. See the War Through the Eyes of Those Who Experienced ItBy KJAGThe book does well to crystallize the war's horrors; deprivations; and suffering from the observations of those who were there; including loved ones back home and civilians; during and after the war.The author does follow up in making a thought-provoking case about how the lessons and costs of war were quickly forgotten on subsequent generations. Although he doesn't make comparisons to modern society; the details are probably not lost on those who question the logic behind the Iraq War; particularly after the U.S. experience in Vietnam. The author also delves into how the war changed society and how it still impacts the U.S. in ways today.A handful of reviewers have criticized the book because it doesn't conform to their extreme political views; but If you're primarily interested in better understanding the Civil War from those who lived and experienced it and its aftermath; I don't think you'll be disappointed.The book was well researched; but I do feel it could have been better organized/structured. It sometimes felt as though there was not a clear separation or transition from one subject to another; with thoughts and material seeming to run together. The inclusion of representative photographs/images would have made the book better. I also agree with one reviewer in that there is little evidence that Union officers put black soldiers in harms way to reduce white casualties. The "crater" at Petersburg was most notable because of the failure of the inept Union officer in charge to quickly follow up and exploit the breach after the blast; allowing the Confederates time to recover and shoot down upon Union soldiers (black and white) before they could climb out of the crater--and because for the black soldiers that were inside the crater; a number of Confederates chose to shoot many who tried to surrender.