Tracing North American Exploration from Balboa to Lewis and Clark; Devoto tells in a classic fashion how the drama of discovery defined the American nation. The Course of Empire is the third volume in historian Bernard Devoto’s monumental trilogy of the West. Entertaining and incisive; this is the dramatic story of three hundred years of exploration of North America leading up to 1805.
#38720 in Books Foote; Shelby 1986-11-12 1986-11-12Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.20 x 1.70 x 6.40l; 2.51 #File Name: 0394746236856 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. It's beautifully written and we'll worth the readBy ronnie walkerFantastically well written. The amount of effort it took to compile the information; and the artist's ability to portray this epic in smooth lyrical prose is nothing short of stellar. Foote focuses on the physical aspect of the war and only refers to the political landscape as it pertains to the war itself. In addition he only dips his toe into the slavery issue. Which in essence eliminates this grand work from being definitive. I appreciate the work for what is. It's about war. It's about fighting. It's beautifully written and we'll worth the read.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Shelby Foote's Civil War TrilogyBy DLUI will write the same review for all three of the late Shelby Foote's three volume set history of the American Civil War.If you saw the Ken Burns PBS series on the Civil War you saw the man with a twinkle in his eye as he told you a story about one of the many events that constituted the war. His gentlemanly charm and an occasional twinkle in his text makes for fine reading. Do keep in mind that there are different opinions about many of the topics Shelby writes. Some compare him to Bruce Catton a noted historian of a slightly earlier age who won plaudits for his tomes on the war.But having read Catton; Foote; and others I am convinced that they have something to offer as we try to understand what really happened and why many things did happen during the course of a war where a nation fought both to stay together and to tear itself apart.Foote's volumes are a read so be prepared for hours of enjoyment of reading the captured discource of a uniquely talented man.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. EXCELLENT !!!By clifI have never been a "Military Buff"; or a Civil War Enthusiasts; at all; in my life. However; someone told me that these books were a fantastic Narrative History; and that Shelby Foote's History was the most influential and authoritative for the Twentieth Century in studying the Civil War. I was also told that his style of writing history changed and influenced how history was written after they were published. I don't know if any of that is true. But; I love to read (I have my whole life) and have been voracious about it since I was a little kid-- Shelby Foote's; Civil War (all three volumes) are by far; my favorite books I have ever read. I never thought I would say that about a History book/s. They were so Good the first time I read them in Hard back form that when I finished the Third volume; I started reading volume One again. When I saw they were available in electronic version I picked them up immediately. This about the seventh time I have read them (not exaggerating; excellent books). If you like good reading at all; and are even a slight fan of History in General; I highly recommend Shelby Foote's Civil War (whether in e-version or not doesn't matter).
