Best Civil War Books

Shop the best selection of Civil War books at Barnes & Noble. Are you trying to gain insights into the American Civil War? Discover diverse perspectives on this famous conflict that was fought on American soil between 1861 and 1865. Whether you’re trying to gain a deeper understanding of the historical events surrounding the war, want to read about the causes of the conflict or are searching for biographies of key figures that made an impact during this time, we’ve got you covered.

Dive into contemporary books on the Civil War like On Great Fields, the first ever biography dedicated to Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain known for his role in the famous Battle of Gettysburg, or read Longstreet to gain fascinating insight to the life of the controversial Confederate General, James Longstreet.

If you’re a fan of Abraham Lincoln, then the book, And There Was Light, chronicles his life from confronting secession to dealing with threats to democracy to the tragedy of slavery, and Differ We Must, a book that documents the strategy that helped him succeed in divided America.

If you’re searching for a comprehensive book that explores key events and important people from the Civil War era, then Bill O'Reilly's Legends and Lies: The Civil War will take you on a spin through history from the birth of the Republican Party all the way through The Underground Railroad, the Emancipation Proclamation to the Battle of Gettysburg and finally president Lincoln’s assassination.

For a comprehensive history of the conflict, The Civil War: A Narrative comes highly recommended by readers, and if you’re searching for diverse insights, then the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass is a must-read. Whether you’re interested in the battle strategies, learning about slavery or you want to know how the Civil War impacted the future of the United States, there are thousands of books that shed a light on this critical chapter in U.S. history.

10 Bestselling Books that Provide Diverse Insights into the American Civil War

The Immortal Irishman by Timothy Egan
Grant by Ron Chernow
Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin
Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era by James M. McPherson
My Bondage and My Freedom by Frederick Douglass
The Soul of Battle by Victor Hanson
The Field of Blood by Joanne Freeman
The Zealot and the Emancipator by H. W. Brands
The Second Founding by Eric Foner
Rebel Yell: The Violence, Passion, and Redemption of Stonewall Jackson by S. C. Gwynne