Since 1865, more than 60,000 books—and some historians consider that a low-ball figure—have been written about the Civil War. Every year, publishers put out more books on this subject. Clearly, the war, with its many historical figures, dramatic battles, and consequences that extend into our own time, remains a subject of fascination for both writers and readers.
Of the novels included in that library, the best-known is probably Stephen Crane’s “The Red Badge of Courage,” in part because of its widespread use in classrooms. Of course, many other worthy novels about the war have also attracted many fans. Michael Shaara’s “The Killer Angels” and Charles Frazier’s “Cold Mountain,” for example, were bestsellers that are now considered classics of this genre.
