The American Civil War

A Military History

By: John Keegan

Narrated by: Robin Sachs

For the past half century, John Keegan, the greatest military historian of our time, has been returning to the scenes of America’s most bloody and wrenching war to ponder its lingering conundrums: the continuation of fighting for four years between such vastly mismatched sides; the dogged persistence of ill-trained, ill-equipped, and often malnourished combatants; the effective absence of decisive battles among some two to three hundred known to us by name. Now Keegan examines these and other puzzles with a peerless understanding of warfare, uncovering dimensions of the conflict that have eluded earlier historiography.

While offering original and perceptive insights into psychology, ideology, demographics, and economics, Keegan reveals the war’s hidden shape—a consequence of leadership, the evolution of strategic logic, and, above all, geography, the Rosetta Stone of his legendary decipherments of all great battles. The American topography, Keegan argues, presented a battle space of complexity and challenges virtually unmatched before or since. Out of a succession of mythic but chaotic engagements, he weaves an irresistible narrative illuminated with comparisons to the Napoleonic Wars, the First World War, and other conflicts.

The American Civil War is sure to be hailed as a definitive account of its eternally fascinating subject.©2009 John Keegan; (P)2009 Random House

An amazing analysis of our Civil War from outside!

A dedicated student of the Civil War, I was fascinated & intrigued by Keegan's different view of the many events I've read & studied... hearing a different set of questions & discussions about a "known event" was amazing... yes, I listened to it 3 times in a row to scratch my head & research to points he discusses & I overlooked.. Wish I found it sooner!!

Outstanding in every sense!

Where does The American Civil War rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

"The American Civil War" is among the best audiobooks I have ever experienced. The clarity of analysis of civil war leaders, soldiers, and circumstances is superb. The story is intensely interesting and engaging, and the delivery (voice) is extremely well-suited to a historical work.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The American Civil War?

The book is packed with memorable moments. For example, there is an amazing description of Civil War sea battles, including the first sinking of an enemy ship by a submarine (on the part of the Confederacy)! I was also impacted by the description of trenching by soldiers and the fact that the men of both sides adopted this practice without being ordered to. And I will never forget the description of writer Walt Whitman's visitation of the wounded in hospitals, which inspired Whitman's later writing.

Any additional comments?

The greatest thing about this book is the way the author explains so much *background*, not just the facts. For example, he tells us about leaders' character and the *reasons* for their decisions, not just what they did. And the information is provided in a way that doesn't just inform, it entertains. I will be listening to this again soon.

Outstanding Civil War History

John Keegan does a masterful job of covering the United States Civil War from both the military and political perspectives.

Outstanding!!

Keegan is a brilliant war historian, and his take on the military history of the American CW is filled with fascinating insights. He is especially strong in his emphasis on how landscape profoundly affected the various campaigns. The narrator is excellent too. Somehow the fact that both author and narrator are Brits gives a freshness to the account --looking at the American conflict from a POV across the pond, as it were.

A Masterpiece of Military History — Deep, Emotional, and Insightful

John Keegan delivers one of the most compelling and intellectually rich accounts of the American Civil War that I have ever encountered.

What struck me the most is how clearly Keegan shows that the Civil War was the first truly industrialized war—a conflict where modern logistics, mass production, and large-scale mobilization reshaped both strategy and human experience. This perspective adds enormous depth and made me understand the war in a completely new light.

The book is filled with moments of courage, tragedy, and incredible human spirit. The way Keegan reconstructs the major battles genuinely moved me. His portraits of the commanders—combining their tactical brilliance, personal flaws, and moral dilemmas—are vivid and unforgettable. I was especially impressed by the intellectual complexity and determination of the generals on both sides.

And then there is Abraham Lincoln. Keegan’s interpretation made me an even bigger admirer of him. His leadership, clarity of purpose, and moral strength come through with incredible force.

Overall, this is not just military history — it’s a profound exploration of character, leadership, and the birth of modern warfare.
An exceptional read (and listen). Highly recommended.