Why read The Civil War in 50 Objects?

Book cover of The Civil War in 50 Objects

Book description

The American companion to A History of the World in 100 Objects, a fresh, visual perspective on the Civil War

From a soldier's diary with the pencil still attached to John Brown's pike, the Emancipation Proclamation, and the leaves from Abraham Lincoln's bier, here is a unique and surprisingly intimate…

Explore

Topics

Genres

American history

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked The Civil War in 50 Objects as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Jeff Matthews

Author

From a heartrending photograph of “Slave Shackles Intended for a Child” to Abraham Lincoln’s signature on a congressional resolution for the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery—and 48 other objects in between...

This book provides a fascinating, wide-ranging portrait of the Civil War that reminds readers how Lincoln managed to abolish slavery while also preserving the Union, something not many American politicians thought possible when he was first elected President.

From Jeff's list on The best books to explain the Civil War (without all the boring battlefield stuff).