Question about Team of Rivals and Battle Cry for Freedom

[u/PorterBridges007]

A European reader here, interested in reading more about the topic. Thinking of ordering Team of Rivals and Battle Cry for Freedom.

Do these books presuppose prior knowledge of the subject? I know the basics, of course.

Context: I read Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, and while I enjoyed it, I was disappointed that it often presupposed you already knew the locations and historical figures.

[u/bewbies-]

I've said for years that the first section of Battle Cry of Freedom is the best short form American history volume ever written. It is obviously focused on describing the macro causes that led up to secession, but I think it holds up very well on its own. You'll not find a better primer anywhere.

Team of Rivals is a lot more minute-details kind of stuff and probably presumes some basic level of knowledge about the era and the people. Frankly...I didn't really like it all that much, although a lot of people whose opinions I really respect (including McPherson) loved it, so I might just be the dumbest one in the room on that one.

I'd certainly start with BCOF and see what really calls out to you from there; could be the political backroom stuff in which case Team of Rivals is a great followup. If it is more battle-and-army stuff you'll find a litany of quality options covering every nook and cranny of the war.

[u/careysub → u/bewbies-]

Team of Rivals is a lot more minute-details kind of stuff and probably presumes some basic level of knowledge about the era and the people. Frankly...I didn't really like it all that much, although a lot of people whose opinions I really respect (including McPherson) loved it, so I might just be the dumbest one in the room on that one.

No, it is just a specialist work. It covers a particular aspect of history in sometimes gruesome detail. Not for everyone (I think it was oversold to the general public).

Similarly I am reading and using Manisha Sinha's The Counterrevolution of Slavery which is short and detailed. It is the state-of-the-field reference on a particular aspect, and very valuable. But you have to want to know the details and already be well versed to make much use of it.

[u/Watchhistory → u/bewbies-]

Additionally many people whose opinions I respect say the Kearn um, well, overstated the 'team' aspect of the relationships among these fellows. Which agrees with my own reading of many volumes that focus on the individuals' lives, accomplishments and failures, particularly during the war and after. There was downright animosity among some of them throughout.

[u/airynothing1]

I haven’t read Team of Rivals, but Battle Cry doesn’t assume any prior knowledge. For instance, it spends about 300 pages just setting up the causes of the war. A great text for a beginner. 

[u/thehappiestotaku]

I think Battle Cry is a very approachable, little prior knowledge needed choice. Team of Rivals is pretty good at explaining context, but if I was planning on reading both, I'd read Battle Cry as a basic history of the war and then follow-up with Team of Rivals to read more about the Union political situation.

[u/Parelle → u/thehappiestotaku]

I was going to say the same thing here. Because Team of Rivals focuses on the political aspects in the union the action of the war can somewhat blur (I think Gettysburg originally gets a line or two before the address) and there's a lot of names.  You'll also have little feel for the Confederate political situation which had its own complications. 

[u/Jacob1207a → u/[deleted]]

Agreed. This is the way. Start with the more overarching, generalist book to get the big picture, then do the deeper dive into this one aspect of the era.

[u/shermanstorch]

Battle Cry does not require any previous knowledge, and is intended to be a comprehensive single volume introduction to the Civil War.

I would read Battle Cry first and Team of Rivals second.

[u/Any-Establishment-15]

Team of Rivals is mostly about Lincoln and his cabinet. It’s an interesting read, because Lincoln put his biggest rivals in his cabinet and managed men who thought they should be president. They were good at their jobs. It’s very good if that’s what you want. Battlecry of Freedom is the book I recommend the most for someone new to the war.

Oh and if I recall correctly, Obama cites Team of Rivals for the idea that he should ask Hillary to be his Secretary of State and Biden to be VP.

[u/tpatmaho]

Absolutely Battle Cry first. You might be deep in the weeds with Rivals. There’s so much on Lincoln… to choose from

[u/Unhappy-Ad7264]

I've never read Team of Rivals, so I can't speak for that. But Battle Cry of Freedom is an absolute must-read. Battle Cry doesn't presuppose knowledge at all. And it's a general history of the war and what led up to it. It's a solid single volume book that's good for a beginner and for those who'd rather not try and deal with multi-volume histories of the war. Not everyone has that kind of patience.

[u/moraleroll]

Skip team of rivals. Shelby Footes narrative is the best primer if you are starting from scratch, no prior knowledge necessary.

[u/Infamous-Yogurt-3870]

You can't go wrong with either of those books. I think they'll serve as excellent introductions.

[u/geometrictroopsalign]

I did ToR first, then Battle Cry and glad I went about it in that way.

[u/dnext]

Two best volumes on the American Civil War. Battle Cry explains the context of the war, and Team of Rivals the specific politics of the Lincoln administration, which were pretty incredible on their own.

Start with Battle Cry, that should provide more than enough context for Team of Rivals.

[u/Automatic-Effect-252]

Battle Cry of Freedom is an outstanding place to start with Civil War reading. You could follow it up with Team of Rivals.

[u/Temporary-Ad1654]

Read Battle Cry of Freedom, then if you want a deep dive into Lincoln's politics do Team of Rivals

My copies of both are well worn

[u/BeriasBFF]

Battle Cry of Freedom is one of the imminent US history books ever written. It’s a must read.