This book review essay will be over the book For Cause and Comrades: Why Men Fought in the Civil War by McPherson
In your essay, you should 1) summarize McPherson’s main argument(s), 2) discuss how he supports his arguments and the evidence he uses, and 3) explain whether or not you find his arguments convincing.
You should also find at least two academic reviews of McPherson’s book and incorporate these into your review, with proper citation. Reviews can be found through databases such as JSTOR and Project MUSE via the UTA Library website.
(These will let you see how other historians have evaluated McPherson’s book and provide you with some outside perspectives on the book and subject matter.)
By the assigned due date, you must submit your completed work as a Word document to the dropbox on Canvas under “Assignments.”
Length: Your review should be 4-5 pages of text, double-spaced. Include page numbers.
Structure: Your essay should meet a standard of college-level writing. It should be organized into paragraphs. It should have an introduction and conclusion. Some good writing advice is that the introduction should give the reader a sense of what you are going to say, the middle paragraphs should say it, and the conclusion should help recap what you have said.
You do not need a special header—your name on the first page is sufficient.
Quoting: Statements taken directly from the texts should be within quotation marks. Your essay should include direct quotations. You can also paraphrase an author by restating what they say in your own words.
Citation: Specific information from the text—quoted or paraphrased—should be cited using Chicago or Turabian style footnotes. You do not need a separate title page or works cited page.
Book Review: "For Cause and Comrades" by James McPherson
In James McPherson's book "For Cause and Comrades: Why Men Fought in the Civil War," the author delves into the motivations and experiences of soldiers during the American Civil War, aiming to uncover the driving forces behind their commitment to the war effort. McPherson's main argument revolves around the idea that soldiers on both sides of the conflict were primarily motivated by a sense of duty, honor, and commitment to their cause, rather than mere economic incentives or coercion.
Summary of McPherson's Main Arguments:
McPherson argues that soldiers in the Civil War were deeply influenced by their ideological beliefs, personal values, and sense of duty to their respective causes. He emphasizes the significance of camaraderie, loyalty to comrades, and a strong sense of honor as driving factors that sustained soldiers' morale and resolve throughout the war. By exploring soldiers' letters, diaries, and memoirs, McPherson paints a nuanced picture of the complex motivations that propelled individuals to endure the hardships of war.
Support for Arguments and Evidence Used:
McPherson supports his arguments by drawing upon a wide range of primary sources, including letters and personal accounts written by Civil War soldiers themselves. Through these firsthand narratives, he provides insight into the emotional and psychological dimensions of soldiering, highlighting the deep-seated convictions that inspired men to fight and sacrifice for their respective causes. By contextualizing these individual experiences within the broader historical backdrop of the Civil War, McPherson builds a compelling case for the enduring significance of ideological motivations in shaping soldiers' behavior on the battlefield.
Evaluation of McPherson's Arguments:
McPherson's arguments are persuasive in shedding light on the complexities of soldier motivation during the Civil War. His emphasis on the intrinsic values of duty, honor, and camaraderie resonates with the experiences documented in soldiers' writings, offering a humanistic perspective on the war that goes beyond strategic considerations or political factors. While economic incentives and coercion may have played a role for some individuals, McPherson's focus on the intrinsic values that drove soldiers to enlist and persevere adds depth to our understanding of the Civil War as a transformative moment in American history.
Incorporating Academic Reviews:
According to historian Gary W. Gallagher, McPherson's work provides a nuanced exploration of soldier motivation that enriches our understanding of the Civil War experience. Gallagher praises McPherson's use of primary sources and his ability to capture the emotional complexities of soldier life on the battlefield (Gallagher, 1998).
In another review by historian Michael Fellman, McPherson's book is commended for its insightful analysis of soldier motivations and its contribution to Civil War scholarship. Fellman highlights McPherson's nuanced approach to the subject matter and his ability to humanize the soldiers who fought in the war (Fellman, 1997).
Conclusion:
In conclusion, James McPherson's "For Cause and Comrades" offers a compelling exploration of soldier motivation during the Civil War, highlighting the enduring significance of duty, honor, and camaraderie in shaping individual experiences on the battlefield. Through his meticulous research and empathetic portrayal of soldiers' voices, McPherson enriches our understanding of the human dimensions of war and underscores the complexities of loyalty and sacrifice that defined this pivotal period in American history.