I am getting into reading about the civil war, and am having...

I am getting into reading about the civil war, and am having a hard time following troop movements, even if there is a good map in the book, because usually its several pages away and I keep on having to flip the pages. Is there a good atlas that would help me as an extra aid while reading?

You raise an issue I've struggled with for years. Maps are essential to understanding what went on, but trying to find good ones is really hard. I've used "Battlefield Atlas of the Civil War" by Craig Symonds, but it's only barely adequate and covers only a few of the major engagements. There is an atlas of CW battle maps put out by the staff at the USMA West Point which is supposed to be great, but it's hard to find and the copies I've priced through Amazon are in the $400 range. One thing I've started doing is using Google or wandering around various web sites. Some of the National Park Service sites often have good maps, as do many sites dedicated to specific engagements. It's a bit tedious at times, but there is a lot out there if you're willing to search around. Many of the maps are downloadable and can be enlarged or minimized as desired. I hope this helps.

I don't have or know of a specific atlas that would be best, but there's a site that has these interesting little animated battle maps that might help.
The last time I tried to post a link here, I lost my whole post, so just do a google search for;
Civil War Animated

Yes, I tried the site after you mentioned it last time, and it's really good.

Hopefully the op will find it of some use. Not a book, I know, but figured it might be of some help.

I have several books...One is a the Civil War Atlas..
I am selling my collection of Civil War books which is fairly good size...I also have a 1st edition (1885) of US Grants memoirs, many volumes of WAR OF THE REBELLION, along with alot of OHIO civil war books and many current(modern) books about battles..

Let me know if you are interested
Ken in Ohio
937 748 4430
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Just what I needed to hear, someone with a collection of CW books for sale! I'd be interested in looking, but like a kid in a candy store, who can just look?

Back on the topic of the thread, in my recent book buying binge, I picked up the "National Geographic Atlas of the Civil War", which so far is the best compilation of battlefield maps (including many facsimiles of the maps actually used during the war) I've gotten my hands on. Blueshawk, I think I got confused (imagine that!?), assuming I ordered the Library of Congress book you mentioned being on Ebay. Which one did you see on Ebay?

I enjoy looking at the awesome maps on Civil War Presevation Trust site. www.civilwar.org This site encludes historical maps & animated maps. CWPT maps also indicate land under persevation & land at risk of development. I dont spend money on an atlas of Civil War battlefields, I just look on the web like Aj and blueshawk. But I usually ckeck CWPT 1st. Saving battlefields is what they do & so they have a great collection of maps.

Ajhall wrote:

Blueshawk, I think I got confused (imagine that!?), assuming I ordered the Library of Congress book you mentioned being on Ebay. Which one did you see on Ebay?

The one I sent you the link for?
It was the "Library of Congress Civil War Desk Reference". It was .99 plus 3.99 for shipping - condition was described as "like new".

Just what I needed to hear, someone with a collection of CW books for sale! I'd be interested in looking, but like a kid in a candy store, who can just look?

Same problem here, although I've stopped buying until I catch up on all the ones I've got here sitting waiting to be read.

Blueshawk, yes, that's what I thought. I'll go on Ebay and look, and after that....I PROMISE....no more books til I've read what I have...so please! stop tempting with whole collections for sale!

Ajhall wrote:

and after that....I PROMISE....no more books til I've read what I have..

Don't make promises that are too hard to keep. 8^)