For Cause and Comrades: Why Men Fought in the Civil War - Book Report/Review Example

Introduction In 1997, the book named For Cause and Comrades by James M. McPherson was published to present intricate thinking behind the occurrence and strength of the Civil War. The prime purpose of the author is to present vivid information about why soldiers fought in the American Civil War. The book For Cause and Comrades is astudy and rich collation of vast variety of diaries and literacies from American Civil War. The book provides rich, concise, compelling and emotional details about how men acted and reacted about the occurrence of Civil War. Information about the Author James M. McPherson is a Professor at Princeton University and American born Civil War historian. Furthermore, James is best known for its noteworthy contribution in For Cause and Comrades and Pulitzer Prize winning book named Battle Cry for freedom. The prime purpose of these books is to provide historical background and causes for the American Civil War. In the year 2003, McPherson was editorial board of members of Britannica and president of the Historical Association which is based on America. In recent years, the most noteworthy contribution of James M. McPherson was based on the study on American Civil war. Likewise, the study is based on extensive survey on diaries and letters of soldiers. For Cause and Comrades, Battle Cry for Freedom and The Struggle for Equity are some of the influential book that was published by McPherson. In the year 1988, the book The Struggle for Equity received the Anisfield-Wolf Award. In the year 1998, the book named For Cause and Comrades was awarded the Lincoln Award. Furthermore, James M. McPherson was primarily known for political activism and honesty on contemporary topics. Moreover, millions of American was helped by James M. McPherson to make them understand regarding the heritage and significance of the Civil War. One of the daunting tasks undertaken by James M. McPherson is the task of expressing more than 249 individual diaries and 24,000 personal letters. Book summary One of the primary sources of the Book is letters and diaries home. In American history, the Civil War is viewed to be as one of the devastating and deadly war. For more than four grueling years, it was believed that men from both sector of Confederate and Union armies had to suffer and face hardships of the war. Mane people often believe that what is the prime cause that prompted thousands of soldiers to give their lives in the Civil War. The question of engaging in a conflict was the main perspective which inspired one of the renowned Civil War historians of America named James M. McPherson to examine prime cause of the fight. McPherson scrutinized the key idea which motivated Civil War soldiers of America to engage in brutal and fierce fight. The leading consequence of more than 3 million people fought and enlisted in the Confederate and union soldiers. A representative portrait of the soldiers in the Civil War is compiled by the James M. McPherson. Moreover, McPherson stated this concept of extraction of portrait by choosing a quasi-representative collection of warriors where several diaries and letters of the soldiers who have survived in the war. Leadership, discipline and good training are some of the pivotal attributes that were lacked in both armies. Numerous difficult combat circumstances were endured by defending the homes of soldiers. Furthermore, these reasons are also included with religious belief, honor and duty. The life of the men was turned out to be secondary criteria than that of personal honor. It can be notified that there can be presence of line when soldier is experienced. The line can differentiate why soldier accomplishes on the battleground and why they come to fight. One word that can effectively exemplifies the commencement of battles for the protection of comrades and self is brotherhood. Most of the chapters illustrates about the partition of ideology between North and South which is ostensible and alleged.The fundamental ideologies have been focused on the book. Honor is viewed to be as overarching stimulus at every step. Additionally, the author also stated that honor for both Union and Confederate is perceived by soldiers as fighting for comrades, personal courage, defending family, preserving union and protecting home (McRherson 6). Composite dualisms occur in both South and North is described by James M. McPherson in the book. Moreover, this power of sustaining is primarily followed by argument on the power of vengeance and hate in both parts of soldiers. Ideology and religion is being argued by James M. McPherson and stated that it played pivotal role to keep the soldiers together in the part of South and North. It is believed that deep religious conviction has primarily taken hold over the armies in the South. Ideologies were tougher in the North and religion was prevailing in the South. Soldiers in the North basically fought for union. This does not means that South does not fought for liberty, it is understood that both sectors fought for freedom. The author also reveals that how soldiers were exhausted and weary from the Civil War. Moreover, both side armies do not use to march forward for slavery, abolition or glory. Soldiers used to march forward for sense of acknowledgement and honor. The book reveals that half of the soldiers did not show up for fight in the battlefield. Critique There are certain depth of description that is lacked in the book is based on martial motivation. The conflict for hating an enemy, fighting for slavery and liberty is failed to be addressed by James M. McPherson. Furthermore, this fight is unreasonable for people who are praying for same God. These are some of the subjects that were needed to be addressed to fill volumes. Besides, the author effectively provided readers to understand the historical importance of American Civil War. The book provides informative descriptive information to the professional historian. The book also compliments the empathetic and feelings of the dramatic effects and cause of the Civil War. The author describes this concept of duality by providing the example of satisfying power of religion and faith in religious armies. Relation of the consequence of war on society The brilliant researched book of James M. McPherson provides a detailed analysis on the state of inspirations and mind of soldiers in the Civil War. The effect and impact of war on society has been offered in the book. The willingness of Confederate and Union soldiers provides vivid description about the legacy of the Civil War. The book offers balanced interpretation about on the most destructive and bloodiest war. Most of the soldiers in North and South who participated in the Civil War used to perceive some principles which motivated to keep on fighting for the sake of freedom and country. This grappling state of motivation provides vivid information about the important of political beliefs and ideologies. Some of the ideologies of the war are important for society to understand the significance of war to the American history. Some of the personal letters that are written by soldiers to their friends, lover and family member explains the significance of war towards the society. Conclusion It can be concluded that McPherson recognized and established high values for public education and studies based on American Civil War. Furthermore, the author presented effective detailed information about the most of the men that were in to conflict for personal honor and freedom rather than security and grievance. James M. McPherson also stated that ideologies have diverse meaning for both Union and Confederate. Moreover, it is believed that Union and Confederate armies primarily found for independence, honor and country. Work Cited McRherson, M. James. For Cause and Comrades: why men fought in the civil war. New York: Oxford University Press, 1997. Print. Read More