| + + + | Dial. 38: 230. Ap. 1, ‘05. 1020w. |
“It is hardly possible that the theme will ever be treated with fuller detail, more skilfully wrought into a dramatic story. Concerning this, as concerning the whole work, it must be said that it will be most authoritative among those who are most familiar with the sources of information. The general reader may grow to believe fully in the author’s conclusions, but the specialist will be convinced by the unquestionable force of the testimony offered.”
| + + + | Ind. 58: 151. Ja. 19, ‘05. 680w. |
[*] “This masterful accomplishment entitles Mr. Rhodes to the first place among American historians.”
| + + + | Ind. 59: 1156. N. 16, ‘05. 120w. |
“The writer’s method and his even narration make pleasant reading. There is the same painstaking examination of authorities, the same skilful arrangement of facts, the same balanced (sometimes hesitating) judgment, and the same desire to be eminently fair to all parties in a controversy.”
| + + + | Nation. 80: 177. Mr. 2, ‘05. 1800w. |
“Mr. Rhodes’s treatment of the war itself, and of the issues growing out of the war, is that of an unbiased historian, and will meet, we think, with the cordial approbation of southern as well as northern participants in that great struggle.”
| + + | R. of Rs. 31: 247. F. ‘05. 180w. |
“A considerable part of this volume is given to a chapter describing the conditions of society in the northern states during the war, and another chapter to society in the southern states. These are among the most important and interesting contributions to our historical literature. They are hardly entitled to be called brilliant, but they are full of good sense, of sound judgments, and of well-proportioned groupings of facts. They are likely to be read as long as any historical writings of our time. His style is not brilliant, but it is a good working style, with the fundamental merits of clearness and dignity; and his judgments are the judgments of a man of great common sense. All preceding books have at best been materials for such a history. Mr. Rhodes’s work is the best narrative of this stirring time.”