NPR American Chronicles: The Civil War

Summary

NPR captures the battlefield action, the personal struggles, and the moral dilemmas of the war that pitted brother against brother (and sometimes sister) and friend against friend. This revealing collection of Civil War stories features gripping history, expert commentary, and unforgettable voices:

Shelby Foote reflects on the southern perspective

E.L. Doctorow discusses Sherman and The March

Sam Waterston performs the Gettysburg Address

Hal Holbrook honors Iowa in the Civil War

Susan Stamberg reports from Lincoln’s summer retreat

James McPherson tours Gettysburg’s hallowed ground

Tony Horwitz explores the world of Civil War reenactors

Plus visits to battlefields at Manassas, Antietam, Gettysburg, and much more.

The NPR American Chronicles series explores the historical events that continue to resonate in our lives. Expert commentary and unforgettable stories create vivid sound portraits of history’s greatest people and events, examined in multi-faceted and moving detail.