I'm pretty new to reading about the Civil War, but so far it seems that Regimental History books are my favorite. While other books try to do too much and cover many battles, generals and focus on troop movements, etc., Regimental History books focus on people and individuals.

Covered with Glory was particularly enlightening, as it sheds some light how Confederates felt about the war.

It is a very focused and straight forward read. Don't expect this to be a comprehensive book on the Civil War, but to experience a "little piece" of it, this is a great book.

An outstanding read! The author does not spend a great amount of time dealing with the formation and early days of the regiment. Instead and pleasantly so, he provides the reader with just enough information to get a feel for the regiment and its officers and concentrates on Gettysburg.

Additionally, the book is in simple and plain english allowing the reader to easily navigate troop movements, etc.. I especially enjoyed the "what happened to" part of the book, something which is missing from too many volumes.

Overall an excellent book about one of the ANV's best regiments -BUY IT!!!!!!

Regimental histories are often not the most compelling reading. Few authors find a way to balance good historical research with the kind of prose that pull the reader into the story. Rod Gragg has done this with "Covered With Glory". There is plenty of detail for those who want them, but the text flows so well the general reader would hardly notice. But Gragg has done his research as well. For instance, he is the first to make the case for the bloodstains on the regimental colors to be those other than the commander's. He also elegantly deals with the matter of the regiment's contact point with the Federal lines on July 3, an item that has been something of a controversy- whether they went in at base of "The Angle", or whether they made contact with Federals further north on the wall. When you are done, you are left with a feel for the men who made up the 26th North Carolina, and are saddened by their loss. But you are also inspired as well by that same sacrifice. Good Read!

As an avid Civil War reader, I have sometimes comes across titles that bore the reader and become unnecessarily bogged down in detail. Thankfully, Rod Gragg's gem is not one of them!

The author packs the title with descriptive actions of the 1st and 2nd Battles of Fort Fisher and interesting anecdotes of several of the major participants. Particularly interesting were the descriptions of William Lamb, William Whiting, Braxton Bragg, Admiral Porter, Alfred Terry, Benjamin Butler, and several colonels and other officers. Gragg is also careful to point out the heroic sacrifices of several noncommissioned officers, privates, and black troops who served in the battle.

Gragg's book is well-balanced: an interesting read without being simplistic. The only complaint I have are the few maps in the book - a few more would have made Gragg's book even more enjoyable.

All in all, an excellent read! As a North Carolinian, I'm glad to see excellent books on Civil War battles in our great state. Oftentimes when North Carolina is mentioned in Civil War history, the emphasis is on the large number of troops who sacrificed their lives and physical well-being during the conflict.

Read it!

Civil War bufs rejoice! Rod Gragg is by far one of the greatest writers of Civil War history today. This book won the "Fletcher Pratt" Prize for Civil War history and is indeed very worthy. Gragg kept me glued with his marvelous account of the events surrounding the battle of Fort Fischer which took place near the end of the war. For me, Gragg does several things right: He writes in an easy to read elegant style and makes the history come alive with vivid descriptions. Best of all, Gragg reveals the stories behind the story. He deals with the motivations of all the participants, men from Admirals and Generals all the way down to the seamen and soldiers. The action flows and the suspense builds with every page as the battle takes form. Theres enough rich detail to please the most hardcore Civil War buf. This is a story of a almost now forgotten, but important battle, and Gragg has a done a great job in re-telling it.

What a Great Story, What a Great Storyteller

Several years ago, I had the great honor to speak with author Shelby Foote about his wonderful narrative "The Civil War." He was very kind and a true gentleman to spend a few minutes discussing with me my new found hobby of reading about Civil War history. Coming originally from Utah, I knew very little and he in a light hearted way joked about how once I started I would not be able to stop. Well he was correct. Three years later I've been thrilled to learn about this incredible period of time in our history through dozens of wonderful books. Confederate Goliath - The Battle of Fort Fisher, by Rod Gragg, is perhaps the best of them all dealing with a single battle, though it lights up many aspects of the general war situation, in a number of ways: very complete, readable, and by the last half I could not set it down. I admit to even welling up in tears at parts and gasping with disbelief and sadness at the human destruction and struggle so vividly and aptly described by Mr. Gragg. I'm heading to North Carolina in two weeks just to stand near the place where what I've just read happened. It'll affect anyone who reads it and I'd recommend it to first time Civil War readers as well as to the more experienced and informed.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book by Gragg! It intersects 2 areas of interests for me: the Civil War, and Griffin & Sabine-esque enclosures.

The book is filled with photography and quotes from common soldiers of the North and South. But what makes the book especially interesting are it's enclosures -- reproduced letters, stationary, handwriting, and all -- that give an interesting first person history of the Civil War. These letters have a I'm-reading-someone-else's-mail a voyueristic appeal, but also add insight into the Civil War that narrative histories can't equal.

I knew I would like this format after enjoying the many letters in Ken Burns' Civil War, and I was not disappointed at all. This book adds tactile pleasure of holding the letters that Ken Burns Civil War could not.

Very enjoyable. Recommended.

This is a GREAT source for casual Civil War trivia buffs! Its concise, ordered question and answer format works well for use as an icebreaker in gatherings and allows reading in short sessions. Makes a good, inexpensive gift. Check out the Old West Quiz and Fact Book by the same author.

The editors of this book have collected a large number of very interesting primary texts -- battlefield stories, interviews of ex-slaves, civilians' memories, and so on. They've combined them with a number of little-seen photos, including one which has got to be the most disturbing battlefield casualties shot I've seen yet. Amateurs in particular will enjoy this book. I did find a couple of flaws: the selections have been edited with a ... marking where material has been excised, and that made me wonder what I was missing. Also, the introductory passages to each section are pretty basic. Strangely, in the brief bio of General Cleburne, one of his most important achievements, his suggestion that the slaves be freed in exchange for service in the Confederate army, is never mentioned. So in terms of scholarship this may be a little questionable here and there, but it's certainly an enjoyable volume.