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Drawn with the Sword: Reflections on the American Civil WarJames M. McPherson is acclaimed as one of the finest historians writing today and a preeminent commentator on the Civil War. Battle Cry of Freedom, his Pulitzer Prize winning account of that conflict, was a national bestseller that Hugh Brogan, in The New York Times, called "history writing of the highest order." Now, in Drawn With the Sword, McPherson offers a series of thoughtful and engaging essays on some of the most enduring questions of the
James M. McPherson is acclaimed as one of the finest historians writing today and a preeminent commentator on the Civil War. Battle Cry of Freedom, his Pulitzer Prize-winning account of that conflict, was a national bestseller that Hugh Brogan, in The New York Times, called "history writing of the highest order." Now, in Drawn With the Sword, McPherson offers a series of thoughtful and engaging essays on some of the most enduring questions of the Civil War, written in the masterful prose that has become his trademark. Filled with fresh interpretations, puncturing old myths and challenging new ones, Drawn With the Sword explores such questions as why the North won and why the South lost (emphasizing the role of contingency in the Northern victory), whether Southern or Northern aggression began the war, and who really freed the slaves, Abraham Lincoln or the slaves themselves. McPherson offers memorable portraits of the great leaders who people the landscape of the Civil War: Ulysses S. Grant, struggling to write his memoirs with the same courage and determination that marked his successes on the battlefield; Robert E. Lee, a brilliant general and a true gentleman, yet still a product of his time and place; and Abraham Lincoln, the leader and orator whose mythical figure still looms large over our cultural landscape. And McPherson discusses often-ignored issues such as the development of the Civil War into a modern "total war" against both soldiers and civilians, and the international impact of the American Civil War in advancing the cause of republicanism and democracy in countries from Brazil and Cuba to France and England. Of special interest is the final essay, entitled "What's the Matter With History?," a trenchant critique of the field of history today, which McPherson describes here as "more and more about less and less." He writes that professional historians have abandoned narrative history written for the greater audience of educated general readers in favor of impenetrable tomes on minor historical details which serve only to edify other academics, thus leaving the historical education of the general public to films and television programs such as Glory and Ken Burns's PBS documentary The Civil War. Each essay in Drawn With the Sword reveals McPherson's own profound knowledge of the Civil War and of the controversies among historians, presenting all sides in clear and lucid prose and concluding with his own measured and eloquent opinions. Readers will rejoice that McPherson has once again proven by example that history can be both accurate and interesting, informative and well-written. Mark Twain wrote that the Civil War "wrought so profoundly upon the entire national character that the influence cannot be measured short of two or three generations." In Drawn With the Sword, McPherson gracefully and brilliantly illuminates this momentous conflict.Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Published: 12/01/1997
ISBN: 9780195117967
Pages: 272
Weight: 0.65lbs
Size: 8.00h x 5.30w x 0.80d
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4.2 ★★★★★
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★★★★★ 5
Great pillow for side sleepers!
Size: Standard 20"x28", Number of Items: 2
I bought these pillows at first because I wanted to try out the “coolness” of them (I live in a place with no AC). They’re definitely not cold, but they do a good job of regulating the heat on particularly hot/stuffy nights.
But my favorite thing about these by far is the support! I’m a side sleeper, and these are just the right amount of firm to tuck between your shoulder and neck that keeps your neck in a good position all night, while still soft and comfy for your head! I’ve been sleeping on them for about 2 months now and they have maintained their shape really well. Definitely recommend!
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Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2022
★★★★★ 4
Great Pillow with Minor Inconvenience
Size: Body 20"x54", Number of Items: 1
When i got this pillow I wasn't sure if I was going to like it or not. It is not inherently lumpy like I thought it was going to be. It molds to you as you use it every night but resets as memory foam is meant to. My only issue with it is when it is packaged thru gold the pillow in half then roll it and vacuum seal it. Where that fold was there is a lot less fluff and no matter what I do I cannot seem to redistribute the fluff to even it out. Otherwise it's a great body pillow
Edit:
Still can't get the fold out if the pillow no matter what i do but I still really like the pillow. My mother just got the same one and she does not have any issues with the fold line. I am keeping my review as 4 stars but it really is an awesome pillow
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Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2025
★★★★★ 5
I Sleep Hot and This Is The Only Pillow Ive Tried that Stays Cool!
Size: Queen 20"x30", Number of Items: 1
We have a closet full of pillows. I have tried a bunch from cheap to expensive, Sleep Number to Kohls. I sleep really hot, but I bought this pillow and it is crazy how cool it feels. If I get too warm and want it cooler I flip it over. I was doubtful but now Im sold. I winter in Arizona and Im buying one of these for out there as well. It's firm but fluffy soft. Great support for a side or back sleeper. Maintains its shape, the filling is cut up foam pieces of some sort but its super comfortable. I have not washed it as it had no foam odor, and I was able to use it right away. I definitely recommend this. Great pillow!
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Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2025
★★★★★ 5
Forget the traditional big pregnancy pillows, get one of these!
Size: Body 20"x54", Number of Items: 1
I’m in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy and I’m having a hard time getting comfortable in bed or waking up without pain. I got a big U-Shaped pregnancy pillow but it was awful. It was fluffy, but offered 0 support and firmness. Also the stuffing made me so hot!
I decided to try this and I’m soooo glad I did! The memory foam means it actually has some support and firmness to it and it stays pretty cool. It is heavy, but it’s worth it. I put it between my legs and hug the pillow with a 2nd pillow behind my back for extra support. I can ACTUALLY sleep in my bed again! And I don’t wake up with pain and stiffness. Highly recommend if the traditional pregnancy pillow isn’t working for you.
Make sure you let the foam rise for 72hrs. Apparently there may be an odor after opening it, but I haven’t noticed anything or it already dissipated. (I also didn’t actually wait the 72hrs but had no issues)
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Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2023
★★★★★ 3
Very soft and squishy vs supportive
Size: Queen 20"x30", Number of Items: 2
These have really nice cooling fabric on one side. The other is a soft cottony fabric. They are very squishy. Not firm at all. I prefer a thicker supportive pillow that doesn’t completely collapse when you lay your head on it. I chose to purchase additional gel infused memory foam shreds to add stuffing to the pillows. I used a five pound bag of the shreds between the four new pillows I bought. I wish that wasn’t necessary. I did end up with nice , cooling, supportive pillows in the end though.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2026
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