Library Journal Review

Starred Review. Narrated by Downton Abbey's own Lady Grantham, Elizabeth McGovern, this five-part series eschews the well-trodden ground of the Eastern theater of the Civil War for the lesser-known but just as critical campaigns in the American West, where Union control of the Mississippi River, the lifeblood of both the Confederacy and the Union, eventually turned the tide in the conflict. Re-created through excellent cinematography, the battles of Shiloh, Vicksburg, Chickamauga, and Atlanta are brought to life in stunning detail. Not missed in the coverage is the evolution of slavery over the course of the war, as well as the impact of the conflict on the Southern home front. Along the way, noted historians offer insight into events portrayed on-screen. Bonus features include silent archival footage from the 50th-anniversary event at Vicksburg including both former Confederate and Union soldiers. VERDICT While Ken Burns's The Civil War still stands as the masterpiece of Civil War documentaries, this set is a wonderful addition for any history buff or school media center. Brian Odom, Huntsville, AL (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.