U.S. Civil War in Fiction

2011 marks the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War. It began at Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861. The titles listed here are novels. Information on other resources follows.

Gob’s Grief, Chris Adrian

Fire by Night,* Lynn Austin

The Judas Field: A Novel of the Civil War, Howard Bahr

Where I’m Bound, Allen B. Ballard

Shadows of Blue & Gray: The Civil War Writings of Ambrose Bierce, Ambrose Bierce

Wildwood Boys, James Carlos Blake

Once They Wore the Gray: A Western Story, Johnny D. Boggs

Mr. Lincoln’s Wars: A Novel in Thirteen Stories, Adam Braver

March, Geraldine Brooks

Promises, Carolyn Brown

The Way to Bright Star, Dee Alexander Brown

White Doves at Morning, James Lee Burke

Grant, Max Byrd

Bright Starry Banner: A Novel of the Civil War, Alden R. Carter

The Tombstone Conspiracy: A Western Story, Tim Champlin

The Battle Flag,* Bernard Cornwell

Moon’s Crossing, Barbara Croft

To Make Men Free: A Novel of the Battle of Antietam, Richard Croker

The March, E.L. Doctorow

A Passionate Girl, Thomas J. Fleming

Cold Mountain, Charles Frazier

On the Occasion of My Last Afternoon, Kaye Gibbons

Never Call Retreat: Lee and Grant, the Final Victory,* Newt Gingrich

I Have Seen Him in the Watchfires, Cathy Gohlke

A Soldier Returns: A Western Story, Fred Grove

Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All, Allan Gurganus

The Better Angels of Our Nature, S.C. Gylanders

Escape from Andersonville: A Novel of the Civil War, Gene Hackman

Homeland, Barbara Hambly

The Widow of the South, Robert Hicks

On Secret Service,* John Jakes

Only Call Us Faithful: A Novel of the Union Underground, Marie Jakober

The Rope Eater, Ben Jones

Two Brothers: One North, One South, David H. Jones

Long Remember, MacKinlay Kantor

Hearts Under Siege, Kathryn Kelly

Antietam Assassins,* Michael Kilian

Pinkerton’s Secret, Eric Lerner

South of Shiloh: A Thiller, Chuck Logan

On the Crest of a Wave, Fran McNabb

Gone With the Wind, Margaret Mitchell

Children of Cain,* Miriam Grace Monfredo

Unholy Fire: A Novel of the Civil War, Robert J. Mrazek

Thieves of Mercy: A Novel of the Civil War At Sea, James L. Nelson

Coal Black Horse, Robert Olmstead

The Glory Cloak, Patricia O’Brien

Redemption Falls, Joseph O’Connor

My Name Is Mary Sutter, Robin Oliveira

A Prayer for the Dying, Stewart O’Nan

The Rebels of Babylon,* Owen Parry

Southern Seahawk: A Novel of the Civil War At Sea, Randall Peffer

A Country of Our Own: A Novel of the Civil War At Sea,* David Poyer

Stranger in Savannah,* Eugenia Price

The World Made Straight, Ron Rash

Hallam’s War, Elisabeth Payne Rosen

Gods and Generals, Jeff Shaara

The Killer Angels, Michael Shaara

The Disagreement, Nick Taylor

Canaan’s Tongue, John Wray

The Amalgamation Polka, Stephen Wright

*part of a series

The Library has a wealth of Civil War materials in multiple formats, found in the catalog.

The History Research Guide offers direct links to the catalog and lists the electronic history resources available. You also might enjoy exploring The Library of Congress pages on the Civil War and the website for the Civil War Trust. For help with your search, Ask Us!

St. Charles Public Library

For help finding these or other books, just Ask Us! 

JHL
Rev. 6/11