The Civil War: A Narrative: Fort Sumter to Perryville; Fredericksburg to Meridian; Red River to Appomattox.

FOOTE, Shelby.

$5,500.00

Item Number: 91861

New York: Random House, 1958-74.

First editions of the author’s authoritative text on The Civil War. Octavo, 3 volumes, bound in three quarters morocco over marbled boards, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, raised bands, gilt ruled to the front and rear panels, cartographic endpapers. Presentation copies, inscribed by the author in volumes one and two. Volume one is inscribed, “For Tom Low of Washington from Shelby Foote Memphis 13 May 1990 (These days after the death of Walker Percy, whose letter is enclosed).” Volume two is inscribed on a postcard pasted in and reads, “Memphis 25 Oct 88 Dear Tom Low Good for you and your associates for saving the battle sites, and I thank you for taking the trouble to tell me you like my work. As for the autograph, wouldn’t it be simpler just to keep this postcard as a book mark? Regards and best wishes Shelby Foote.” Each are in near fine condition. An exceptional set, rare and desirable signed and inscribed.

"Shelby Foote remained relatively unknown before his role in Ken Burns’ [documentary film] The Civil War made him a cultural icon. Since that event, Foote has become widely viewed as an authority on the Civil War, and more generally, as a representative of an era and region whose place continues to be central to our country’s understanding of itself" (University of Mississippi). "His mission was to tell what he considered America’s biggest story as a vast, finely detailed, deeply human narrative A model of what military history can be" (New York Times). Named by Modern Library as one of the 100 best non-fiction books of the twentieth century.