Quest for a Star: The Civil War Letters and Diaries of Colonel Francis T. Sherman of the 88th Illinois (Voices of the Civil War Series,)
Worth buying if: You value primary-source Civil War writing and soldier perspectives.
Skip it if: You want a sweeping, interpretive synthesis of the entire war.
Exact edition: Edition shown · ISBN-13 9781572330641. The Amazon link uses this ISBN, so the product page should open to the edition shown here.
If this page helped you decide, purchasing through the Amazon button above supports UPB Books at no extra cost to you and helps us continue improving the site. Thanks for visiting today.
Check Amazon for the current price and availability of this exact edition.
Affiliate disclosure: purchases made through links on this site may earn us a commission at no additional cost to you.
Summary
A 213-page edited collection of Colonel Francis T. Sherman's wartime letters and diary entries, telling of battles, logistics, and soldierly life from the 88th Illinois across the conflict's key moments.
Why this book now
Timely for readers reexamining personal narratives of the Civil War and military leadership through primary-source testimony.
30-second preview
Two quick cards, fifteen seconds each.
Card 1 of 2
Best for readers who...
Good fit if you want...
- You value primary-source Civil War writing and soldier perspectives.
- You prefer concise, documentary-style personal accounts over broad histories.
- You want a sweeping, interpretive synthesis of the entire war.
- You expect a modern narrative with extensive authorial commentary.
- You only want something with very current references and examples.
Decided it fits?
Exact edition: Edition shown · ISBN-13 9781572330641
Worth buying if: You value primary-source Civil War writing and soldier perspectives.
Skip it if: You want a sweeping, interpretive synthesis of the entire war.
Check Amazon for the current price and availability of this exact edition.
Reader guide
Cues to help you decide faster.
Reading commitment
Balanced Moderate time
At roughly 213 pages, this is a moderate commitment—best dipped into by episode or read straight through in a few focused sessions.
What stands out here
This University of Tennessee edition presents edited primary documents emphasizing Sherman's voice and day-to-day wartime experience rather than expansive analysis.
Best way to approach it
Read slowly to absorb dated language, cross-reference dates or battles as needed, and pause to reflect on logistics and personal observations.
Was this page helpful?
Quick thumbs only. No login.
Loading feedback…
Exact edition: ISBN-13 9781572330641
Check Amazon for the current price and availability of this exact edition.