Books in Brief

Why the North Won the Civil War, edited by David Donald (Louisiana, $2.95). For years, Civil War fans lovingly refought each and every battle. Lately, the accent has been on “What Might Have Been” books, of which this slim volume is an interesting example. Five noted historians advance five different causes of the Southern defeat. All more or less reject the idea that the South never had a chance, and suggest that the main Confederate weakness was strategic: Jefferson Davis either could not or would not adopt coherent political policies that might have turned military successes into victory. Professor Donald, in the most interesting essay, suggests that the South “died of Democracy,” a thesis which should startle many a reader.

J. P. MCFADDEN

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Why the North Won the Civil War, edited by David Donald (Louisiana, $2.95). For years, Civil War fans lovingly refought each and every battle. Lately, the accent has been on “What Might Have Been” books, of which this slim volume is an interesting example. Five noted historians advance five different causes of the Southern defeat. All more or less reject the idea that the South never had a chance, and suggest that the main Confederate weakness was strategic: Jefferson Davis either could not or would not adopt coherent political policies that might have turned military successes into victory. Professor Donald, in the most interesting essay, suggests that the South “died of Democracy,” a thesis which should startle many a reader.

J. P. MCFADDEN