Civil War Pathfinder

Brenda Young

University of Memphis

November 23, 2008

Pathfinder Scope

The purpose of this pathfinder is to introduce various resources that are available at the

Memphis Public Library about the Civil War. The types of materials useful in research are

described along with examples. This pathfinder is not a complete listing of all the available

resources but is intended as a starting point to begin research and assist students in

locating additional resources that will enhance their understanding of the Civil War.

Introductory Material

• Encyclopedias provide general information on a subject and gives additional sources that allow you to do further research. The following encyclopedia provided a detailed account of the Civil War.

Guelzo, A. ( 2006). Civil War, American. (1861-1865). In World Book (Vol. 4, pp. 614-635). Chicago: World Book. (Ref 031v.4)

This article details the causes of the war and describes how the states lined up for it, also the

building of the armed forces and the battles that ensued between the Union and Confederate Army.

I chose this article because it is supplemented with illustrations, maps and charts. An outline of the

article, study aid questions and additional resources are located at the end of the article.

Key Resources at a Glance

• This section lists core resources that anyone researching the Civil War topic should be aware of. Subject encyclopedias are used in this section because they provide a comprehensive source of information. Each encyclopedia presents people, places and points of importance of the Civil War.

Bolotin, N. (2002). Civil War A to Z: A young readers guide to over 100 people, places, and points of importance. New York: Dutton Children’s Books. (Memphis Public Library Call Number- 973.703 B693C)

This book was chosen because it is filled

with historical information designed for

intermediate students. It can be used as

a browsing guide to peek interest or as

an introduction to the Civil War.

Clinton, C. (1999). Scholastic Encyclopedia of the Civil War. New York: Scholastic. (Memphis Public Library Call Number-973.703 C614S)

This book traces the course of the Civil

War, year by year, using profiles of

important people, eyewitness accounts and

period art. [Booklist]

Search Aids

• There are a variety of search aids that can help you locate materials on the Civil War. The search aids used in this pathfinder are search terms, subject heading, call number, indexes and library catalogs.

Subject Headings Subject headings are needed when searching the online card catalog because

specific terms must be used. The subject heading for the Civil War is

located below.

• United States-History-Civil War, 1861-1865

Indexes

• Indexes allow you to locate magazine articles on the Civil War. To find materials relating to the Civil War you can use the search terms listed above. The two indexes listed below were chosen because they contain reference works that are appropriate for intermediate students.

Indexes

Student Resource-Gold

This database contains reference works, biographies, essays, overview

and periodical articles from science, history and biography resources. It

has a variety of media- maps, photos, audio and video.

KidsInfoBits

This database is designed for beginning researches from Kindergarten

through Fifth grade. It features age appropriate graphics and allows the

user to narrow the topic by using a subject-based topic tree. It covers

geography, current events, the arts, science health, history and more.

Student Resource Gold and KidsInfoBits can be accessed through

the Memphis Public Library

http://www.memphislibrary.org/

Search Terms

Search terms are terms you might use as you search the internet or online computer

resources. The terms listed below are a good starting point.

• Civil War

• Confederate Army

• Union Army

Call Number

• The call number is needed to find materials in the library on the Civil War. The Dewey Decimal system call numbers are used at the Memphis Public Library. The call number

for the Civil War is listed below.

• Dewey Decimal Call Number- 973.7

Library Catalogs

• Memphis Public Library catalog will list the materials that are

available in the library on the Civil War. Start by using the subject

heading listed in the “Subject Heading” section.

Memphis Public Library

http://www.memphislibrary.org/

Resources

• This section contains information on books, non print resources and internet resources

that will assist the user in locating the best available resources.

Books

Arnold, J. & Wiener, R. (2002). This unhappy country:The turn of the Civil War, 1863.Minneapolis: Lerner Publications. (Memphis Public Library Call Number-973.734 A 7560)

The defeat of Lee at Gettysburg in July1863 coupled with Grant’s victory in the heavily protected city of Vicksburg that same month were two of the most important events of the war.[Lerner Books] I chose this book because it provides a clear cut explanation of the events and has charts/graphics/diagrams and sidebars on several key people.

Delia, R. (1990). A nation torn: The story of how the Civil War began. New York: Lodestar Books.(Memphis Public Library Call Number-973.711 R 263n)

Provides an introduction to the events that led up to America’s Civil War. Ray successfully puts the confusing events of 1860-1861 into clear focus by using primary-sources material and adding a human perspective. She covers the cause of the war in a language and tone appropriate for children. [School Library Journal]I chose this book because it provides a clear understanding of the events prior to the war and contains a bibliography that can be helpful for further research.

McPherson, J. (2002). Fields of fury: The American Civil War. New York: Atheneum Books for Children. (Memphis Public Library Call Number-973.7M172fi)

The author summarizes the major facts and

brings to life the conflict’s from the

commanders in chief to the soldiers on the

front lines. Along with accounts of

principal battles are discussions of other

important issues and the effects of

reconstruction.[School Library Journal]

This book is significant because it provides

eyewitness accounts from all sides of the

conflict, many from kids. This allows

them to make a connection to the

characters in the book.

Dolan, E. (1997). The American Civil War. Brookfield, Ct.: Millbrook Press. (Memphis Public Library Call Number 973.7 D659am)

Readers are given a well balanced and

readable account of the Civil War.

Beginning with the first shot at Fort Sumter

and pausing once and while to fill in

preceding events and social history. [School

Library Journal] The novel contains sidebar

topics such as slavery and women in war,

which provides the reader an opportunity to

reflect on history.

Wisler, G. & Wiener, R. ( 2001). When Johnny went marching: Young Americans fight the Civil War. New York: HarperCollins.( Memphis Public Library Call Number-973.70835 W814w)

The author presents the experiences of

Many young men and woman who were

involved in the conflict. Some chapters

focus on a single individual such as a

confederate spy.[Booklist]

The stories themselves are varied and

interesting and some individual chapters

would lend themselves to read aloud in the

classroom because this book has a personal

approach to the war it compliments the

other books used in this section.

Non Print Resources

• Using non print resources can enhance the learning experience by providing a background to new facts or information or connecting a medium to an abstract concept.

Eagle Media Productions.(2003).. Great commanders of the civil war: Jackson, Lee and Chamberlain[United States]:Eagle Productions. ( Memphis Public Library Call Number -973.742092 G786)

This documentary about three generals who

played pivotal roles in the Civil War,

includes historic recreations, contemporary

images and photographs, commentary and

analysis about these men, and extracts from

letters, diaries and memoirs.[New York

Times Review]

I chose this documentary for its

biographical nature and the role these men

played in the war.

Bussler,,M., Bussler, M.L., Kincaid, D., & Singer, G. (2001).Civil War minutes. Pittsburg, PA: Inecon. (Memphis Public Library Call Number 973.78 C582)

Experience the Civil War in twenty 4-8

minutes segments featuring never before

seen photographs, artifacts and hundreds of

rare painting and engravings. Learn about

the lives through their handwritten letters

home and find out what it was like.

[OCLC]

I chose this video because of the never

before seen footage and the shortness of the

segments. I believe the rarity of what is

being featured would hold the viewer’s

attention well.

Internet Resources• Internet resources can be used to explore broad topics or to narrow the focus of a topic. This

section provides two examples of child friendly websites related to the Civil War that support instruction. These sites contain links about the Civil War and Reconstruction. It has informational links about the war including videos and to the U. S. Civil War Center. I chose it because it provides an extensive amount of resources dedicated to teaching students about the War.

http://www.besthistorysites.net/USHistory_CivilWar.shtml

http://www.pbs.org/civilwar/