Civil War Pathfinder Brenda Young University of Memphis November 23, 2008
Dec 23, 2015
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/