Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #29539 in DVD
• Released on: 2003-08-26
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Black & White, Closed-captioned, Color, DVD-Video, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 350 minutes

Amazon.com
Packed with nearly six hours of historical material, The Last Days of the Civil War provides a fascinating study of a nation in the painful throes of transition. The five History Channel programs compiled here effectively combine to form a multifaceted account of the pivotal events of 1864-65, when the bloodshed of civil war slowly brought forth a government (in the words of President Abraham Lincoln) "of the people by the people for the people," that would define the United States as it progressed toward the 20th century. The cornerstone of this two-disc set is "April 1865: The Month That Changed America," which thoroughly examines the most tumultuous month in U.S. history, encompassing Gen. Robert E. Lee's ill-fated campaigns including carnage at Sailor's Creek and eventual retreat from Richmond, Virginia, and Confederate surrender to Gen. U.S. Grant at Appomattox on April 9, 1865. Add the brutal efficiency of Sherman's March, Booth's plot to assassinate Lincoln, and administrative mistakes that put Lee at a strategic disadvantage, and you begin to see (with input from authoritative scholars, authors, and historians) how Union victory was purely a matter of circumstance.

While the factual details and expert interviews grow somewhat redundant (as does the repeated use of archival photos and documents), the sheer accumulation of historical detail makes this set a perfect complement to Ken Burns's epic documentary The Civil War, which clearly influenced these programs. "The Tragedy at Cold Harbor" examines the war's lesser-known catastrophic battle, while biographical portraits of Lincoln, Lee, and Confederate president Jefferson Davis reflect major events through the lives of the war's most influential leaders, north and south. Geared toward viewers with a basic awareness of Civil War history, these programs depict the inevitable chaos of an erratic war, unleashed in a country that needed to rip itself apart before it could reunite to forge a new and brighter future. --Jeff Shannon

From the Back Cover
It was the gravest crisis in American history. For four bitter years, Union and Confederate troops battled to determine the fate of a divided nation, with the outcome unclear until the very end. THE LAST DAYS OF THE CIVIL WAR explores this critical period through five original programs. April 1865: The Month That Saved America, based on Jay Winik's bestselling book, chronicles the remarkable succession of events leading from the fall of Richmond to Appomattox. Civil War Combat: The Tragedy at Cold Harbor details the brutal, 10-month battle many feel was the war's turning point. And in-depth profiles--two from the award-winning BIOGRAPHY series--illuminate the personalities at the heart of the conflict: Abraham Lincoln, Jefferson Davis, and Robert E. Lee. Explore the forces, figures and events that defined the end of a tragic era-and shaped the nation that emerged. DVD Features: Gettysburg Address; Interactive Menus; Scene Selection

Customer Reviews

Civil War
My son is stationed in Qatar currently. He doesn't get much American TV, so he watches DVDs. He is a Civil War buff, so he loved this set! I loved the shipping to APOs! Some sites don't offer it or charge ridiculous fees (Walmart) to ship to APOs. I am very pleased with this purchase!

Last days of the civil war
Arrived in a timely fashion. Was in excellent condition. enjoyed by the whole family

LAST DAYS OF THE CIVIL WAR
I WAS ESPECIALLY GRATIFIED IN VIEWING THE 3 PERSONALITIES AND EVENTS OF THIS DVD.THERE ARE REVELATIONS CONTAINED IN THIS ASPECT OF THE PROGRAM THAT EVEN THE MOST DIEHARD OF CIVIL WAR BUFFS WILL APPRECIATE LEARNING ABOUT.I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS PROGRAM.