I enjoyed reading this book. The beginning of the book recounts the author's discovery of the diary and his research to identify the author. The diary of Pvt. William J. McLean is then reproduced. The end of the book follows up on what happened to the soldier and his family after the war. I really liked reading about the day to day experiences during the war. The author has done a wonderful job researching the McLean Family and providing a background for the diary. The book is well written and easy to read. Anyone with an interest in the war or American History will enjoy this book.

I would like to thank Netgalley for sharing this book with me in return for an objective review. For anyone interested in the Civil War this is a fascinating and worthwhile book. There are countless books that approach the Civil War from a macro perspective offering deep insights and broad themes. Similarly, there are many many books describing the major players, both Union and Confederate. I have read and enjoyed many of both of these types of Civil War books. "The Making of a Civilian Soldier in the Civil War" belongs to the far smaller category of first hand accounts of the experiences of a 'regular person' during this turbulent period of American history. As such it complements this 'larger scale' books in a wonderful and powerful way. Like the diary of Mary Chestnut and other works it reminds us that under the grand themes, major battles, epic causes lie people like the rest of us, struggling with the realities of day to day life.

This is a fascinating glimpse into the life of William McLean, a typical Union volunteer, who joined the Federal (Union) army in the early stages of the American Civil War. Unfortunately, the reader is only able to read one of William’s diaries, covering the early stages of his assimilation into army life. The diaries providing details of his later experiences, including his part in the Battle of Fredericksburg in which he was wounded, are not available. Dennis Urban makes a valiant attempt to address these missing later years, providing detailed footnotes and providing potted histories of William McLean’s wider family. Whilst these provide the Civil War researcher with a treasure trove of material, it is arguable that this would have perhaps been better provided in a companion volume. Nonetheless, this book provides a fascinating insight into those aspects of a soldier’s life that are omitted from most histories of this great conflict. Through the pages of the diary the reader almost experiences her/himself the wide range of discomforts borne by troops on both sides of the Civil War, as well as the periods of monotony, interspersed with terror as the canon are heard slaughtering the ‘poor bloody infantry’ in a nearby battle.

If, like me, the experiences of the ordinary soldier are every bit as interesting and important as the Generals’ strategy and tactics in understanding how conflicts are fought to a conclusion you will find much to admire and enjoy in this book, even if the title may promise a little more than it can in reality deliver.

The Making Of a Civilian Soldier In The Civil War is a fascinating book. It gives you a different perspective on the soldiers.

Compelling new perspective on the Civil War. Gives a more personal look at the men. If you love reading about the war, this is a terrific new approach. Well written and keeps you hooked beginning to end.

I received ARC from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

All circumstances have a darkness and light. War is one of them. It is associated with death, destruction and conflict. The wounds inflicted on combatants and communities leave lasting scars that can take lifetimes to heal.

Despite this reality, there is a certain romance to war that even George Washington had to acknowledge. He is often quoted for saying in a letter he wrote to his brother during the French & Indian War that "...I heard the bullets whistle, and, believe me, there is something charming in the sound."

The best way to understand this quote is to read the accounts of the men and women who fought in war. The Making of A Civilian Soldier in the Civil War: The First Diary of Private William J. McLean Along the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal and the Affair at Edwards Ferry by Dennis Durban provides an opportunity to do just that.

Private McLean typifies the average recruit for the Union Army during the Civil War. A young, single man from a working class family. Many enlisted for the steady pay, adventure, sense of duty or any combination of these and a multitude of other factors. Private McLean, his father and his brother enlisted. They all survived and lived well beyond the war.

The diary begins in the opening months of Private McLean's service in spring of 1861. He spent much of this time in the nation's Capitol, then Washington City, and the northern Montgomery County, Maryland area. The beginning days are filled with sightseeing, camaraderie with fellow troops, and exploring his surrounding areas.

His reflections give a sense of a man who is happy and fulfilled. He wrote often about the time spent bonding with soldiers, enjoying the landscape and attending church and fellowship. After one prayer meeting he wrote "I felt blest and accepted of God."

Letter writing was also an important part of his daily routine. His diary carefully documents every letter he received and wrote. It was clear that this was one of the most cherished parts of his day.

As time goes on, the darker sides of war begin to emerge. The crowded and no doubt filthy living conditions eventually take a toll and he begins to experience bouts of dysentery and other illnesses. By the diary's end in October of 1861, Private McLean is spending more time on patrol. There are more skirmishes with the Confederates and soldiers being killed or captured. Unfortunately, this is where his diary ends.

The Making of a Civilian Soldier in the Civil War is an excellent read, particularly for a young teen or adult with any interest in history, the military, or even genealogical study. Durban describes in detail the process he used to determine the author of the diary, which was unknown when he first received it. This includes researching Census and pension records He goes through great lengths to provide context to the entries. The book also uses Private McLean's exact wording, spelling and grammar. Fortunately, he was educated, making it a pleasant and easy read.

Durban notes that many soldiers kept diaries because they knew that they were a part of a special moment in history and that their words would eventually matter. If Private McLean had that in mind, then he clearly wanted to convey the beauty of the moment and the places that provided solace and comfort during one of the darkest periods in American history.