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Hard Tack and Coffee

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Hard Tack and Coffee

By: John D. Billings
Narrated by: Jim Roberts
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About this listen

First published more than 100 years ago, Hard Tack and Coffee is John Billings' absorbing account of the everyday life of a US Army soldier during the Civil War. It is written by a person who would know the material best, a genuine Civil War soldier.

Public Domain (P)1992 Jimcin Recordings Military United States Civil War War Solider

Editorial reviews

United States Civil War veteran John D. Billings' Hard Tack and Coffee first hit the best-seller list way back in 1888, and has ever since been considered by historians to be a peerless source of information about the humdrum lives of soldiers fighting in one of the most brutal periods of conflict in US history.

Jim Roberts takes care to draw out Billings' characteristic humor in his performance of this work, clearly articulating Billings' tales of his day-to-day life and activities as a Union soldier. This work may be of special interest to Civil War reenactors, who will find it full of vivid details about the mundaneness of a soldier's life beyond the battlefield.

Critic Reviews

"His account is often full of humor as he describes soldiers' rations, fights with lice, and camp songs. Narrator Roberts does a good job overall." (AudioFile)

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Highly regarded book - not my favorite

This book covers the exact mechanics of many aspects the Union Army. What the rents were, clothing, flags, animals, wagons, etc…. Didn’t even touch on people feelings about the war or who they were as people. Didn’t cover the battles. So kind of a niche view of the war.

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