I'm reading a lot of threads from Specific Exam Feedback and General Discussion about the DSST Civil War & Reconstruction. I'm currently studying the U.S. History I Sparknotes 101 and REA's CLEP History I study guides now, as well as IC and REA's practice test.

I would like to another book for DSST Civil War & Reconstruction now, so I will have them available after I complete U.S. History I.

Not sure if I need sparknotes, if I already have Sparknotes 101 and REA guides for U.S. History I and II, which covers Civil War & Reconstruction. I would like to get another book to read. I'm seeing several people mention Civil War for Dummies. I'm looking at the table of contents for that book and not seeing anything about reconstruction. Not sure if I should get Jack Rudman's Civil War & Recon. I have some concerns because somebody mentions in amazon that it has some errors. I saw the "Ordeal By Fire: The Civil War and Reconstruction" but 800 pages is a little too much. lol.

Other option, I noticed the local library has "Ordeal by Fire" but I think it's like the first edition because it's dated 1982. It says 694 pages. the ISBN is 0394312066. What's the difference between the order edition of "Ordeal by Fire?" Even if I want to buy the book, I'm seeing the order edition selling like mad for under 5 dollars.

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Brian R. Fey Sr. +
M.S. - Psychology
B.S. - Criminal Justice
A.S. - Administrative Management

Thanks for the feedback, just wanted to make sure. I was curious Civil War for Dummies contained reconstruction, but after checking the library, I noticed they have Ordeal by Fire: The Civil War and Reconstruction I had that one requested to go to my local library. Only difference, the book is 1st edition, whereas 3rd edition I would have to pay like 50 to 80 bucks as the library doesn't have that edition. Also going to order those two sparknotes today.

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Brian R. Fey Sr. +
M.S. - Psychology
B.S. - Criminal Justice
A.S. - Administrative Management

Joel66,

I aced this exam recently and my main study guides were IC (of course), and two very small purple Sparknotes books. The books were 1) The Civil War, and 2) Reconstruction. The books were $5.00 each. Along with IC and those two extremely small books the exam was extremely easy, and to be honest with you I only skimmed the Reconstruction book so it really wasn't needed by the time I got around to reading it I was tired and felt that I was ready. I purchased the books @ a local Barnes and Noble store here in Atlanta. I promise you if you know the IC material and read the Sparknotes Civil War Book (small purple and $5.00) you will not FAIL in fact you will ace the exam.


Good Luck,
Don G.

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Don G. -Atlanta, GA
A.S. Liberal Arts , Excelsior College,3/2007
B.S. Liberal Studies, Excelsior College,"On the Way"

"Forget about all the reasons why something may not work. You only need to find one good reason why it will"
--Dr. Robert Anthony

Does "The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Civil War" cover the reconstruction, or is the sparknotes enough?

Thanks for the info Don. I posted my previous reply and didn't had a chance to read yours.

Reading 400 pages should take me just an extra week at the most. From reading the U.S. History test, I'm more intested in wanting to know more about the civil war.

P.S. Don't want Civil War videos by Ken Burns when you're tired. I was pretty busy at work yesterday and decided to watch the first video around 8pm last night. My wife said I started snoring around 8:30

The same thing happens to me all the time, the funny thing is my wife will come in and turn the tv and lights off, and leave me on the sofa snoring. She won't even wake me up and tell me to get in the bed. In the past I would get mad about it , but now I am used to it. So I really have to be careful about when and were I am going to study.


Don G.

__________________
Don G. -Atlanta, GA
A.S. Liberal Arts , Excelsior College,3/2007
B.S. Liberal Studies, Excelsior College,"On the Way"

"Forget about all the reasons why something may not work. You only need to find one good reason why it will"
--Dr. Robert Anthony