Book Talk — 'The Three-Cornered War' by Megan Kate Nelson, U.S. Army Museum

Pulitzer Prize finalist Megan Kate Nelson discusses her highly acclaimed book, “The Three-Cornered War: The Union, the Confederacy, and Native Peoples in the Fight for the West.”

Dr. Nelson reveals the fascinating history of the Civil War in the American West by exploring the connections among the Civil War, the Indian Wars and western expansion. She re-frames the era as one of national conflict—involving not just the North and South, but also the West and its peoples. Nelson tells the story through the lives of nine charismatic individuals who fought for self-determination and control of the region and shows the importance of individual actions amid a larger military conflict. “The Three-Cornered War" is a captivating story—based on letters, diaries, military records, oral histories, photographs and maps from the time—that sheds light on an overlooked chapter of American history.

Dr. Nelson is a historian and writer, with a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and a Ph.D. from the University of Iowa. She is a Society for American Historians fellow in recognition of the narrative power and scholarly distinction of her historical work. Her book, "This Strange Country: Yellowstone and the Reconstruction of America," was released in March 2022.

In monthly Book Talks authors of recent books on Army and military history discuss their work with the public.

[InTTruder]

My GGF William McCleave served with the California Volunteer Cavalry. I’ll follow your work; I should learn something.

Thanks!

[hoserneb]

Excellent video - good story teller- excellent history