One of my old new projects is Blog 4 History, a history website that I’m working on. Chris, a history teacher, started the blog long ago and it has a lot of great history, especially about the Civil War. Check out some of his older posts here: http://www.blog4history.com/2008/
Joe Duck
Have Blog. Will Travel. Vaccinate!
Joe Duck 
It may be that you are already aware of the 18c naturalised U.S. citizen and influential Thomas Paine, (certainly little known in his country of origin, England) but, if not, his writings are well worth reading.
Although he was more the moral philosopher than historian, he does offer some very illuminating comments on not just the U.S. Civil War, and how that events unfolded, but also on how British and European history and events have been intertwined with that early U.S. history.
One aspect of Thomas Paine’s contribution was that he was involved in the drafting of the U.S. Constitution and, because of his reputation from that, also became ’embroiled’ in the drafting of the French revolutionary constitution too. Having intended to be away from his beloved America for just one year, because of his anti-monarchy views he became persona non grata in England and ‘escaped’ to France, only become legged up in the revolutionary events there too. It transpire that he was unable to return to America for fifteen years (if I recall correctly?) and his reflections on the various U.S. political representatives in France and back at home during that period provide quite a contrast to some comments on major players of that period.
It must be said though, his writings do tend to overlap because he used similar material for several of his books and pamphlets. However, an pertinent aspect does become patently clear to those who are prepared to maintain an open mind. Prominent politicians and religious clerics were and are rarely to be trusted and nothing has changed in their devious, dishonest and self-promoting philosophies!
There is also a Thomas Paine Society:-
http://www.thomaspainesocietyuk.org.uk/
I am sure there will be a U.S. ‘arm’ to this too.
Apolgies for a couple of spelling errors. It always happens that one finds them after checking and checking and then posting!