Customer Reviews

Allegiance: Fort Sumter, Charleston, and the Beginning of the Civil War

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First off I must admit that I love Charleston. I love the city and the people. Therefore, I know that this probably influenced my review.

Being a military history buff, I DO NOT like the type of history that reads like a road map (XlXII corps moved here, VXII platoon took hill 4345, blah,blah,blah). I want to know the story of what happened. This book tells a wonderful story about a man who, for a short time, represented the whole conflict for both sides. His name was Major Robert Anderson and for a few months in 1861 he had in his hands the ability to start or stall the war based on what he did at Fort Sumter. This book captures the people and the times of this old Southern city better than any book I have ever read. Along the way you will meet many of the people destined for greatness later in the war.

I have visited Fort Sumter on several occasions but I never really understood the tense standoff that happened there until reading this book. In short, this is a great story and a great book.

A nice very detailed history of the few critical months at the beginning of the War Between the States (as we say in Georgia). Contains interesting details of life in the US Army and in Charleston not found elsewhere to the degree that you feel you are actually there. The author shifts easily back and forth to Washington DC for higher-level decisions. Interesting character sketches of Major Anderson and others involved in these perilous times. I would have given this five stars but for the author's weird tangents (McDonalds likes to fly the American flag? "It takes two to tango, but only one to do the twist"? etc.). He has been hanging around academia too long and occasionally slips in these bizarre little asides. Second only to Winik's April 1865 (describing the other end of the war) in this year's crop of War Between the States books. Buy it and ignore the groan-inducing little cutesies.

Dezter writes so well that you kind of lose yourself and you almost imagine that you don't know how this story is going to end. This is a through examination of Major Robert Anderson, a very underrated Civil War key figure for his bravery, tenacity, and even stupidity during the Sumter/Charleston Harbor crisis. of 1860 and 1861. His writing is simple, like a teacher would speak to a class, not like some stuffy old Ph.D. trying to impress his first year students in some intro level American History class. It flows and follows nicely chronologically, hitting no snags, qualit or substance wise throughout. Excellent, it receives my higest recommendation.

This author, and his fine and well-researched book, is very readable and difficult to put down.

The only criticisms I would offer are:

1. The one fault a large number of Mr Detzer's colleagues fall victim to; a lack of detailed, scaled maps. Even after reading the book and viewing the few vague sketches on offer, I do not believe I understand how large or elaborate Fort Sumter was, nor the geography or weaponry of its Palmetto-state enemy or of Charleston herself.
2. The shifting about in time. In trying to keep things coherent, the author takes an event in one place and develops it. This might take several days in real time. At the same time, something equally important is happening elsewhere. This means there is a backtrack in time. Perhaps, Mr Detzer should try to explain things more chronologically than geographically.

In the end though, an excellent read. One to whet the appetite. I would certainly be interested in acquiring more works relating to the War between the States authored by Mr Detzer.

This book provides information on the intertwined events that escalated into the 'collision' so many had tried to avoid. The author does strong work showing the back-room negotiations and politics that took place during the Fort Sumter crisis. Equally strong is the portrait of the fort's commanding officer,Major Robert Anderson. A humaine soldier who tried to both avoid the looming conflict and follow vague ambiguous orders. This book limits itself to describing the events that led directly to the beginning of hostilities. A subject usually given brief notice in other books on the civil war era. However, it is within this limited scope that the author paints riveting scenes, suspense and tension are palpable long before the first shot is fired. A must read for anyone who has visited Fort Sumter (and/or Fort Moultrie)or who plans to visit the Charleston,S.C. area.

Not usually the history buff, this book showed me an entirely new perspective on the actual events of not only Fort Sumter but the Civil War itself. David Detzer creates wonderful images and develops personalities so very well in print. For that reason, this book clearly defines the hardship and heartbreak of Charleston, Fort Sumter, and so many of the soldiers and their families. Obviously painstakingly researched, the author has shown us the facts without extolling or denouncing the beliefs of the times. Truly a great read.

I was bit surprised to find this book on the bargain bin at Barnes and Noble since the book proves to be quite excellent in portarying events surrounding the events at Charleston, South Carolina and attack on Fort Sumter. Key figure, Major Robert Anderson comes alive in this book as he toed the thin line between war and peace - a line that was getting thinner by the day.

The book proves to be well written, well researched and provides interesting insights into the mindset of situation at hand. I didn't see any obvious bias toward any sides although the author appears to be bit disappointed in Lincoln's initial behavior toward Anderson while forgetting under what conditions Lincoln was in when he initially took power.

Anyway, if you are interested in the Civil War and able to get this book such reduced price, it would be foolish not to buy it since the book is worth the price even at its original sticker.

This could have been a very dry report but it was fascinating. I never thought I'd find a description of the process of firing artillery so interesting! He really brings the politics and the human issues into focus.

The start of a war is always interesting; we cannot read to many books on Bunker Hill or Ft. Sumter. Mr. Detzer treats us to a very readable beginning of the American Civil War and the city that started it. 1861 Charleston is well drawn, very understandable and engaging as a city on the brink of war. Major Robert Anderson determined to do his duty with little guidance from above and constant criticism from below, takes center stage. Washington, distant and unsure is as much of a problem for him as the Rebel guns in the harbor. Presenting the position of the Confederate Government and the "fire eaters" in Charleston as they see events helps the reader understand the decisions made. While not agreeing or disagreeing, the author informs and guides the reader through this complex time.

David Detzer provides an excellent look at the earliest days of the Civil War and the events that led to its outbreak in his three book series. Book one Allegiance looks at the motives and the occurrences that put the nation into Civil War. While war may have seemed inevitable in retrospect, for the days leading up to Fort Sumter it was not a forgone conclusion. Detzer follows not only Sumter but the two other forts in Charleston harbor that put the nation into war. While inactive government on both sides prolonged the conflict both sides ineptitude would lead to war. Bravery and quick thinking on the union side would stave off disaster while the confederacies lack of resources bought time that lead to the hope of the Union.

To echo the other reviewers I have to point out that this is one of the better written history books out there. It flows quickly and with an interesting story that is characteristic of Detzer's books and brings the reader in quickly wanting to know what happens next. It is a fascinating way to read history and it gives not only a military and political perspective but takes you into the personal lives of the people who defended and attacked Fort Sumter. For those who want to see what was occurring in the days before the civil war this is the best book to do it.