Customer Reviews

Ashes of Glory: Richmond at War

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've read all three outstanding Civil War-era books by Ernest Furgurson, and "Ashes of Glory" is the finest of the them all. Where "Chancellorsville 1863" and "Not War, But Murder" focus on individual battles -- and do so superbly -- "Ashes of Glory" is as much social as military history. The book captures the emotions and experiences of the Richmond population throughout the war's five-year ordeal. Along the way, we meet an eclectic cast of characters: well known leaders like Lee and Jeff Davis; fire and brimstone editorial writers; Union loyalists; brothel madames; aristocrats-turned-hospital-care-givers, and just ordinary folk. One of the most interesting is Elizabeth Van Lew, a Unionist whose selfless (often brazen) acts of courage earn the eternal gratitude of Commanding General U.S. Grant.

Furgurson is an exceptional writer and storyteller. However, his true talent is in spicing his narrative with compelling anecdotes that bring his story to life. Especially poignant is his description of the defeated Lee's return to Richmond following Appomattox. The clandestine efforts to reclaim the body of a Union officer killed during a putative mission to assassinate Confederate leaders is another sparkling gem.

"Ashes of Glory" will make for engaging reading for anyone interested in U.S. history.

I liked Furguson's book on Chancellorsville and decided to give this one a try. Good thing because this is simply the best book I have read on wartime Richmond. The book starts off in 1859 describing pre-war Richmond and the sentiment in the city. Furguson does a great job of using newspapers, diaries, and letters to convey how ordinary citizens felt during the war. The author does an excellent job portraying the economic, political, and military situation of wartime Richmond from lots of perspectives. This book is highly readable, fast-paced, and just a good read. Very interesting and informative.

This book will enthrall the casual civil war reader and delight the enthusiast. Drawing on a wide range of first person accounts, the author does an excellent job of giving civil war era Richmond rhythm and life. As the fortunes of the Confederacy ebb and flow with each battle, so does the public mood in the capital of the rebellion. The author weaves this always interesting life of a city under seige and pregnant with the hope of a new history into a fascinating story. Not only are the thoughts and recollections of the history makers used (Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee, Govs. Lascher and Smith), but also the wartime experiences of junior officers, clerks, business people, spys, prostitutes and other everyday folk.

This book is an interesting tale of people coping with an impossible situation that progresses from overwhelming to calamitous over the course of the war. The experienced Civil War reader will enjoy learning about life in a City that is usually coverd as a military objective in most books of this genre

Recommended

As a native Richmonder and Civil War history neophite, this book opened my eyes to the range of emotions this city lived through in those unique years. With excerpts ranging from Confederate/Union government officials, ordinary citizens, freed/captive slaves,and so many others, the diversity of experiences in this book are truly amazing. I couldn't put it down!

Furgurson has done an excellent job of recreating Richmond during the Civil War. He is particularly strong on the Union intelligence efforts in Richmond, making good use of both diaries and official records. I agree with the comment that better maps would have helped; the publisher apparently simply recopied 19th century maps out of copyright.

This is a book long overdue. It sits next to my copy of Margaret Leech's great Reveille in Washington 1860-1865, and holds its own in that exalted company. Much of the action behind the lines in the Civil War was more interesting than (and probably just as influential as) events up front, and Furgurson has done a fine job of reporting on Richmond's unhappy time. Impressive research and documentation. Highly recommended--no matter which side you back

Earnest B. Furgurson has written a powerful and exciting account on Civil War Richmond, Virginia. This book is a real page turner and gives you a front row seat with what it was like to be a rebel, both soldier and civilian inside the Confederate Capital. The personal detail that went into this account will leave the reader in awe. This book is absolutely nothing shy of pure entertainment to the Civil War Enthusiast.

Richmond was not unlike Washington. Jeff Davis was here along with the southern military. The city was filled with hospitals. The paper and its reporters along with the wealthy and the average people helped make up the city. Spies were everywhere and ladies of the night were available. Four years of war with the Union Army's eyes always on Richmond. This is interesting story and a very informative book about Richmond. By Ruth Thompson author of "Natchez Above The River," and "The Bluegrass Dream"

As a native Richmonder, I found this book a interesting insight into the hardships that a capital city indures when at war with a superior force.In gives a excellent account of the trials of the civilian,as well as the military population of of a city facing certain defeat.Well written and able to maintain the readers interest...

This book is well researched and well written. And it is a good thing that, for a change, the "civilians" get their say-so and that their fate in war and battle is honored. I find it a slight flaw, though, that the author gave relatively short shrift to the military side of this conflict, especially the reasoning of the Union commanders. The maps could be better, and should be listed in the frontispiece. They are hard to find. But the illustrations are superb.