Customer Reviews

Atlanta and the War

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

 

 

This book provides more detail on the march to Atlanta than other histories I have read. It also provides maps of the various battles, as well as some pictures.
The major fault is that the author says there are not remnants of the battle. There are many. The Kennesaw Mountain battlefield is a national park. The Resaca and Dalton battlefields are identified. Picketts Mill battlefield is a park complete with re enactors working there. There are hundreds of signs all over Georgia and especially the Atlanta area identifying battle sites, and units engaged at the sites.

Through other reading, I had developed a negative opinion of Gen Hood. This book shows him not only to be stupid and overly agressive, oblivious of the wasting of men his poor generalship accomplished, but also a backstabber, writing negative comments about Johnston's generalship to Jeff Davis, but also in disobeying orders to fight at the critical battles of Resaca, and Tunnel Hill. He also did not obey Jeff Davis's orders to defend a move by Sherman east to the sea. Having been to the battlefield areas, of Resaca and Tunnel Hill,I wondered how the Union Army could penetrate those impregnable positions. Since Hood did not occupy them it made it easy for the Union.
A very good read for one who wants to know more detail about the battle of Atlanta.
A forced evacuation of the city, documented in few other places, is described.

I found this book on the advancement of General Sherman from Tennesse through the state of Georgia very interesting.
The book has a good supply of pictures from beginning to end. Many books of higher prestige are very sparse with photos, this was not. As with most civil war books there are not many maps of key skirmishes, small battles, or important movements. Its like many authors say to the reader, "go ahead and imagine what is going on here".
It is hard to be a real fan of the way the way that Sherman conducted himself in war, yet he was relentless in his pursuit of The Army of Tenn., battering the city of Atlanta, and paralyzing the railroads in Ga.
I am glad I found this book.

An excellent ,in depth look at how and why the winning of the battle for Atlanta was so difficult and important.
So much written about battles concentrate on statistics,battle plans and other details. In this book, you will become intimately knowledgeablewith the personality of the Generals involved,particularly on the local scene but also back at Headquarters and Washington.
The book goes deeply into the motives that influenced the Generals;particularly General Sherman.
The author has given us the benefit of what must have been a tremendous amount of reaearch into all the available records. He even quotes the letters Sherman wrote to his wife throughout the campaign.
Yes;Sherman was a very tough General;but he knew what had to be done to secure victory and he never flinched in completing his mission.
The book abounds in the General's personal thoughts and actual words spoken.The book also abounds in excellent maps,drawings,artwork and photographs .To the astute student of the Civil War;you will find an excellent set of notes referencing virtually everything covered in the book.
I thought I had a reasonable understanding of Sherman's victory in Atlanta; but this book gives a very different slant on this part of the war.It certainly increased my understanding of what went on in the minds of the Generals involved.
The book goes into great detail;but not in a way of being heavy or boring. It is a very easy read and I learned something which had never occurred to me before.Let me quote from page 158;

"Men of both sides generally concurred in their estimates of U.S. Gen.James B. McPherson. At the age of thirty-five and considered handsome,McPherson was one of the ablest and best-liked Civil War generals.He was the only commander of a Union army to die in combat.While the battle of Atlanta raged,his comrades agreed that his loss was irreparable.Years later Grant praised him as having been one of the "ablest,purest and best generals"on either side."
Whether an expert historical student of the Civil War,or someone like me whose favorite movie of all is ,"Gone With The Wind" ;this book will have something for everyone.

After the first review by "A reader from London" and a Sherman apologist, and "One Star", and no review... just diatribe, I will buy this book and see what it says. It must be good.

Mr Garrison should stick to writing `Cartoon Comic` Civil War books, and I would love to suggest further titles to add to his funny papers collection such as "Did you know any old professor or teacher can write a thesis about General Sherman`s March and as long as it is derogatory to the great man it will be met with respect in certain quarters" Or perhaps that title is too long - Howabout Much More Civil War Curiosities, or Civil War Curiosities I have Known - or even Top Ten Civil War Hits of 1863? Another piece of advice, Mr Garrison do not, sir, give up your day job and try to run with the big boys of American history such as McPherson, Catton, McFeely - this book belongs in the section marked jumping on the band wagon with nothing new to say along with Lee Kennett`s Marching Through Georgia and Burke Davis Sherman`s March. If I were a teacher, which thank goodness I am not, I would give all three books 1 out of 10 ( over generous)and keep all three `authors` in to copy out the following lines: " I must always do thorough research before I write a book...I must always do thorough research before...