Customer Reviews

Why the Confederacy Lost (Gettysburg Civil War Institute Books)

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

 

 

Mr Boritt does an outstanding job in bringing together several noted historians under one roof. Each author goes to the key underlying tones and brings the reader right to the point without dragging him through endless studies of tactics and military leadership.

This work is well balanced and sheds light into a subject that is often talked about but very rarely on an educated playing field. Too often basic tactics and strategy are molded together using 20th Century research methods to explain past issues and ideals. This work does not suffer from that finite method of study.

The ". . .hard-won triumph of the North was far from inevitable." How very true! This book is a must for every Civil War bookshelf.

Loved this book. It gets beyond the myths and legends (especially surounding southern prowess)to give what it deems the most significant factors of why the south lost. Although some of these concepts have become more accepted in recent years, at the time I read this, this book was the first place I saw these ideas. As a general rule, it see's both sides as having an equal chance at the start of the war. The "advantages" the north had were actually necessary for them to have any hope of victory considering the disadvantage of being the agressor in a time when the defense had tremendous advantage, and having to subdue an entire population. The southern "advantages" of interior lines, defensive fighting and a more military culture were the only reason they had a chance and were as successful as they were. Basically, it ws even-Steven starting out, and here's why the south lost. Great book.

I didn't find much new information with this text. Perhaps a novice reader would find much of this of interest. Given that these are a series of "lectures" of sorts from periodic seminars at a Gettysburg "think-tank", I found the reading to be somewhat flat - indeed, I felt like I was sitting in an auditorium listening to the respective authors "sounding-out" chapters for their next book! Glad I borrowed this from my local library!?#
Of interest however, was points made to question the often presupposed inevitability of Northern victory, as well as a recognition that the contributions of free/escaped blacks to the Union cause is attaining almost "mythical" status! A nod to political correct revisionism, perhaps?