36 of 43 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
A Monumental Failure, February 19, 2000
This review is from: General James Longstreet in the West: A Monumental Failure (Civil War Campaigns and Commander Series) (Paperback)
Contrary to the report on the cover of the book stating that the author is objective, there is nothing objective about the author's views of James Longstreet. She is obviously a victim of the gross distortion of fact concerning Longstreet beginning in 1872 when Jubal Early launched his Lee Deification campaign. The book has left out half of the facts in order to conclude the author's interpretation of "truth". The most annoying thing about this book is that there are no sources of reference or notes. Where is she getting her facts? Please let her share her sources with the rest of us. Also, where is the bibliography? The back of the book has a list of "other suggested reading", but no bibliography which makes me highly question the resources "researched" by the author.
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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Lost Cause Propaganda, June 17, 2009
This review is from: General James Longstreet in the West: A Monumental Failure (Civil War Campaigns and Commander Series) (Paperback)
Like the other reviewers, after reading this hatchet job on Longstreet, I felt the need to get on Amazon and let Civil War enthusiasts know this is not a responsible piece of historical writing. I cannot understand how somone with a PhD can write such innacurate and partisan nonsense, and that publisher picked it up! Don't waste your time on this book.
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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Longstreet was THE ONLY Monumental Success in the West, December 5, 2009
This review is from: General James Longstreet in the West: A Monumental Failure (Civil War Campaigns and Commander Series) (Paperback)
I sure wasted seventy four cents of next semester's book money buying this garbage. In the annals of incorrect titles and thesis, does a first place belong to this poor attempt at a book? The product description says: An objective and realistic look at a Confederate commander by a respected historian. Are you kidding! Of all the vitriolic nonsense ever written about a Civil War figure, this has to be the worst! There is almost nothing in this partisan mess that is correct. Respected historian? I don't see it. Hallock really overlooks quite a few events, and twists this history into something bizarre.
Hallock misses the simple fact that General Longstreet showed up at Chickamauga, after a grueling 1,100 miles trip by train from Virginia, arrived around 11.00pm, was not greeted or led to general Bragg's HQ, but found it himself in strange surroundings, and then after the meeting planned and executed the next morning a masterful breakthrough that was the greatest victory in the Western Theater during the Civil War. That accomplishment in itself makes Longstreet the one Monumental Success in the West. Bragg was the monumental failure in the West and Judith Lee Hallock is a Monumental failure as a historian. Reading this worthless book, is like reading an angry, cranky, editorial in a 19th Century newspaper, by some Lost Causer eternally angry about losing the war, who could not stand that Longstreet stood for reunification. A lady who lives in the 20th Century, so angry about Bragg's failure at Chattanooga and blaming it on Longstreet; it is bizarre to say the least. (I wonder why she does not mention anything about Nathan Bedford Forrest, who so correctly told Bragg along with Longstreet to get the army moving after Chickamauga and attack again before it was too late? Probably because Forrest is one of the most respected Confederate generals for his exploits, and probably because he told Bragg off in his tent, and then left the army.
Bragg could never make up his mind. Longstreet attempted to get him on the right path of looking at key areas and places that they needed to attack or seize to prevent the forces in Chattanooga from being relieved. That was a concept Bragg could not understand, but for Longstreet it was common sense, and what he was used to working under Robert E. Lee. After Chickamauga, Longstreet was hamstrung like all the other Confederate generals who worked for Bragg. Longstreet can take a little blame for not showing any sensitivity when speaking to Bragg, but then who has ever heard of a sensitive general that gets things done. For speaking his mind when and the way he did, he should receive praise. He was right to ask the authorities in Richmond to send for Robert E. Lee so he could straighten out the problems Bragg had so pervasively created. Robert E. Lee would have won at Chattanooga, and that probably irritates Hallock to death!
One has to wonder from what sort of degree mill did this author get her PhD? What an irresponsible bunch of propaganda. If you want to read a great book on Longstreet read the one by Col. Knudson or Jeffry Wert.
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