Generals in Gray: Lives of the Confederate Commanders [Hardcover]

Ezra J. Warner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1989

When Generals in Gray was published in 1959, scholars and critics immediately hailed it as one of the few indispensable books on the American Civil War. Historian Stanley Horn, for example, wrote, "It is difficult for a reviewer to restrain his enthusiasm in recommending a monumental book of this high quality and value." Here at last is the paperback edition of Ezra J. Warner’s magnum opus with its concise, detailed biographical sketches and—in an amazing feat of research—photographs of all 425 Confederate generals. The only exhaustive guide to the South’s command, Generals in Gray belongs on the shelf of anyone interested in the Civil War.

AUTHOR BIO: Ezra J. Warner (1910–1974) was also the author of Generals in Blue. A native of Lake Forest, Illinois, he lived in La Jolla, California and was well known for his work in Civil War biography.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 420 pages
• Publisher: Louisiana State University Press; 1ST edition (January 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807108235
• ISBN-13: 978-0807108239
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.4 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #192,945 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A must have reference work, February 12, 2001

By 

Candace Scott (Lake Arrowhead, CA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Generals in Gray: Lives of the Confederate Commanders (Hardcover)

If you have even an ancillary interest in the American Civil War, this is essential to read and to own. I consult my copy on a weekly basis and I've owned it for twenty years. Warner writes well and succinctly about all of the Confederate Generals. Each biography is accompanied by a single photograph of the subject. The book is like a large biographical dictionary, easy to navigate and peruse at your leisure. If you are interested in in-depth material on any of these Generals, it's best to consult an individual biography of your chosen favorite. But if you have a casual interest or merely want an essential reference tool, this is a "must have."

Many historians have compiled lists of the most influential and indispensable civil war books of the 20th century. Invariably, Warner's book is included, along with the companion volume on Union Generals. It's not fancy, but it remains one of the preeminent biographical tools for any civil war historian.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GENERALS IN GRAY -- LIVES OF THE CONFEDERATE COMMANDERS, December 25, 1999

By 

DANIEL E. WYATT (HAYWARD, CALIFORNIA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Generals in Gray: Lives of the Confederate Commanders (Hardcover)

Generals in Gray -- Lives of Confederate Commaders. Published by Louisiana State University(1959) Ezra J. Warner gives biographical information on all 425 Confederate Generals.He gives facts about service in the -- Old Army-- and reasons why men followed the Lost Cause. This book along with Generals in Blue -- Lives of Union Commanders has excellent scholarship.Generals in Gray is a library must for buffs of the War Between the States.Mr. Warner died in 1974

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Source of Information on Confederate Generals!, March 27, 2004

By 

Michael Taylor "Michael Taylor" (Indian Trail NC) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Generals in Gray: Lives of the Confederate Commanders (Hardcover)

I remember first reading Generals in Gray as a teenager and have often referred back to the book over the years.

Warner gives a synopsis of each general , usually containing the following information:

1. Birthplace and birthdate.
2. Pre-Civil War life.
3. Battles served in, promotions, woundings, death (if applicable).
4. Postwar career (if he survived the war).
5. Death and place burial.
6. Brief mention of the general's competency (or lack thereof).
7. Relationships with other generals (superior, subordinate).

I have often found the book to be extremely helpful when reading a book on a particular Civil War battle. Doing so helps me to better understand the general when studying a particular battle.

Whether you have a serious interest in the Civil War or a novice, I highly recommend the book as an excellent reference!