How America Fought Its Wars: Military Strategy From The American Revolution To The Civil War [Hardcover]

Victor Brooks (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 21, 1999

The new American nation fought for its survival against a variety of enemies, both foreign and domestic, during a series of wars from 1775 to 1865. Victor Brooks examines in considerable detail the various battles and campaigns of the early wars fought by the young republic, in search of common factors that may have led to the nation's survival and triumph. The vast distances, sparse population, and supply problems endemic to all the campaigns in North America are carefully examined. In all its early wars, the United States relied upon a small force of professional soldiers backed up by larger numbers of short-term volunteers; the positive and negative effects of this policy in each war are considered. For each war, the commanders for each side are rated as to performance, and an analysis made of how their individual strengths and weaknesses may have influenced the outcome of the conflict.A specially commissioned series of maps make clear the various strategic and tactical issues at stake from the American Revolution to the end of the Civil War.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Victor Brooks teaches at Villanova University and is the author of several books (available from Da Capo), including The Normandy Campaign and The Boston Campaign. He lives in Pennsylvania.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press; First Edition edition (March 21, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580970028
• ISBN-13: 978-1580970020
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,168,273 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An outstanding new addition to the military history genre!, May 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: How America Fought Its Wars: Military Strategy From The American Revolution To The Civil War (Hardcover)

This book is a "must read" for anyone interested in American history. It contains some of the most original new ideas about military strategies and leadership out there. The alternative scenarios were especially thought-provoking - and the authors' "report card" of the military leaders generated several very interesting discussions/debates with colleagues.

An excellent read! I would highly recommend it.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Satisfied Reader from California, January 19, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: How America Fought Its Wars: Military Strategy From The American Revolution To The Civil War (Hardcover)

This is an excellent book in that it not only has little-known and important facts, but also includes anecdotes about each battle, and a review of each general's strange personality traits. Despite a few editing errors, I really enjoyed this book because it brought things that happened hundreds of years ago alive. Also, it was fun to learn about such obscure facts as the pyschological diseases that ailed certain Civil War generals. Overall, this was a quick, fun read that I would recommend to anyone who likes American history, or to anyone who is bored by American history, and is looking for a way to connect it to everyday life.