Customer Reviews

Lee at Chattanooga: A Novel of What Might Have Been

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I picked up a copy for two reasons: I enjoy alternate history, and I'm a Chattanooga native. The more I read, the closer it brought me to the actual battlesites-which I haven't visited in over a decade. The characters were well written and seemed alive; I thoroughly enjoyed the details. A Sidewise Award Nominee for 2002. For Civil War fans I also recommend Ward Moore's Bring the Jubilee and Harry Harrison's Stars and Stripes Trilogy.

Civil War expert Dennis McIntire's Lee At Chattanooga: A Novel Of What Might Have Been is a fascinating "what if" alternate history novel about Robert E. Lee and Braxton Bragg. Lee At Chattanooga is an intriguing and imaginative exploration of the perennial question: what if it had been Lee who was involved in the Chattanooga campaign? A heavily researched and fascinatingly explored scenario unfolds in the resulting intricate chronicle, Lee at Chattanooga. Dennis McIntire's makes his characters come alive and this unusual story unfold with such compelling realism that he has created a work of historical fiction which totally engages the reader from first page to last -- and makes Lee At Chattanooga a "must read" for all dedicated Civil War buffs.

I bought this book on a whim, and boy am I glad I did. I'm not much of a fan of the Harry Turtledove stuff (I do read it, it's just that I'm not *that* impressed) wherein the author attempts to follow all aspects and angles of a particular period of "alternative" history. Here, retired FBI agent Dennis McIntire (reportedly a life-long Civil War buff) attempts less, and winds up with more of a book as a result.

The book is told in the form of a memoir. It begins, in a brief introduction, with the narrator (Jed Hotchkiss, Stonewall Jackson's Cartographer) recounting the surrender of the Confederate army in 1864, then shifts to 1867. In the latter section, Hotchkiss meets Jefferson Davis' secretary at General Lee's funeral, and recounts to him the events surrounding General Lee's participation in the battle of Chattanooga, and the results that came from these events. I will tell you no more: you should read the book yourself to find out how things get screwed up.

This book essentially turns the genre of Civil War Alternative History (so far anyway) on its head. Instead of the Confederates winning the war and living on in glory, Lee's presence at Chattanooga actually hastens the end of the war. To my mind, it's the equivalent of the David Downing novel The Moscow Option, which purports to show that even if Hitler's generals had been directing strategy in WW2 things might not have gone as well as they'd hoped. I enjoyed this book a great deal. McIntire is a good writer, and the prose is more than serviceable. The plot is interesting, and makes sense, and the characterizations of the generals involved are in line with what we know of them. I would recommend this book to all Civil War buffs, though the rest of the public would have to know something about the war and the battle to get the full import of what the book is saying.

Somewhat of a historical novel buff, I picked up McIntire's book on a whim. While the subject matter looked promising, I later wondered if I'd picked up some kind of southern "yeah, well if Lee had been at Chattanooga . . ." sour grapes drivel (even being a southerner myself doesn't make me want to read THAT). It didn't take but a few moments - his prologue in fact - to realize that what I was reading was an impartial "what if", one which just happened to pick a Civil War battle as its subject.

And McIntire chooses his battles well. The battle of Chattanooga is widely know for its gaffs and heroics (on both sides) as well as its strategic importance. The North had the opportunity to completely strangle the South, and the South desperately needed to bounce back after devastating losses at Gettysburg and Vicksburg.

As someone who does not read textbook history well, I was pleased to find that McIntire writes both knowledgably and comfortably. The battle scenes are realistic and most characters are developed very well. Simply put, it is a good blend of history and the author's imagination, and that makes for a good read.

The study of history has taught me that every one has his, her, or their own story to tell and the right to tell it their way. This thought came to mind because as I read McIntire's novel, I realized that I would not have made the same choices in telling this story that he made in writing it. This does not mean that these were wrong choices, they were just not the ones I would have made. Since I would not want to introduce a spoiler here, it must suffice to say simply that as McIntire unfolded his story I felt he was giving away too much too soon. One of the delights of reading alternate history is the act of discovery of what changes and differences the author has introduced.

The title alone clearly states the principal change to history that is the backbone of this alternate history novel. Robert E. Lee has been persuaded to travel to Chattanooga in 1863, in the wake of the Confederate defeats at Gettysburg and Vicksburg. The idea is that the Confederacy's greatest soldier could reverse the direction of the war by engineering and inflicting a major defeat upon the Union forces bottled up in this Tennessee city after its reverse at Chickamauga.

"Lee at Chattanooga" avoids the major pitfalls confronting alternate history and presents some interesting character development often lacking in alternate history. It is an easy read, with no jarring bumps in either the historical framing of his historical narrative or the presentation of the historical personages introduced among his cast of characters. Frankly, I rather particularly enjoyed the figure of the innkeeper with his own perspective on the value and valor of service - to his customers.

Mr McIntire`s masterful blend of recorded history and the "what if" intrigue of this type of novel genre is a must read not only for civil war buffs but all people who are admirers of heartfelt writing.His intimate knowledge and passion for the period and the chosen events are evident throughout the book but the special value is embodied by the wonderful dialogue which is not only believable but highly entertaining.In some books,the "what if" style of writing can often go so astray that the reader is left to question the basic premise and authenticity of the piece.In this case,however,the author brilliantly interweaves the known with the "could have happened" in a way that is riveting and highly satisfying to both the civil war aficionado and the casual reader of history.If this is indeed his first novel,I can only patiently await his next rendition.During the interim,I highly recommend this initial effort.

The Absolute Best Civil War Alternate History to date
Absolutely superb. 5+ stars. Dennis McIntire's Lee at Chattanooga is the best Civil War alternate history I have read. It rivals the Shaaras father and son blockbuster Civil War trilogy. Well researched, Mr. McIntire examines the nuances of the principle characters through the eyes of Major Jedediah Hotchkiss, chief map maker to both General Lee and Jackson. Through his insightful faux reminisces we meet many of the major players in the western Confederate war theater during the siege of Chattanooga in November of 1863. Like a fly on the wall, Major Hotchkiss is there to give witness to this alternate history as it could have been. Beautifully written, perceptive, intuitive, Mr. McIntire provides interesting insights into those complex Civil War figures and how they "could have" interacted with each other. The dialog was done very well. I particularly liked the intense exchange between the genteel General Lee and the quixotic General Forrest. Two military geniuses who arrived at similar strategy and tactics via different routes.

Outstanding character development at all levels, No gratuitous violence, language or sex. Simply a very well done "believable" alternate history of the Civil War.

Highly recommended. This is the way alternate history should be written. You can tell that Mr. McIntire has done his homework. He does not try and overpower the reader with off-the-wall what ifs but rather writes a fluid, believable tale of what might have been. I only wish that Mr. McIntire would write more alternate histories as he is a master storyteller. Thank you Mr. McIntire.

I can't say much without giving the whole show away but this book goes above and beyond the usual "the south wins" scenario and is a pleasure to read in most respects. Good job Mr. McIntire

Being a civil war buff, I think this is an excellent piece. Congrats to the author. Are there any more coming from him?

Very intersting. I highly recommend this book. A good "what if".