Customer Reviews

Sheridan in the Shenandoah: 2nd Edition (Stackpole)

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

 

 

A fine account of a most interesting and crucial series of Civil War battles. Stackpole treats everyone very fairly. Broad in its scope, audacious in its execution this book analyzes the Confederacy's third and final invasion of the North. A very excellent work that is well worth the time.

This is a solid piece of work, and--in its time--was one of the better resources on the Shenandoah campaign of 1864, pitting Jubal Early and Phil Sheridan against one another, at the head of their respective forces. However, its age shows at some point.

The book begins by noting the strategic problems facing Robert E. Lee in the summer of 1864. Ulysses Grant was moving his large Army of the Potomac by a series of moves further south, closer to Richmond. His troops were taking large losses--but the Army of Northern Virginia was getting bled down as well.

For a variety of reasons, Lee sent his Second Corps under Early (Lee's "bad old man") to the Shenandoah Valley. Among his tasks--demonstrate Washington DC, help the breadbasket of the Confederacy (the Valley) to produce food, and so on.

The book chronicles nicely the early and very successful stage of Early's efforts. With the arrival of Phil Sheridan, lots of Sheridan's cavalry, and abundant ground troops, the tide began to turn. The books describes the battles and the final expulsion of Early from the Valley.

All in all, a solid book. But as an epilogue by Scott Hartwig points out, Stackpole probably took some commentators too seriously; he did not have access to more recent information. In short, this would get more points for its role as an early, detailed work on the campaign; however, it has become dated over time. Hence, 3 stars.

Thgis is a great war book. Its an easy read. Well worth your money.