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Shiloh, 1862 [Kindle Edition]

Winston Groom
4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)

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Book Description

A main selection in History Book-of-the-Month Club and alternate selection in Military Book-of-the-Month Club.

In the spring of 1862, many Americans still believed that the Civil War, "would be over by Christmas." The previous summer in Virginia, Bull Run, with nearly 5,000 casualties, had been shocking, but suddenly came word from a far away place in the wildernesses of Southwest Tennessee of an appalling battle costing 23,000 casualties, most of them during a single day. It was more than had resulted from the entire American Revolution. As author Winston Groom reveals in this dramatic, heart-rending account, the Battle of Shiloh would singlehandedly change the psyche of the military, politicians, and American people--North and South--about what they had unleashed by creating a Civil War.

In this gripping telling of the first "great and terrible" battle of the Civil War, Groom describes the dramatic events of April 6 and 7, 1862, when a bold surprise attack on Ulysses S. Grant's encamped troops and the bloody battle that ensued would alter the timbre of the war.

The Southerners struck at dawn on April 6th, and Groom vividly recounts the battle that raged for two days over the densely wooded and poorly mapped terrain. Driven back on the first day, Grant regrouped and mounted a fierce attack the second, and aided by the timely arrival of reinforcements managed to salvage an encouraging victory for the Federals.

Groom's deft prose reveals how the bitter fighting would test the mettle of the motley soldiers assembled on both sides, and offer a rehabilitation of sorts for Union General William Sherman, who would go on from the victory at Shiloh to become one of the great generals of the war. But perhaps the most alarming outcome, Groom poignantly reveals, was the realization that for all its horror, the Battle of Shiloh had solved nothing, gained nothing, proved nothing, and the thousands of maimed and slain were merely wretched symbols of things to come.

With a novelist's eye for telling and a historian's passion for detail, context, and meaning, Groom brings the key characters and moments of battle to life. Shiloh is an epic tale, deftly told by a masterful storyteller.


Editorial Reviews

Review

"Groom has given the Battle of Shiloh the mega attention that it deserves by writing a book with the storytelling appeal of fiction but solidly backed with fact.... This is a book that will stay with you for a very long time." The Washington Post

"Groom enhances his solid reputation as a writer of general audience military history with this narrative of the Civil War’s first major battle in the west." –Publisher's Weekly 

“This thrilling narrative account of Shiloh from the bestselling author of Forest Gump, is a vivid portrayal of key players and epic moments that changed America’s understanding of the war.”
Publishers Weekly Top 10: History and Military History

"Stirring Civil War history from the author of Forest Gump....The emphasis on the human element gives the book a power that sets it apart from most military histories." Kirkus [Starred Review]

"Including pertinent military detail about weapons and organization, Groom’s compositional acumen makes Shiloh move quickly, vividly, graphically, and perfectly for armchair buff and battlefield
visitor alike." Booklist 

“Groom’s gripping narrative is full of absorbing firsthand accounts from drummer boys, officers and enlisted men, nurses, and civilians…A provocatively rendered and persuasively argued study that demands a central place in Civil War historiography.” Library Journal (Starred Review)
 

About the Author

Winston Groom is the author of 15 previous books, including Vicksburg, 1863; Kearny’s March; Patriotic Fire; Shrouds of Glory; Forrest Gump; and Conversations with the Enemy (with Duncan Spencer), which was a Pulitzer Prize finalist. He lives with his wife and daughter in Point Clear, Alabama.

Product Details

  • File Size: 2603 KB
  • Print Length: 450 pages
  • Publisher: National Geographic (March 20, 2012)
  • Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B0058Z4NZA
  • Text-to-Speech: Enabled
  • X-Ray: Not Enabled
  • Lending: Not Enabled
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #83,269 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
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Customer Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
(46)
4.3 out of 5 stars
This book is recommended to general readers as well as Civil War buffs. C. M Mills  |  15 reviewers made a similar statement
It's a telling and well done story! Eugene A Jewett  |  12 reviewers made a similar statement
Good detail and description of battle strategies. Steve Isaacs  |  6 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
40 of 43 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars A day to remember April 1, 2012
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
an extremely well written account of what was the bloodiest battle in American history, up to that point. More Americans died in that battle than in all of America's previous wars combined, and more than had died in the Civil War up to that point. Unfortunately, Antietam eventually took that honor, and remains the single bloodiest day in US history.

The book is intended for a general audience, rather than for died in the wool Civil War buffs. So, there's a great deal of effort into providing context to the battle and a very nice job introducing the main actors, along with a bevy of folks who were just there including some quite famous later on like Ambrose Bierce, Henry Stanley and Lew Wallace. However, there's plenty for Civil War buffs to sink their teeth into as well, and it's just a great read, regardless of your background. As noted, this wasn't Grant's shining hour as he didn't really expect fierce Southern resistance and absolutely failed to prepare for it. Neither did Sherman for that matter who steadfastly refused to accept repeated incoming reports of heavy Southern forces converging on Shiloh. But there was no shortage of poor preparation for the attack and very poor planning for the attack itself by the Southern commander Albert Sidney Johnston, largely regarded in the South as their single greatest commander up to his death in this battle. However, Grant refused to panic and gave all his attention to a massive counterattack on the second day, which was entirely unanticipated and knocked the Southern forces off the field. The battle also introduced Grant and Sherman and forged one of the greatest military relationships in history.

The battle scenes are extremely powerful and well done and retain the ability to affect the reader viscerally.
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31 of 36 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars entertaining April 2, 2012
By heimae
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I feel like I am an advanced student regarding the Battle of Shiloh. I have read all the major books detailing the action (Reed, Sword, Daniel, McCullogh, Cunningham) as well as some lesser known (Timothy Smith's book detailing the creation of the park is spectacular). This book, while not particularly scholarly, is enjoyable reading none-the-less. This book is obviously designed to appeal to the public at-large, not to the buff/historian. It would be something that a person with an interest in history, who enjoys non fiction would take on a vacation to the beach. It would not make a good battlefield guide. Maps are lacking, but again, even though it was vanilla, I for some reason found myself enjoying this book.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Another Great Read from Mr. Groom June 22, 2012
By SDCC
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Books regarding the Civil War are typically written for the serious Civil War "buff"...then there is this book written for the "rest of us". Mr. Groom hits the correct balance of historical fact, battle detail and human interest--all without becoming mired down in tedium. A subtle element that adds to the book's appeal is Mr. Groom's use of language and word choice: He frequently chooses words that are uncommon today but were commonly used in the 1860s. The immediate experience of this 'good read' makes it a recommended choice--but its impact on my previously held opinions about the War and the people who were prominent in its playing out, make it notable. Mr. Groom's account altered my perception of this event in our American history--I truly felt the appalling toll & tragedy of our American Civil War. Yes, I loved this book...now reading his Vicksburg 1863.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Shiloh was the first cataclysmic battle of the American Civil War. There were numerous battles during the twelve months since Confederate forces fired on Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, but none compared to the horror and human carnage that occurred on the western bank of the Tennessee River on April 6th & 7th, 1862. More men fell as casualties during those two days of fighting at Shiloh than in all American wars combined up until that point.

Battles in the western theater are often over shadowed by those in its eastern theater, and Shiloh is no exception. When compared, the number of books written about Shiloh would equal but a small fraction to those written about Gettysburg. In the last four decades there have been a handful of scholarly books published about the Battle of Shiloh, by authors such as James Lee McDonough, Wiley Sword, Larry J. Daniel and O. Edward Cunningham (posthumously). Novelist and historian, Winston Groom, is the latest author to place his book upon that shelf.

Groom's book, "Shiloh 1862," is more a work of popular history than a detail oriented work of military history. It is not a minute by minute, blow by blow, military history. Rather Groom picked a few people to follow and their stories, combined, create a cohesive narrative which covers all parts of the battlefield from both the Union and Confederate sides. Into the mix Groom added diarists Elsie Duncan Hurt and Josie Underwood whose story arcs give a civilian impression of the battle from within and without.

Roughly, a little under the first half of Mr. Groom's narrative is prologue to the battle, covering the careers of Ulysses S. Grant, William T. Sherman, Albert S. Johnston and P. G. T. Beauregard up to the start of the battle.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars A nicely written introduction for the general reader
In his introduction, Groom makes clear that he is writing for the general reader rather than the Civil War buff. Read more
Published 6 days ago by Anson Cassel Mills
5.0 out of 5 stars I came to respect Ulysses S. Grant and understand his greatness.
I came to respect Ulysses S. Grant and understand his greatness. Lincoln must have been relieved finally to have a general who would fight.
Published 24 days ago by William R. Harvey
5.0 out of 5 stars Shiloh/Pittsburg Landing
If you have a passion for history in general and the American Civil War in particular you need to read this book. I found it gripping and brutal in the extreme. Read more
Published 29 days ago by G. W. Meador
4.0 out of 5 stars Well done...
In general I'm going to agree with the sentiments of the other reviewers on this. All the "hard cores", which I am as well, have dinged it a star. I get that. Read more
Published 1 month ago by rmorris58
4.0 out of 5 stars Civil War buffs will appreciate
Have to know some civil war history to follow and appreciate. Good detail and description of battle strategies. Sad couple of days.
Published 2 months ago by Steve Isaacs
4.0 out of 5 stars A must-add to your Civil War library
Accurate, well written, great stories woven in the fabric, useful when touring the Shiloh battlefield... Better than most stories of this battle.
Published 3 months ago by James E Wilson
4.0 out of 5 stars Very good account of Shiloh. would reccommend to others
good account of the war from both sides. Liked the writing style, easy to follow the different characters. Would consider other civil war books by this author.
Published 4 months ago by jcs
4.0 out of 5 stars Seeing the Elephant
Winston Groom is carving out a niche for himself as an author of history that is very readable and understandable. Read more
Published 4 months ago by J. J. Kwashnak
5.0 out of 5 stars Very readable
Great book. Mr.Groom is one of my favorite civil war history authors. His war of 1812 book on the battle of New Orleans was also quite enjoyable. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Glen H. Moshure
5.0 out of 5 stars Shiloh, more than the mind can comprehend
This book was recommended by a friend, well worth reading. My next visit to Shiloh will certainly be seen in a whole new perspective.
Published 4 months ago by Susan Gail Larkins
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