A Single Grand Victory: The First Campaign and Battle of Manassas (The American Crisis Series, Book 7) [Paperback]

Ethan S. Rafuse (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2002 | ISBN-10: 0842028765 | ISBN-13: 978-0842028769

More than 800 men lost their lives and 2,700 were wounded. Confederate General Thomas J. Jackson earned his legendary nickname "Stonewall" here as fellow Confederate General Barnard Bee, later fatally wounded in the battle, shouted, "Yonder stands Jackson like a stone wall!" Both the North and the South believed that a single victory in this first major battle would decide the war before it barely started. Yet the first battle of Manassas, or Bull Run, has not received nearly the same attention as the other major clashes of the Civil War.

A Single Grand Victory is a highly readable, concise, comprehensive narrative by Ethan S. Rafuse, professor of history at the United States Military Academy at West Point. Rafuse worked as a park ranger at Bull Run, where he gained great familiarity with the site and the literature on this battle. His new book incorporates insights offered in recent scholarship on Civil War military, political, and cultural history.

The author describes the factors that led President Abraham Lincoln to order an offensive against Confederates at Manassas Junction at a time when his most prominent military men advised against it. The war policies of both the Union and Confederate sides are explained. Rafuse offers descriptions and analysis of the individuals involved and the circumstances that influenced the manner in which the campaign was conducted. He covers the critical events and operational and tactical decisions that shaped the campaign's course and outcome.

In addition, A Single Grand Victory provides insights into American life in the nineteenth century by examining what motivated men to fight in 1861 and describing what led both North and South to expect the war would be a short one. Southerners had anticipated that one victory like Bull Run would persuade the North to abandon the effort to restore the Union by force. Northerners believed support for the Confederate rebellion was so shallow that one battle would end the war.

Civil War buffs will enjoy this

Editorial Reviews

Review

Ethan Rafuse has produced the book to read on First Manassas. (Marszalek, John F. )

Well written, judicious, and unfailingly interesting, A Single Grand Victory combines capable battle narrative with a firm grasp of the larger political context. Highly recommended. (Mark Grimsley )

The author has given us a sophisticated and exciting narrative of First Manassas, the campaign and battle that foretold a long and costly war for the Union and the Confederacy. Every page is alive with the tension and chaos of Americans—leaders, citizens, and soldiers—grappling with the political, social, and military challenges of warfare on a large scale, and of a shocking brutality, that few had ever imagined. A Single Grand Victory is a superb addition to the American Crisis series. (T. Michael Parrish )

This book is an excellent overview of the battle that opened the Civil War and a good introduction to the war itself. It will appeal to a variety of readers. (LTC Clayton R. Newell, USA-Ret. )

Ethan Rafuse'e A Single Grand Victory presents a notable account of the Civil War's first real battle. As part of the American Crisis Series, this work ably moves the reader through the social and political perceptions of impending battle, the decision-making of both military organizations, as well as the tangled conflict itself in a short, erudite volume. Throughout, Rafuse makes good use of well-established secondary and published primary sources. He is to be commended particularly for strong introductory chapters, attempting to place the unfolding of this particular battle within the volatile context of the day. Moreover, his discussion of battle is always clear and direct, providing rich detail without losing its narrative energy. It is a satisfying read, well-tailored to its mission of providing a succinct volume suitable for the enthusiast, student and novice alike. (Military History Of The West )

About the Author

Ethan S. Rafuse is assistant professor of history at the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Product Details

• Paperback: 226 pages
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers (April 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0842028765
• ISBN-13: 978-0842028769
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,158,664 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book, July 27, 2005

By 

Michael J. Sopher "Soph" (Green, Ohio) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Single Grand Victory: The First Campaign and Battle of Manassas (The American Crisis Series, Book 7) (Paperback)

First Manassas or First Bull Run was the first major land battle of the Civil War and therefore gave America its glimpse into what would come. Union commander Irvin McDowell, a soldier who was thrust into command without adequate preparation or planning, assembled an army that he knew was not ready. His overall handling of the northern troops at Bull Run can be considered as reasonable given the circumstances and the situation. Criticism of McDowell at Manassas should be taken for what its worth. McDowell did the best he could with what he had to work with.

A Single Grand Victory shows Abraham Lincoln's diligence to move against Manassas Junction while dealing with criticism from his military advisors. It also touches on the cultural context of the men who fought on these Virginia fields. Why men chose to fight and why they believed this battle would decide the fate of the war are answered by Rafuse.

Though books on First Manassas by John Hennessey and William C. Davis may be considered the standard for the campaign, Ethan Rafuse has added this compelling narrative with an incorporation of new military history to Civil War scholarship. Well written and researched, this short account of the struggle near Manassas Junction comes across as a fine read and shall put the battle not only in its historical perspective but also its political context. Rafuse certainly could be considered as one of the up and coming Civil War military historians of our time.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The First Battle of Bull Run., May 16, 2007

By 

Kevin M Quigg (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: A Single Grand Victory: The First Campaign and Battle of Manassas (The American Crisis Series, Book 7) (Paperback)

This is an OK read. It starts out strong detailing how each side thought one victory would put them as the winner of the ultimate conflict. Then it brings up the generals of each side. Of course, that meant McDowell, Bearuguard, Johnson, Jackson, and Sherman. This is good insightful information about how people really thought one battle would end the conflict.

The book goes average in the details of the battle. This was a difficult battle to follow, with first the Union winning and then ultimately the South prevailing in this battle. An average reader might stumble on all the details in the battle sequence.

I liked this book and thought it shed a different view point of the battle. This was not the battle where the South showed muscle, and the Union fled. This was a hard battle where more mistakes by the Union cost them the win. Rafuse does a good job analyzing the prelude to the battle.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good short history, August 3, 2005

By 

James W. Durney (Tampa Bay area) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: A Single Grand Victory: The First Campaign and Battle of Manassas (The American Crisis Series, Book 7) (Paperback)

I am becoming a fan of this author after reading only two of his books. My reasons are simple; he is an excellent writer and makes a good case for each of his points. Rafuse takes the time to tell the reader what he hopes to accomplish and attains his objectives. Along the way, I am informed and each point is supported with references. His books on the 61-62 war years highlight the growing realization that this is not going to be a short glorious adventure. In bringing this point home, he keeps the reader within the attitudes of the time and increases our understanding of the events as they happened. "A Single Grand Victory" was part of the mythology of the Civil War and weighed heavily on the generals of both sides. The title is both their hope and fear. This caused some actions that seem stupid but are logical within this context.

In this short but well written book, we get a good campaign overview with an operational battle study. Well balanced we understand the problems both commanders face and how close the battle came to being a Union victory. The myth of taking Washington, pursuit of a defeated army is well cover with very logical reasons why they did/could not happen. My only objection is that the book lacks enough maps to keep the reader fully informed. This is a common problem, many publishers seem to think military history books do not needs maps.