That Devil Forrest [Paperback]

John A. Wyeth (Author), Albert Castel (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1991

This book is a biography of Nathaniel Bedford Forrest, famously nicknamed Devil Forrest by Grant, considered by Sherman 'the most remarkable man our civil war produced on either side', and by all one of the most brilliant tacticians of the civil war. The accounts of this biography are primarily based on those who knew Forrest personally, and on contemporary military papers and records.

Product Details

• Paperback: 672 pages
• Publisher: Louisiana State University Press (September 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807115789
• ISBN-13: 978-0807115787
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.8 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #560,388 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Torn, February 9, 2004

By 

Weegee - See all my reviews

This review is from: That Devil Forrest (Paperback)

I'm torn on this review. I'm a new student to the ACW, but new enough to still know that NBF is one of the more intriquing characters of the war. I thought I did my research well and picked the right book to read about him by choosing "That Devil Forrest."

Well, I'm a little disappointed. Not because the book is bad, but more because it wasn't what I quite expected and mostly because I read it out of place (more later on this). The focus is 95% on the military side, which is not all bad. After all, that's what makes him the wizard of the saddle. But the problem is I found the account very dry at times. Much of it is rehashing Official Records and what others have said in their memoirs. I never got the feeling of being there, in the middle of the battle, with bullets zipping by my ear. The only way I can describe it is a very nuts and bolts reading of what troops went where and what troops did what, with a little bit of prose thrown in. Certain chapters are handled better than others, but from time to time I found myself drifting away from engagement to engagement because there wasn't much to make it unique.

Now, I realize not every one can write like Catton or Foote, but considering Wyeth did ride in Forrest's cavalry, I was hoping for a little more from that POV.

As far as the details of the engagements, they are extremely well done. Clearly you will walk away from this book understanding how many casualties he infliced, what companies and who their leaders were who rode on particular missions, etc. It is truly a micro history and if you are unfamiliar with the bigger battles that may have intiated NBF's specific participation (i.e. Shiloh, Murfressboro, etc.) you might get a little lost in the details.

I think I need to read more of a true biography first, and then follow up with "That Devil Forrest" to fill in the military details. That would make a very good one two punch.

So, in short, if you're fascinated by Forrest, but know little of him, I wouldn't start with this book. I think you'll get lost in the details. However, if you have a thorough understanding of the ACW and good back ground info on Forrest the man, I think you'll find this book a good compliment if you're after the details. Another high point is the footnotes and references are impecable. Although the author has a very clear biased opinion about his feelings toward Forrest, he does back up the numbers so to speak.

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!, August 14, 2003

By 

Michael E. Fitzgerald (Kingwood, Texas USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: That Devil Forrest (Paperback)

Nathan Bedford Forrest was one interesting character. A self made millionaire, most definitely an entrepreneur by today's standards, he was a maverick in every facet of his life. Shelby Foote called him the only genius, other than Abraham Lincoln, that the Civil War produced: High praise indeed.

It is easy, with the benefit of hindsight, to paint him with the brush of evil and dismiss him. Slave trader, first Grand Dragon of the Klu Klux Klan, the Ft. Pillow massacre, these are not the calling cards of sainthood. But if we try to view life as he saw it, if we can empathize with him enough to where we can react to his environment, during his times and with his skill set, then maybe we can come close to understanding Mr. Foot's comment.

The Southern High Command did not develop senior generals well. They anointed 8 at the start of hostilities. Without exception, those that weren't killed or injured were still in charge of things at the end of the war. Forrest was one of the few who earned the right to fill the ranks of those who fell.

Independent, devoted to the cause and goal driven he pounds his way to the top. One of his key adversaries, William Tecumseh Sherman, gives him his finest accolade with the words 'that Devil Forrest'. He is a tenacious fighter and good at his job. Judge for yourself, but no one on either side fought under greater hardship, with fewer resources, while amassing a string of truly pivotal victories than he did. No Lost Cause apologia here, Forrest is the genuine article, a true Confederate war hero. You may not wind up liking him but you will wind up respecting him.

26 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Plain facts yield thrilling tale, March 13, 2000

By 

Jeff Potter - See all my reviews

This review is from: That Devil Forrest (Paperback)

This is one of the first Civil War books I've read. It's hard to imagine I'll ever find a more thrilling one! Forrest is a hero beyond compare. It's amazing how Wyeth's dry, barebones delivery so clearly lets one read the amazing human spirit between the lines. These bare facts alone tell a tale more thrilling than any I've come across to date. Of course, sometimes our good doctor tips his hand with feeling and fervor about honor and good work, but he never seems biased, nor overloading our hero with praise. He relies heavily on clippings of official reports from both sides. I would say the Northern leadership appreciated him more than the Southern leaders. The "unlettered soldier" sure seems to have been screwed over by the old boy's network many times in response to his victories and saves. There's frustration, but also a sufficiency of comeuppance and a steady faith in virtue as its own reward. Forrest's occasion for nearly throttling Bragg was unforgettable: "If you ever again try to interfere with me or cross my path it will be at the peril of your life." Forrest was big, strong, scary and his men loved him. He raised multiple armies from nothing and equiped them by way of victory, only to have them taken away, re-officered and such. He was quick to temper and just as quick to apologize if need be. God's own democrat, as they say. A rare general who fought at the front every time. Killed 30 himself. An early innovator in guerilla war. Used flying batteries at the front. Used rumor and deception. He did much of his own reconnaisance behind the lines. When charged, he never took a charge but charged back, saying he believed a charging man was worth 3 standing. His famous saying "get there the firstest with the mostest" seems to be typed differently here. Likely his grammar cleaned up? It never says he was illiterate, but was he close to this? Anyway, I'd never heard of him until now. Perhaps being a Northerner had something to do with it? My loss, until now. Despite being shafted often, it seems like he was able to always keep his 'escort' of about 80 plus a few brigades thru most of the story as he builds and loses armies to his rivals. I sense more great drama involving those who stayed loyal to him throughout. If ever split from him awhile they seem to come back to him like a magnet. I'm hoping to find that side covered by Lytle's 'Critter Company.'