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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
These eye-opening essays by five noted Civil War historians emphasize the often overlooked fact that Union and Confederate generals had something to do with the outcome of the 1861-1865 war. James McPherson ( Battle Cry of Freedom ) reviews the commonly cited explanations for the Confederate defeat and, allowing that political and economic factors played a significant role, argues that it was the battlefield that "gave birth to victory." Archer Jones ( How the North Won ) reconstructs the strategies of both sides, showing the intimate connection between strategy and politics, and concludes that neither side got the better of the other. Gary Gallagher ( Struggle for the Shenandoah ) assesses the war's leading generals and shows that Grant, Sherman and Lee shaped military events to a far greater degree than any of their colleagues. Reid Mitchell ( Civil War Soldiers ) discusses the potential for guerrilla warfare in the South and maintains that the Union's advantage in numbers was enhanced by the dedication and perseverance of Federal troops. Joseph Glatthaar ( Forged in Battle ) reveals the devastating effect of runaways and disruptive slaves on the Confederacy and demontrates how African American soldiers proved indispensable to the Union effort. Solid scholarship combined with nonacademic prose make this collection essential reading for serious students of the War between the States.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Kirkus Reviews
In this slender but sensibly argued group of essays edited by Boritt (Civil War Studies/Gettysburg College), five outstanding Civil War scholars offer their views of what led to Robert E. Lee's appointment with Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox. The authors emphasize military operations as opposed to industrial, demographic, psychological, or other factors--almost counterrevisionism, given recent trends in Civil War scholarship. In the linchpin essay, Battle Cry of Freedom author James M. McPherson provides a roundup of some of these chic theories (e.g., that states' rights doomed a coordinated Confederate war effort) before dispatching them with his usual cool, crisp authority. The other essays aim to counteract what they see as faulty logic that makes Union battlefield success the result rather than the cause of Confederate failure. Taking a more or less traditional view of the key generals, Gary W. Gallagher sees Grant and Sherman as the indispensable architects of Union victory, while defending Lee's much-criticized concentration on the eastern theater as the best strategic course for the rebels. Reid Mitchell contrasts the increasing cohesion of the Union rank-and-file with Johnny Reb's fears for the welfare of his family. Without exaggerating their importance, Joseph Glatthaar gives one of the most succinct yet magisterial explanations to date of how blacks tipped the balance to the Union as the two armies teetered on the brink of exhaustion. Even the least impressive essay--Archer Jones's on strategy- -skillfully discusses tactics like raids and concentration of forces--although, by finding that neither side really got the better of the other, it begs the question of why the South lost. A stimulating, authoritative, and persuasive contribution to Civil War historiography. -- Copyright ©1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
See all Editorial Reviews
These eye-opening essays by five noted Civil War historians emphasize the often overlooked fact that Union and Confederate generals had something to do with the outcome of the 1861-1865 war. James McPherson ( Battle Cry of Freedom ) reviews the commonly cited explanations for the Confederate defeat and, allowing that political and economic factors played a significant role, argues that it was the battlefield that "gave birth to victory." Archer Jones ( How the North Won ) reconstructs the strategies of both sides, showing the intimate connection between strategy and politics, and concludes that neither side got the better of the other. Gary Gallagher ( Struggle for the Shenandoah ) assesses the war's leading generals and shows that Grant, Sherman and Lee shaped military events to a far greater degree than any of their colleagues. Reid Mitchell ( Civil War Soldiers ) discusses the potential for guerrilla warfare in the South and maintains that the Union's advantage in numbers was enhanced by the dedication and perseverance of Federal troops. Joseph Glatthaar ( Forged in Battle ) reveals the devastating effect of runaways and disruptive slaves on the Confederacy and demontrates how African American soldiers proved indispensable to the Union effort. Solid scholarship combined with nonacademic prose make this collection essential reading for serious students of the War between the States.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Kirkus Reviews
In this slender but sensibly argued group of essays edited by Boritt (Civil War Studies/Gettysburg College), five outstanding Civil War scholars offer their views of what led to Robert E. Lee's appointment with Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox. The authors emphasize military operations as opposed to industrial, demographic, psychological, or other factors--almost counterrevisionism, given recent trends in Civil War scholarship. In the linchpin essay, Battle Cry of Freedom author James M. McPherson provides a roundup of some of these chic theories (e.g., that states' rights doomed a coordinated Confederate war effort) before dispatching them with his usual cool, crisp authority. The other essays aim to counteract what they see as faulty logic that makes Union battlefield success the result rather than the cause of Confederate failure. Taking a more or less traditional view of the key generals, Gary W. Gallagher sees Grant and Sherman as the indispensable architects of Union victory, while defending Lee's much-criticized concentration on the eastern theater as the best strategic course for the rebels. Reid Mitchell contrasts the increasing cohesion of the Union rank-and-file with Johnny Reb's fears for the welfare of his family. Without exaggerating their importance, Joseph Glatthaar gives one of the most succinct yet magisterial explanations to date of how blacks tipped the balance to the Union as the two armies teetered on the brink of exhaustion. Even the least impressive essay--Archer Jones's on strategy- -skillfully discusses tactics like raids and concentration of forces--although, by finding that neither side really got the better of the other, it begs the question of why the South lost. A stimulating, authoritative, and persuasive contribution to Civil War historiography. -- Copyright ©1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
See all Editorial Reviews
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