5 comments about Four Years With General Lee.

1. A history of the Civil War by Lee's aide Walter Herron Taylor.
   
   This is more a history than a memoir, and I get the impression that Taylor's other book has more personal reminiscence, though I haven't had a chance to see it yet. It clearly has served as a major source for generations of scholars; it describes most of the ANV's actions with a fair amount of detail and also discusses Lee's early campaign in West Virginia. The numerical strengths of the armies are tabulated in detail.
   
   Taylor's hero-worship of Lee is clear in his analyses of events and in the appended anniversary address, which doesn't make this a less useful source but should be taken into account.



2. As did Gilbert Moxley Sorrel (Longstreet), staff officer Walter Taylor offers his insights of the War of Southern Independence. Indeed, Taylor has rightful claim to his judgements, as his acquaitance with Lee offered him first-hand knowledge of events. However, I caution future readers that this is NOT a memoir or diary per se - Taylor rarely gives any unique slants to anything, and more often than not, seems occupied with setting the "numbers straight" - many, many, many tables and charts are provided giving the numbers available for this battle and that battle, etc...I suggest this book only for serious students of the war - and more particularly, those wanting "first-hand" data on "numbers." Of final interest, though, is Taylor's disdain for Hiram U. Grant (accurately recognizing Grant as a true butcher - merely throwing big numbers at an under-manned, under-supllied army) and the insertion of a speech given upon the anniversary of Genl Lee's birthday (albeit NOT written, or presented by Taylor himself)



3. Taylor's approach to covering the history of the Confederate struggle is encouraging to read. Though the title of this book tends to be a bit misleading. It should be called Four years of Confederate history. Taylor tends to describe battle movements and give calculations as to the manpower of divisions, brigades and regiments to a dragging sense. This books I recommend highly for those trying to get an accurate count of soldiers available for each battle, how many were casualties, after battle net amounts,etc.. Rarely are daily affairs of Lee covered. When I read this book I was disappointed to find out that it wasn't a book about General Lee and his daily livelyhood as I wanted to read about. Since Taylor was Lee's secretary I thought who better than to describe Lee's motives, attitudes, triumphs and defeats? Very rarely did Taylor ever mention Lee in this manner. Not enough to capture the man and tell his story. This book is a quick refresh of battles and movements throughout the war of the Army of Northern Virginia which hardly fits being called Four Years With General Lee. Credit is due to Taylor's ability to calculate total manpower and army positions throughout the four years though falls way short in covering Lee.



4. Wonderful book describing the massive work and devotion to duty that General Lee adhered to. Written by his A.A.G. A must read for southern patriots.



5. Taylor, as Lee's trusty staff member thoughout the war, is a great reference on Lee. Not all his words are to be taken at face value, however. For example, he had provided himself with a lovely suie with a piano and all he needed, far grander than Lee's abode. When Lee commented that Taylor had himself "finely fixed" there, Taylor responded " It will do." Lee was rightfully astounded, and left, although Taylor does not phrase it this way. Just a warning.

5 comments about Nathan Bedford Forrest: A Biography.

1. Nathan Bedford Forrest was one of the most interesting figures from the mid-19th Century. He was also one of the most controversial -- given his role as Confederate cavalryman, Fort Pillow, and the rise of the first KKK. Thus a n account of his life that shows no bias is an exceptional work, and that's what Jack Hurst brought to the table with his book.
   
   For the most part, Hurst delivers the goods on Forrest. The man's life, as slavetrader, soldier, and Klansman, is detailed, down to the semi-literate letters written in a rough hand as Forrest had. A little-too-detailed -- I think some of the battle scenes, as exciting as they can get, could've been described in less words. Still a good, balanced biography on Forrest that should satisfy anybody looking for such a book.



2. I gave it a 4 because the military campain analysis is not the best, but there are other, better books for this. This book gives insight into Forrest as the person, including his action after the war. It does a superb job of adressing the issues of the Klan and racism, and I gained a newfound respect for General Forrest.

   After reading this there is no doubt in my mind that this man is almost completely misunderstood. The details included and Hurst's own conclusions from these are logical and insightful, and bring out Forrest's true colors: As perhaps the first true civil rights leader and racial equality advocate.

   This book is must for anyone wishing for a full understanding of this incredible man.




3. He was a born military genius. A man born on the margins of survival in the rural South, who supported his family after his father's early death.
   He did what had to be done to save his Mother and siblings from abject
   poverty.

   He was a successful businessman in the pre war American South and yes he did sell slaves. You must remember that this was a perfectly legal
   business. PC whining about yesterday's values miss the point. He was
   a millionaire before the war, when a million dollars was probably worth
   50 million or more in today's dollars.

   As Alexis de Toqueville said, (I'm paraphrasing) the slaves of the South were treated better and all in all lived better than blacks in the North. They were raised from infancy through old age and many of their years were unproductive to the slave owner, but still they were supported.

   Back to the book.

   This book lays out the commitment of Forrest to the "cause", when he
   raises and arms a large group of fighting men at his own expense. He
   was the only man to rise from a private to a General in either army.

   The book shows Forrest at his heroic best when defeating vastly superior forces with double envelopment tactics, which he invented on the spot out of necessity. He also employed psychological tactics against the enemy and once he had them retreating he would run them down for days and nights without sleep, food or rest, until they had been
   killed or surrendered.

   He labored under the incompetent General Bragg, until he forces a re-assignment to another superior. His many talents were frequently wasted making up for Bragg's mistakes, but he attacks them with tremendous focus and determination.

   Forrest was a dominating personality and foe. Slow to anger, but once aroused his physical appearance would change and this alone
   was frequently enough to put down any personal challenge to his person.

   He personally killed something like 28 of the enemy and had 30 horses
   shot out from under him. He was the most hands on leader and fighter
   I've found in either army. He personally led most of the cavalry charges
   and once when finding himself all alone in the middle of the enemy
   cavalry, he swung his horse around and picked up a short Union soldier
   and held him across his back as a shield to prevent the enemy from
   shooting him. He dropped the short Union shield when safely away from
   enemy.

   Oh, and Fort Pillow, I'm not sure what really happened there, but incomparison to what Grant's understudy, Sherman did on his trip of total devastation through Georgia, it pales in comparison for these war crimes. West Point taught it's soldier's what was a war crime and Sherman knew what he was doing to civilian's and their property was a great war crime. A war crime rarely mentioned.

   Once the war was over he did work to re-integrate the Southern Soldier
   back into life in the Union. He could have been an unstoppable Guerilla
   leader has he chosen this path. But ultimately he recognized the need
   for peace to prevail.

   Hurst paints a vivid picture of a man who lived on the edge of extinction
   and put all of his energy into winning every confrontation, but was not
   used by Jefferson Davis for maximum effect because he wasn't a West Pointer. This was a big loss to the CSA.

   In the end, he died a man at peace with his God, but lived a life that
   is well worth examining and admiring. Nature produces few specimens
   like Forrest. When Lee was asked who was his best fighter in his Army,
   he said, "Forrest, a man I've never met".

   I found this book throughly entertaining and suggest that all who have
   an open mind will read and have a hard time putting down this book.
   There are also other excellent books on Forrest, an object of endless
   fascination.




4. The generals of the Civil War are remembered in contrasts. Sherman, Sheridan and Grant, were...well, common. They were hard drinking men, willing to sacrifice any number - thousands of men - believing the ends justified the means. They were not tall, handsome or dashing, so maybe that is why the Generals of the confederacy live so vividly in our imaginations. A lot of the Southerns were gentlemen, they were the epitome of the genteel South - or at least how we often see it in our imaginations, when we can divorce the spectre of Slavery from that vision. They were men in grey, who rode off to fight for what they believed, and no one more so than Nathan Bedford Forrest.

   Only Forrest does not fit that stereotypical Southern Gentleman. He was born in a log-cabin (as was Lincoln and Jefferson Davis); he was a failed businessman same as Grant. He was hard living, coarse like Sherman and Sheridan. And quite possibly one of the most complex figures to come out of the period. He did not fight in the Army of Northern Virginia under Lee, which keeps him out of the general attention of those learning about the Civil War. His first notable occurrence in the Civil War was the Fort Pillow Incident, where - still today we do not understand what happened - how black and white men supposedly surrendering were put to death by Forrest's command. Jefferson David never understood Forrest's guerrilla-like methods of fighting - but one could not dispute the results. He believed calvary men were not as JEB Stuart, dashing figures leading gallant charges, but were fighting men who used horses to get from point A to point B, "the firstest with the mostest" as he is often misquoted saying. As such, military tactics are still questioned and studied today. He did not enter the war as one of the 'nobility' but came in as a private to rise to the ranks of Lieutenant General. A superb tactician, a ferocious fighter unequalled - he killed 30 men and had his horse shot out from under him 29 times! After the war, he was one of the founders of the Ku Klux Klan, it's first Grand Wizard, only to turn around and repudiate it and tried disband it for his racial hatred.

   Forrest has been called 'that devil forrest', the 'wizard of the saddle', Historian Shelby Foote called him one of the two great geniuses of the period (Lincoln being the other) and by Lee `the most extraordinary man the Civil War produced'. He was a slaver trader and owner, yet upon his death in 1877, it is well noted that his funeral was attended by hundreds of ex-slaves.

   Jack Hurst gives a very balance view of this highly controversial figure and complex figure, showing his prowess, his faults and how he influences fighting of the period. Tries not to excuse or explain away Fort Pillow, but place it in proper perspective.

   His work is wonderful look at the man often ignored or overlooked by general history.




5. Nathan Bedford Forrest is in my opinion the most interesting soldier from the Civil War. A cavalryman who rose from private to lieutenant general, Forrest was a very dedicated soldier who fought with valor and honor, even though his education would be described as minimal at best. Jack Hurst's biography presents Forrest in a seemingly unbiased manner and focuses on all of his attributes. After reading the book I feel I know a lot more about the man, as well as hold a great deal more respect for him. However, Hurst's portrait of Forrest is extremely long winded and often repeats itself. Many pages of the book take a lot of time to read because the reader must re-read some of the sentences to understand what was said. All in all the book was very informative and should be read by die-hard fans of the Civil War generals, but the book could have been about 100 pages shorter and worded much better.

1 comments about The Life of Andrew Jackson/3 Volumes in 1.

1. Remini's text provides the reader with an excellent synopsis of the life and times of Old Hickory while condensing three volumes into one. While the author at times defends the General loyally, Remini attempts to provide details of both Andrew Jackson's many triumphs and pitfalls. for someone trying to become acquainted with this president or Jacksonian American, this is an excellent text. It provides narrative details of the facts and the context surrounding President Jackson, but it is also highly readable. All in all, I would recomend the text highly.

No comments about Battle-Fields of the South: From Bull Run to Fredericksburgh; With Sketches of Confederate Commanders, and Gossip of the Camps (Collector's Library of the Civil War).

1 comments about The Grand Old Man of Maine: Selected Letters of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, 1865-1914 (Civil War America).

1. While some in the Civil War community complain of "Chamberlain fatigue," it is difficult to gripe about this marvelous new collection of postwar correspondence from one of the most articulate officers on either side of the conflict.
   
   Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain survived the Civil War - including a horrible wound at Petersburg - to become one of Maine's most prominent citizens. His postwar career included four terms as governor of Maine, a stint as president of Bowdoin College, numerous business enterprises, and perhaps most importantly, many years as a writer and lecturer on his Civil War experiences.
   
   The correspondence included by editor Jeremiah Goulka covers nearly every aspect of Chamberlain's personal and professional life. Chamberlain's heartfelt letters to his family, especially those to his wife Fannie, reveal him to be a loving, thoughtful husband and father. His relationship with Fannie, stormy and difficult though it was for many years, survived numerous crises until Fannie's death in 1905.
   
   Chamberlain's Civil War experiences transformed him, and his separation from the army often left him feeling restless. In 1870, Chamberlain wrote to the King of Prussia and offered his services in Prussia's war with France. In 1898, Chamberlain contacted the Secretary of War to volunteer for the Spanish-American War. Even with all his postwar positions and projects, Chamberlain never quite filled the space in his soul left empty by the end of the Civil War.
   
   Critics of Chamberlain, in his lifetime and in our own time, claim that he inflated his role at Little Round Top in an attempt to horde the glory of that important engagement. At least one letter included in this volume refutes this criticism. In a January 1910 letter to Union veteran and author Oliver W. Norton, Chamberlain says of his brigade commander, Strong Vincent, "He was a noble man, and I have not known an abler commander in his grade. Nothing could exceed his skill and energy in taking the position on Little Round Top and the confidence he inspired in his subordinates. To this the result of the fight on the left at Round Top is very largely due [emphasis added]."
   
   The correspondence also clarifies an often incorrectly reported fact concerning the July 1913 fiftieth anniversary reunion at Gettysburg. Chamberlain, while he visited Gettysburg in May as a member of the planning commission, did not attend the July reunion. Chamberlain's doctor strongly urged him not to go due to his declining health, and he stayed behind in Maine.
   
   Rather than being castigated for his prolific eloquence, Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain deserves the timeless thanks of everyone who studies the Civil War. Jeremiah Goulka deserves thanks as well, for his skillful editing, and for giving us a deeper understanding of a genuine American hero.

2 comments about Yankee Dutchman: The Life of Franz Sigel.

1. German-Americans, during the Civil War, were proud of saying "I fights mit Sigel." Franz Sigel was a German officer, who fled to the United States after an unsuccessful insurrection, in which he played a role as an officer of a revolutionary force (in 1848). The purpose of the book is straightforward. In the author's words (page xix): "The purpose in this study is to understand Franz Sigel's life, to venture some explanations, and to provide a framework that would make sense to the reviewer.
   
   The first chapter focuses on Sigel's background, from his birth in Baden to his retreat after the unsuccessful military venture into Switzerland. The crushing of the republican forces was an event that colored Sigel's later life. He was a "champion of idealism, liberalism, and democracy" (page 25), but failed to achieve those goals in Germany. These factors are part of the context for his declaring for the Union at the outset of the Civil War, after he arrived in the United States in 1852.
   
   It is his performance in the Civil War that is central to people's views of Sigel. In early small-scale conflicts, he had some success in Missouri. Part of his importance was generating many German recruits flocking to the Union forces. His popularity among Germans and his ability to inspire new recruits into the Union Army helped him last as long as he did as a field commander. In his first major battles, Wilson's Creek, he convince the commanding general to try a Robert E. Lee-like division of forces to strike the larger Confederate Army from front and flank. At this stage of the war, this was essentially not very practical. The end result? A Union defeat and the death of General Nathaniel Lyon.
   
   I won't be tedious, going over battle after battles in which Sigel fought. Two illustrate: At Pea Ridge (Or Elkhorn Tavern), he began slowly, but actually had one of his few really good days of the war on the second and final day of the battle. It may be that the commanding general, Samuel Curtis, was the kind of take-charge commander he needed to work under (he was never very good in independent command, as later events would show). At Second Manassas, his generalship (he served as a corps commander) was uninspired, as was normal. He was finally shelved.
   
   However, historically, he was an interesting figure in that, despite his flaws as a commander, he did elevate "the status of Germans in an American society and by raising the national consciousness of Americans" (page 233). Overall, the book is pretty well written, although sometimes matters might be more clearly explicated. Nonetheless, to get a better understanding of an important Union general, this is a good volume.



2. A very enjoyable look at one of the greatest German Americans involved with the Civil War. Tracks his early days to his time as a commander in the Union Army. Engle provides the reader with a new insight into Sigel's life, with a fresh style that never disappoints. A book that is long over due and finally pays tribute to a forgotten figure of the Civil War. A great addition to a Civil War collection, especially if you are interested in Civil War biographies.

1 comments about The Family Letters of Thomas Jefferson.

1. Next to journal reading, a compilation of personal letters is a good way to really get to know someone. This book is a collection of letters exchanged between Thomas Jefferson and his children & grandchildren over a long period of time. The book starts when the kids are young and he is away on his government duties. We find that times really hasn't changed that much as Jefferson constantly nags them to write him letters. As the kids grow older, they become much more prolific writers. The book becomes most interesting whenever the grandchildren mature and begin to write him during his presidency. In these letters, he shares tips and philosophy on life, economics, and general principles- even though we know he may not have put all of these into practice himself.

   My rating reflects the disappointment that the editors failed to structure the book in a way that fills in the blanks for the reader. As an example, the death of his daughter only triggers a footnote to one of the letters since the event caused a lapse in letter writing between the family during his return visit to Monticello. To find out what had happened, I had to consult other material. This book could be greatly improved if a revised edition would include dialog that would explain the events mentioned in the letters.

   In spite of this, you will like this book if you are a follower of Thomas Jefferson. This shouldn't be your first book or even your second volume on Jefferson, but if you are well versed on the history of this important man- then you will find much enjoyment within the pages.

5 comments about Was Jefferson Davis Right?.

1. History has not been kind to Jefferson Davis. This is especially true now with the current wave of politically correct motivated attacks on him. The Kennedy brothers seek to rectify this by placing him under a mock trial charged with treason against the United States government. Incidentally, Davis repeatly asked for this trial which the U.S. government refused based on recommendation of their legal counsel.
   Most Davis critics know very little about him. An excellent biography introduces him to the reader. The Kennedy's present the questioning and motives of his federal accusers and offer a stalwart defense in his behalf. Decide for yourself if he was guilty or innocent of treason.
   Also, included in addendum are informative documents relative to the period and subject.
   When Jefferson Davis died in 1889 the South mourned. Thousands upon thousands of people of all races and walks of life attended his funeral and processions. The South still loved and respected their president.



2. This book provides a defense of the southern cause. Slavery was a sympton of the civil war, but not it's direct cause. Although the book's intention is to defend Jefferson Davis and the CSA, it does provide some very thought provoking information concerning Abraham Lincoln, the origins of today's Republican party and an authorative central government. It is a worthwhile read for anyone looking to find the second edge to the sword. There is much more to America's bloodiest war, and most of it are skeleton's buried deep in the closet of Abraham Lincoln and the heroism associated with his deeds.



3. I found this book interesting. I'm an amateur historian with great interest on the Civil War and the leaders from both sides. I originally bought this book looking for more information on the Biographay and beliefs of Jefferson Davis. It does provide some insight into who he was but REMEMBER WHEN READING the authors' state that it is a defense of Jefferson Davis and what he stood for. Therefore this book definately has a slant toward defending and sugar coating who Jefferson Davis was.

   The book is a defense of State Rights (and decentralized government) as opposed to a strong centralized government. Wether you support one idea or the other this book is definately worth reading to get a different point of view.

   For historical reading on Jefferson Davis read his own writings and speeches from his life and service to the United States and then the Confederate States.




4. This book is: 1. A book that opens up bringing Jeff Davis to life telling us of his lifes joys and sorrows. His adventures and his sufferings. His victories and his defeats. 2. It vindicates Davis's character and faith shrugging off the lies told about him as well as John Edsmoe vindicates the Founding Fathers in "Christianity and the Constitution: The Faith of our Founding Fathers" 3. It provides some solid Constitutional points Davis and his countrymen made about states rights and secession. Davis was definatly NOT a traitor. 4. It shows the reader that the issue of slavery was not as cut and dry as television and movies would have us believe. Not everyone who owned slaves was a cruel barbaric beast. And just because the Abolitionists were called abolitionists does not mean they were interested in the well being of black people. In fact they, like the Environmentalists and Anti-Smoking crowd today, were just using the issue as a vehicle to gain control wealth and power. A great book



5. "Some of the statements seem particularly misguided, for example, the assertion the the Bill or Rights applies only to Federal actions, not state actions!" (I know what you are thinking, this is not my typo, it belongs to Mr. Connelly.) Mr. Connelly, I am writing to inform you "the the Bill or Rights" did originally apply to Federal actions only. It was not until the previous century and the latter part of the one before it did this change. The blame for this can be placed on an activist U.S. Supreme Court of the time.

   Now that this is out of the way, I can say that this is an excellent book for anyone who is Pro-South. I myself found it very pleasing to read and I feel that others will to. It is full of interesting facts that you just can not find in other books. The Kennedy brothers have, as they have done before, written a great book.

2 comments about General Wadsworth: The Life And Wars Of Brevet General James S. Wadsworth.

1. This excellent biography of James S. Wadsworth by Wayne Mahood is a striking example of how a detailed historical biography does not have to be dry and weighty. The book opens up with a marvelously dramatic retelling of the Wilderness battle, at which Wadsworth was mortally wounded while commanding the 4th Division of the V Corps, dying two days later.
   
   Wadsworth was born in New York in 1807. He studied for the law in Massachusetts, but spent most of his time managing his large property holdings in New York. He attended the Peace Conference in Washington in February 1861, and then served as a volunteer at First Manassas under Irvin McDowell. Promoted to Brigadier General, he became Military Governor of Washington for six months in 1862. In the fall of that year he ran unsuccessfully for governor of New York. Returning to the army, he saw action at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, occupying a portion of Culp's Hill throughout the Second and Third days of the latter battle. At the Wilderness in May 1864, he was ordered to attack Hill's exposed left through heavy underbrush, where he received his mortal wound.
   
   Mahood's account of Wadsworth's life and career is both scholarly and well written. Included are excellent battlefield maps and many illustrations. His notes are thorough. This book is a major contribution to Civil War biography/history and should be enjoyed by those interested in that subject.



2. General Wadsworth: The Life And Times Of Brevet Major General James S. Wadsworth is an in-depth biography by American Civil War expert Wayne Mahood of New York politician, anti-slavery statesman, and Union General James S. Wadsworth. This was a man who despite his devotion to his wife and six children, was called to serve his country in the Civil War. Wadsworth paid for patriotism with his life and fell mortally wounded on the field of battle, eventually perishing in a Confederate field hospital. A dramatic, extensively detailed and captivating summary of a proud, courageous, and determined life well lived, General Wadsworth is an outstanding work and a welcome contribution to the growing library of Civil War Studies biographies, autobiographies and memoirs.

1 comments about Stonewall Jackson And The American Civil War.

1. I have been a fan of the American Civil War for over five years, and I have read many books on the subject and especially on Stonewall Jackson. I have never found a book more thorough about both subjects in my life. The author dives into several contravercies like: Why did the Civil War started, Did Stonewall fall asleep at the Seven day Battle? He also doesn't just stick to Stonewall, he also talks about other important figures in the Civil War. So if you are interested, kinda like, or a fanatic about Civil War and Stonewall Jackson like I am, I would recammend this book to every one!