5 comments about Brutal Virtue: The Myth and Reality of Banastre Tarleton.

1. You cannot understand the Revolutionary War without an understanding of the South and to comprehend the South is to know something of Tarlton. This is a well-researched, well-written effort with very detailed footnotes. The author attempts to tread that fine line of admitting Tarlton believed in hard war but somehow asks us to believe i.e. "he was not that bad." He hated the Whig, absorbed the bitterness of northern tories whom he led, and fought without any compassion even in those clear circumstances where it would have been more effective. What I now understand better is how Tarlton's harshness may have snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. Morgan's triumph at Cowpens is all the more remarkable.
   Tarlton was a nasty little man who was very lucky he did not fall into patriot hands. I recommend the book. The obvious comparisons to Sherman and Grant are dead on!! The author's bias is too transparent to be much of an encumberance.



2. Atrocities were committed by both sides during the revolutionary war. This is not in doubt, and historian's tend to forget the American ones. Tarleton's record HAS been misinterpreted over the centuries, but I felt that the author spent too much time trying to exonerate his idol from obvious charachter flaws. The bottom line is that the British Legion used very harsh tactics during the war and the commander WAS responsible for his men, whether he was there or not. I found myself thinking of the excuses used at Nuremberg in 1945-46. The author did dispell many of the myths but the idol worship needed to be toned down a bit. To this reader another opportunity to put the real Tarleton in perspective was lost.



3. I've always been fascinated by Banastre Tarleton, the man upon whom "Colonel Tavington" in the movie "The Patriot" was based. This book is a well-written biography.



4. Not only a fabulous study on the life and career of the most demonized character in the Revolutionary War, but a fascinating look into the reasons why myths are created, and the perseverance of myth and romanticizing American History, especially Revolutionary War History in the U.S.
   An indispensable, extremely well-written and exhaustively researched book.
   True that there are few, if any, real saints or demons in history, but Mr. Scotti blows away the lingering perception of "devil incarnate" of Ban Tarleton. Highly, highly recommended to anyone interested in this era and Tarleton. Bravo.



5. Essential reading for any serious student of the American Revolution. This book incorporates an enormous amount of research about one of the Revolutions most interesting characters. It is interesting to see Scotti question and refute previous works as well as deconstruct Tarleton's psyche and military actions. Most books on history seem to just hash out the facts but Scotti offers serious analysis and theories on Tarleton and his campaigns. The author, in my opinion, is the slightest bit apologetic to Tarleton, but does a good job refuting bias and errors in previous works. The book is well written in a clear, concise manner, easy for the Revolutionary War novice and serious student alike to understand. I highly recommend this book.

5 comments about Battling for Saipan.

1. Like your Reader from Texas, I am not a marine but I have read many books about the war in the Pacific and the Smith vs. Smith incident.

   HM Smith was not one of the great captains of WWII. As Professor Harry Gailey points out in "Howlin' Mad Versus the Army", Saipan was the first and only time HM Smith ever had hands on responsibility for troops in battle. He did not conduct a very brilliant campaign. He constantly underestimated the strength of Japanese resistance on the island, made his plans based on his underestimates, and then blamed the Army Division and its Commander, MG Ralph Smith, when his plans did not work.

   The 27th Infantry Division was the most unfairly maligned unit of WWII, Its commander, MG Ralph Smith was the most unfairly vilified leader of WWII. This happened because the Marine Corps and its advocates needed to create and maintain the legend that HM Smith was a great captain, needed to explain away HM Smith's less than brilliant performance on Saipan.

   This book, while not a thoroughly researched as Edmund Smith's 27th ID's History or Professor Gailey's "Howlin' Mad Versus the Army", it is an honest attempt to tell the correct history, that the 27th ID fought hard and fought well on Saipan.




2. I've often wondered over the years how justifiable Howlin' Mad Smith's relief of Ralph Smith was during the battle for Saipan. I've suspected that there was more to the issue than meets the eye and that Holland Smith may have had more of a point to prove than cause for action. O'Brien's book points solidly in that direction although his perspective has to be skewed toward the 27th and I believe that he wrote the book starting from that viewpoint. However the most moving and impressive part of this account for me was the details of the heroism of Sgt. Thomas A. Baker. I first encountered his story in an obscure internet tribute one Veteran's Day a few years back. Reading his citation I wondered what kind of man could be capable of such feats. O'Brien's history contains more details of this remarkable soldier than I've found elsewhere, but still left me yearning to find out more about him. Who knows, maybe someday I'll write his definitive history!



3. I found Francis O'Brien's work on the 27th Division to be moving account of an army unit that served its country well at the expense of criticism. His account of the 1st battalion, 105th Infantry Regiment, was especially touching, and, I feel, deserves mention along with other memorable units of WWII.

   However, I do agree that O'Brien's work does lack much objectiveness at the expense of defending the reputation of the 27th Division. This was essentially the purpose of his book, and there are certainly more objective accounts of the 27th to be found elsewhere, some of whom O'Brien refers to in his book.

   Nonetheless, I found this book to be an enjoyable read and quite a service to those who fought and died with the "New York Division" in WWII.

   As O'Brien states at the end of his preface: "I trust I have shown that [the families'] fathers, sons, uncles, and brothers served their country honrably and well in WWII."




4. This book was interesting but it had several flaws. It was a basically a defense of the army's 27th Infantry Division during the Saipan invasion during the Pacific war. It was at Saipan where the 27th did not measure up to marine units.

   The author claims to be objective but I find that difficult to believe. He is writing about his own Uncle, William O'Brien. He was also writing about the 27th Infantry Division, a national guard unit which consisted of men from his own home town and area. I detected a bias in defense of the 27th and a bias against Marine General "Howlin Mad" Smith who relieved 27th Division commander General Ralph Smith.

   The author claims that this was the one and only battle where army troops fought under the command of the a marine general. This was untrue. Army units fought successfully under marine General Vandergrift at Guadalcanal in 1942, under marine General Geiger at Peleliu in 1944, and briefly under Geiger again at Okinawa in 1945. The author blames marine command for many of the 27th's problems but has a shaky arguement.

   The author also defend the 27th divison as "one of the best trained units in the Pacific". I have read many other books and many other authors do NOT share this opinion of the 27th. Many other authors have a much lower opinion of the 27th. In fact, at Okinawa in 1945, an army general withdrew the 27th from the main battle and sent it to the rear for "garrison duty". Let's be realistic and honest. Not all members of the armed forces in WW II were "the elite". Units differed in quality. Some units were excellent and some were of lesser quality.

   Note: I am NOT a marine but just someone who has read many books on this subject.




5. Mr. O'Brien gives a vivid detail of the 105ths movements from the landing on the beaches of Saipan to the final evacuation from the Gyokusai attach in Tanapag. He follows his uncle Lt. Col. William J. O'Brien from battle to battle all the time merging stories of the hundreds of other men who fought along side him. Giving an almost play by play of scirmishes from survivors stories. I couldn't put it down. I will never Hash through the jungles here the same way again! Infact, I went to the memorial and looked for his name of the thousands that are there and I found it. As you look at it you face to about the appoximate location of Tagapag village.

5 comments about His Name Was Donn: My Brother's Letters from Vietnam.

1. Too often books about war deal more with the officers and civilian leaders, the ones who direct the military actions without looking at those most involved. The young men and women on the front lines who must live with life and death and whose minds are concentrated both on the action at hand and their loved ones back home. It is most likely the latter that keeps them going in the face of enemy fire, the memories of happier days in their home towns or cities.
   
   His Name Was Donn: My Brother's Letters from Vietnam is a particularly moving book, a collection of letters written by Donn Sweet during his service in Vietnam up to his tragic death. An honored soldier, his letters are a combination of describing what is taking place over there and his memories of home. These letters were put together by his younger sister, Evelyn Sweet-Hurd whose grief over his death kept her from re-reading them for decades. Now this book has helped bring her closure and is a moving tribute to a brave young man with a sense of humor who truly loved his country. It gives us an insight into the heart and soul of a true American hero and patriot.
   
   The reader also learns a great deal about the Sweet family and Evelyn's own thoughts and feelings then and now. It is the sort of book every reader can relate to whether Donn is writing about comrades dying or his memories of home. Home is very important and Donn takes the time to write thankyous for gifts and letters even when under enemy fire. There is a strong connection between Donn's two worlds and his relationship with his younger sister Evelyn who idolized him. The book is a testimony to the importance of family in the growth and maturity for young people.
   
   Ms. Sweet-Hurd writes in a style that is both vivid and concise. Once finished this is a book you will want to re-read as you will feel connected with the family. This would make an excellent film and we want to see more works by this author.



2. "His Name Was Donn" is powerful and poignant, a book that will stay in your head and your heart long after you have raced to finish it--even though you know the tragic conclusion from the first page. What an amazing accomplishment of Donn's sister to open the box and share his letters with all of us! Evelyn Sweet-Hurd's technique of alternating letters and commentary keeps us involved and challenges us to think about the individuals who are sent to war on our behalf.



3. 
   A young soldier dies heroically in battle. His maimed body is returned to his grieving family. Medals and citations are awarded posthumously.
   
   At once the circumstances of his death eclipse all other aspects of his life. He becomes forever a fallen soldier. The military citations extol the "ultimate sacrifice." Nowhere in the formal wording is there mention of "the life that might have been."
   
   But the two are one and the same.
   
   This is the message of Evelyn Sweet-Hurd's remembrance of her brother, Lieutenant Donn Sweet, a native of Roanoke VA, who was killed in Vietnam in 1968 at age 26.
   
   In, "His Name Was Donn," Sweet-Hurd attempts to rescue the memory of her brother. From a box of letters shuffled from attic to attic over forty years, she has fashioned a soldier's journal that speaks to our day as poignantly as if written from Iraq yesterday.
   
   From the first line of Letter #1 ("It's a warm Saturday afternoon") to the final signoff two days before his death ("Well, it's beginning to rain"), Donn Sweet reports on his Vietnam experience very much as an observer, more war correspondent than soldier at times, fascinated with events, people, places and how the weather was. Absent, always, is any acknowledgment of personal danger.
   
   To his mother, he writes: "Yesterday we left Dong Ha in a driving rainstorm and
   took a boat up the river to the coast and a Marine camp called Qua Viet. The day before, Qua Viet had been shelled and a dentist and three others were killed."
   
   We are reminded of the young Martin Sheen journeying up the river in Apocalypse
   Now, without, in Donn Sweet's telling, the sense of foreboding.
   
   Forty years later, his sister wonders if her beloved big brother had indeed
   taken a first step into the "Heart of Darkness." It bothers her when he writes,
   "I took pictures of one of the dead VC. He was 28 and was from Gio Linh -- or so
   his papers said."
   
   The reader has difficulty sharing the author's concern. Donn Sweet seems always to have a sure hold on reality. His lifeline is a mischievous sense of humor and a relentless focus on his civilian life to come.
   
   Three days after describing a fire fight in which "We lost nine men...", he pens
   an appreciation of a package newly-received from an aunt, "[There was] a black
   oblong soft smelly object. At first I thought it was a squashed eclair; the
   Marine captain living with me thought it was a piece of liver. You know what it
   was? A BANANA! What would make someone think a banana would make it to Vietnam?
   ... I will write a thank-you note."
   
   After noting that the officer who relieved him in his last command has been killed, he instructs his mother: "I want you to please do the following and write me on what you do and the results. Please have the valves on my Porsche set for the proper setting and have my oil changed correctly. I want the filter screen cleaned. The manual explains how it should be done. I don't want them to simply drain the oil out the plug and put some new oil in. Check it out and have it done right... and let me know what the story is."
   
   He mentions running into a mortar ambush, "...we had one KIA (killed in action)
   and one WIA (wounded in action"...", then inquires about law schools: "Ask Ernie
   [a lawyer friend] what he thinks about McGeorge College of Law and U. of Arizona,
   OK?"
   
   John Lennon famously said, "Life is what happens to you while you're making other plans." Donn Sweet was killed in Vietnam by a mortar shell. His Silver Star citation states that he had confronted and killed a North Vietnamese sniper in order to reach a hilltop from which he could direct artillery fire. There is nothing in the citation of his having other plans.
   
   In her commentary, juxtaposed among the letters, Sweet-Hurd does not disguise
   her anti-war sentiments. But they come across as neither insistent nor intrusive. They are a crying out for comprehension, and they are a needed perspective, a simple wondering at what Donn himself might have made of the Vietnam outcome and of his own "ultimate sacrifice."
   
   In the book's "Post-Mortem", the author makes her point with quiet subtlety.
   Without comment, she lists the official telegrams and citations received from
   the Army. They commemorate a hero, the military laying claim to her brother's memory. To the reader, who has come to know Donn Sweet through his own words, his kid sister's appeal proves successful on at least one score: the citations seem to be placed where they properly belong -- in the appendix.



4. My review starts with a warning to readers. Once you pick up the book, you will find it hard to put down. Long after you do read it, you will find yourself still connected to the young lieutenant and his world.
   
   The book is a combination of letters from Donn, who is stationed in Vietnam,to his mother and the reflections of his sister as she reads the letters again thirty years later. Like war itself, the book contains jarring juxtapositions. The abstract and the specific, the important and the trivial, the terrifying and the hilarious are side by side. Donn worried about the beloved car he had warily left in the care of his family, joked about his mother's weight, and relayed the brutality and dangers of war in a careful and powerful way.
   
   Another dimension of the book is his sister's growing awareness of her brother and how he adapted to war. Her teenage vision of him was incomplete, and the matured vision she reveals as she reads his letters again is moving and truthful.
   
   I know many will read the book and say they learned a lot about the realities of war, and you will, but the book is about more than war. The book is about love and the strong bonds of family.



5. _His Name Was Donn_ gives us a rare look into the daily life of a soldier in Vietnam, conveyed through his letters home in 1968, just before he was killed in combat there. Along with the collection of letters, Sweet-Hurd offers her commentary from the perspective of more than thirty years of grief and avoidance. The book is timely and well-done; it offers insight into the multiple forms of war casualties in a voice that is wry and vulnerable. Through the dual voices of Sweet-Hurd and her brother, Lt. Sweet, we observe a progression along different trajectories. Having lost her brother violently, Sweet-Hurd coped by mythologizing his memory. As she revisits the letters and his life in them, she comes to a new understanding of the man whom she idolized, recognizing both his innocence and his ability to enjoy war.
   This is a book of contrasts, sharply and poignantly drawn. To read it is to enter the daily life of a combat soldier on the ground in Vietnam, coping with rain, mud, death, fear, drudgery, and the joy of letters from home. We see him writing his letter on a stump in the rain, and we see his sister opening those letters one by one in her home in Atlanta, each one of them bringing her closer to the inevitable confrontation with ultimate loss, again. This is a book that we need to read today.

5 comments about Right or Wrong, God Judge Me: THE WRITINGS OF JOHN WILKES BOOTH.

1. this book is a decent account of John Wilkes Booth, but there is nothing that has not been already examined in countless other books pertaining to this topic. The book does not give as much detail about booth as one would expect. If you really want a great book about John Wilkes Booth, Lincoln's assaination, and the several weeks that followed, i strongly recommend "American Brutus" by Michael W. Kauffman, this was one of the best books ive ever read on the subject.



2. "Right or Wrong, God Judge Me" is a fascinating collection of all the known existing hand-written documents left by John Wilkes Booth. Most of his written materials were destroyed by family, friends and acquaintances in the aftermath of Lincoln's assassination for fear that the holders of the documents may be accused of being an accessory to the crime. What is printed here (many for the first time) are those documents left by JWB that managed to be preserved. These materials include letters written to a friend William O'Laughlin (brother of Michael O'Laughlin who was a co-conspirator) when JWB was a teen-ager, poems written in autograph books of fellow actors, information on his theatre work and financial investments written to his business partners, love letters to Isabel Sumner, and a lengthy pro-Union speech intentionally preserved by brother Edwin written only a few days after South Carolina seceded from the Union. In the latter as well as the famous "To Whom It May Concern" letter also published here, JWB explains his sympathy with the southern cause, the influence of watching abolitionist John Brown hanged, his feelings towards his country, his personal views on slavery, etc. Two pocket diary entries written while he was a fugitive (surprised at the negative reaction his deed received from the public) as well as a sarcastic letter written to a doctor who would not help him as he was fleeing authorities on an injured leg are the last entries in this book.
   
   What makes this book even more fascinating than reading the words of one of the most notorious men in American history, is the incredible research completed by the editors. Every document, including letters of only a couple sentences, are followed by many footnotes detailing the people, places, and events in JWB's life pertaining to the document. This information includes theatre reviews, most in praise of Booth's performances, especially his sword fighting. The dangers and hardships actors endured traveling to shows in those days is explained. The editors also include historical background and context to the documents. Even the letters on his theatre schedule and investments were interesting because of the additional information the editors provided. I felt as though I was following JWB's life through these letters and footnotes. I've come away from this book with a much better understanding of what motivated JWB to commit his crime. Anyone interested in Booth and the Lincoln assassination needs to read this book. The 171-page book includes a section of illustrations, including photos of three of the handwritten documents.



3. The title is a promising one, if you're interested in JWB and the Lincoln assassination; and the compilation is thorough, if what you want is to have the complete known products surviving from JWB. The problem is that 90% of what does survive (thus 90% of this book) is really insignificant stuff that sheds very little light on the man's ideas, opinions, or thoughts. It's mostly brief, impersonal, non-revealing notes written to confirm theatrical engagements, &c., &c. Much of it is repetitive variations on a few business-oriented themes. Too bad this is al that survives from him!



4. This is an interesting book regarding the state of mind of the wealthy and famous actor of the time. The book carefully places his letters chronologically and also backs them by giving historic references and explanations of the events that surrounded the man. How his "flowery-like" letters could ever hint at a man struggling with the problems of the country isn't told in them. It's ironic from such writing that this man who had fame, fortune and social approval also had a deep and ever growing anger against northern politics. His inner anger seemed depressed awaiting a chance to explode. This book easily portrays Booth as a caring man yet also one who sympathized with the Southern cause. It briskly explains his premeditated thoughts of assassinating Lincoln and has little information regarding putting his thoughts into motion. Yes, this book is about his letters and offers a quick coverage of the events surrounding Booth before and after the killing of Lincoln. For those looking for a complete biography this book isn't the one. For those looking for added insight who may have already read about Booth before, this is a great bonus of information.



5. In my opinion "Right or Wrong,God Judge Me" is a blessing;mostly for the masses growing up believing only one side to a twisting and tragic tale.John Wilkes Booth is humanized,he is presented as a multi dimensional conflicted individual,far from the "mad man" we were all taught to despise for his repulsive crime against the US government and Lincoln. The evil I once thought he posessed is not the main struggle of his personality;his struggle seems to more or less be over his love and jealousy of brother Edwin and his fears of being loved and admired.His heart is tormented by the carnage of the Civil War,which in turn causes him to side with just about anyone who hates Lincoln. As I found by reading the book,he was not as mad as I once believed,but seemed more a sad and lonely man admired mostly for his looks yet he seemed to be upset about the sexual objectivity given to his person,hence he burned fan mail sent to him by rather amourous ladies,I feel from reading this book that he needed more than theatre and adoration from screaming females;he wanted to be taken seriously and make a difference in the world.Unfortunately he chose a rather brutal means of attaining this goal. I do think that his appearance can somewhat color judgement.Do we feel more sorry for him because he was extremely handsome? I wonder if he would have been homely if he would have gotten as much sympathy? Maybe not,but still I understand his mentality better and why he turned out the way he did.

1 comments about DAILY TELEGRAPH BOOK OF MILITARY OBITUARIES (Daily Telegraph Obituaries).

1. Having previously spent 27 years serving in the British Army, I was drawn to the entries in this book of, firstly, those who I had known - or even briefly met, during my time in uniform and, secondly, to those of whom I had heard. Finally, the remainder seemed to have earned, between them, every distinction and award it was possible to have earned during lifetimes which witnessed great upheaval throughout Europe and the rest of the world.
   
   An example from my first selection of names is that of Field Marshall Carver - who I well remember meeting on a visit to Northern Ireland in 1974 when he was Chief of the Defence Staff. We were all very impressed by that man. From my second list, the redoubtable Lt Colonel Colin Mitchell of the Argyll's was a figure who engendered much respect and for whom there was a great outpouring of public displeasure when he failed to receive a much-deserved DSO after his very public tour of Aden in 1967 - for which he earned the nickname "Mad Mitch." Elsewhere, there are those who fought and served including recipients of both the Victoria and George Crosses.
   
   This is a fascinating book expertly put together by David Twiston Davies who, for many years was Letters Editor of the Daily Telegraph prior to his being appointed to Obituaries. How refreshing to see him use the word "Military" in the title of this book - as it should be used, in connection with the army and not in connection with armed forces in general. For those who do not understand that distinction, this book contains 100 soldier's obituaries carefully selected to give the reader a cross-section of both ranks and experiences.
   
   It is an engaging read and often hard to put down.
   
   NM

5 comments about Kit Carson's Autobiography (Bison Book).

1. This is an interesting read for a history buff.
   Written by a friend from Carson's oral reminiscenses.



2. Excellent read Milo Milton Quaife did a nice job on filling many facts, the only problem I had was with Mr. Carson wish he would of writtn more. Good read on airline flight.



3. Kit Carson was everywhere and did just about everything. I must agree with other reviewers and Milo Milton Quaife in his introduction, that because of Carson's nature, the book seems somewhat curtailed of descriptive events. What may have taken a few months to happen, Kit says it all in a paragraph. That aside, he came out west at the age of sixteen to become a mountain man. As time went by he was involved with trapping adventures, expeditions with Fremont, the Mexican War and as an Indian agent. Maybe it was a sign of the times, but Carson certainly does not hesitate to boast about how many Indians he killed during his day to day adventures. This may have been brought about by his upbringing as a young child. The settlers in his part of Missouri where he was living at the time had to "fort" themselves against the activities of hostile Indians. This may have carried on into adulthood. Nevertheless, this was a good book on an extraordinary and remarkable man of the early American west.



4. Kit Carson was a man of few words in life and in his own autobiography. It is unfortunate that such a dynamic individual didn't write down more! Quaife does a terrific job with the notes. Explaining everything that Carson failed to include. This is a common problem as, for example, Kit Carson will say something to the effect: Fought indians today, and Quaife will fill in all of the details about what tribe, how many, who was killed or wounded in both parties, etc. I am fascinated by how much detail is known of Carson's time. Very readable, my only complaint was that it was too short! The editor has included a nicely laid out index. I found the book well worth the purchase price! BTW, for those of you looking for information on William F. Drannon, he is not mentioned anywhere in Carson's autobiography.



5. Disclaimer: Kit Carson is my first cousin, five times removed! And that's why I read this book.

   It took a while to sink in, but the compelling feature about Kit's autobiography is the editing. There are extensive footnotes throughout that put Kit's text in historical perspective, point out errors in his memory, and round out the story.

   He describes his 16-year life as a Mountain Man in almost monosyllabic terms. In other words, he compresses a whole year into a single paragraph. A short paragraph!

   But it gets better when he has something to say about his scouting and Indian relations roles.

   Why does it explain it all? Because I have this wanderlust locked up inside me, and I've always wondered where it came from!

5 comments about Ulysses S. Grant: An Album : Warrior, Husband, Traveler, "Emancipator," Writer.

1. I wish they hadn't marketed this as a photo book because there aren't any. At least there aren't many photos of Grant and the ones published are really bad. I was expecting some nice rare ones, but there weren't any.

   McFeely likes to write about Grant's private life, which is OK with me. Grant was one of these types of men who were uxorious around their wives, she was his best friend, lover, helpmate, a person he could talk to and make love to at the same time. They seemed very much in sync with one another and that's always nice to read a great love story. McFeely is less solid on everything else and I really didn't care much about Grant's travels. I did like the section on Grant's autobiography, which I have read and it's great. So 4/5 stars for this new effort.




2. I am a fan of William McFeely's other book on Grant. It's the one Grant biography I can read without getting a headache because he writes so nicely and fleshes out the human Grant. This book picks up where the other ones left off. There are chapters on Grant as a traveler, Grant on the slave issue and most of all, Grant as a husband. McFeely always had a special interest in Grant's relationship with his homely wife, Julia. Those two had special chemistry and McFeely makes hay out of that. All in all, a really good book; the photos are below average and not many of them, but Grant as a person comes out of the pages with a vibrant bang.



3. I agree and disagree with the previous reviewers. I think it's an exaggeration to say McFeely writes breathless, perfect prose. He's a great writer but not as fabulous as that. Having said that, the words are the only thing to recommend the book. The photos are non-existent! I don't know what the publishers were thinking. I have seen all the photos in here a million times. The cover photo is the same photo used on many other US Grant books. What is going on?

   OK, on to Grant's marriage. I take no issue with what is presented. Basically McFeely says the thing which made the Grant marriage work was great sex and he proves how Grant did enjoy this to the hilt. Why not? When you are as rich, as successful and as famous as Grant was in his heyday, I would imagine physical relations would be high on your list. Kissinger said power was the ultimate aphrodisiac. McFeely doesn't criticize Mrs. Grant. He says she is silly, but the other reviewer blowing their fuse about this is the silly thing. He likes Mrs. Grant, he points out she had many strengths, which she did. She was a great wife and helpmate to her hubby.

   The slave chapter I enjoyed. I enjoyed the chapter on his travels, which I knew nothing about. I agree that the chapter on his marriage is the heart, the soul of the book. I wish I had such a good marriage in my two efforts. Hallelujah to Grant. But the photos here are really, really bad.




4. I don't know if the pictures of Grant were rare. I don't know that many pictures of him. But I will say the writing is very good. I know books about Grant from Mr. Catton and Mr. McFeeley writes as well, if not better than the former writer. I liked the way the book was arranged. I would've liked more pictures instead of drawings.

   P.S. Julia Grant WAS a silly woman. McFeeley says many nice things about her. It's not character assassination, he admires her.




5. First, I wonder why the "Reader from Canoga Park, Ca" always refers to the other reviewer and her reviews of Grant books? Every time she reviews a Grant book, this gal butts in to talk about her, NOT Grant. Talk about being obsessed, Canoga Park. My suggestion: recover from your jealousy.

   The book is excellent. McFeely writes real well. The photos are disappointing and I didn't like the etching. McFeely won the Pulitzer Prize so he's obviously a good writer.

5 comments about The White Tecumseh: A Biography of General William T. Sherman.

1. I found the book entertaining as well as informative about General Sherman and some of the other personalities and events of the Civil War. The author has done an excellant job of researching his topic. It will be best received by readers who are true history buffs.



2. As Prof. Hirshson's student, I can say that this book reflects the author quite well. It is an accurate account of General Sherman's life. The book is well written and while reading it, I was able to imagine Prof. Hirshson giving a lecture to me as opposed to just reading through it. The language is very user friendly.



3. This is a biography of William Tecumseh Sherman by Stanley P. Hirshson, Professor at Queens College, City University of New York. On the surface, it seems to be an un-biased story of the life of a very complicated man.

   Like so many Civil War generals on the Union side, Sherman was almost a failure in civilian life. He tried his hand at many professions, but never really made enough money to support his growing family. In the army, however, he had moments of brilliance. And brutality, evidenced most clearly in his march to the sea. He could send his men into a town with orders to destroy it, then wander through the same town afterward looking for friends who lived there when he knew them. He admitted that many of the soldiers he commanded during that time were not much more than thieves and ruffians.

   The book starts slowly and ends the same. Most of Sherman's story is the Civil War, four years of privation, desperation, and triumph. Maligned by his enemies, again as were most successful generals, his fights after the war were political, although he never sought political office. Rather his ambitions were for himself as the highest ranking officer in the U.S. Army, and for the Army itself.

   Although this is a scholarly work, it is an easy read, especially for a Civil War buff. There are moments when the reader will feel she is attaining some insight into his personality. But those moments slip away quite often. Because of this, the reader might wonder if something is being held back. For instance, I would like to have seen more details of the post-Civil War Army policies toward the Native Americans, something Sherman had much to do with.

   This is a must read for the Civil War scholar, American military history fan, and those interested in 19th century America. Sherman lived in much of the U.S. and details of these places in his time add to our understanding of life when our great-grandparents were young.




4. A readable book. The author's "hobby horse." i.e. mental illness in the Sherman Family, ergo, Sherman himself, is pretty thin. This is certainly not a "end all" work on the life of this particular general, but it is well worth reading. I was not overly thrilled with the author's transitional techniques at times, nor his speculations as to motivation as he, the author, did not give us enough actual proof. Would recommend the book for your collection, but would not recommend you try passing yourself off as a "Sherman Expert" after you have read it.



5. Prior to the Civil War there had been a major change in how wars could and would be fought. The Civil War was the first major war to be fought under this new paradigm. (The next big shift would come in WWII).

   I think William Sherman understood how to fight the Civil War better than any other soldier on either side. He was brilliant both in seeing how to win the war and applying that knowledge. And his campaigns were among the most brilliant of the war.

   This book is a well written book that gives a strong picture of William Sherman, concentrating mostly on his time during the Civil War itself. And it is a fascinating story told very well.

   Decent maps provided although they could have been a lot better.

5 comments about Until the Last Trumpet Sounds: The Life of General of the Armies John J. Pershing.

1. Gene Smith's "Until the Last Trumpet Calls" (1998 Paperback) tells the life story of General John J. Pershing. It is well documented with reviewing personal correspondences, eyewitness interviews, several black and white photos, and extensive (8 pages) endnotes.
   
   From his birth in 1860, through his days at West Point (class of 1886), to his various US Cavalry assignments across the American west and the early 20th century Pacific, to his leading the American Expeditionary Forces in World War 1 (WW1), till his death in 1948, John Pershing was well-respected, and often feared, icon determined to perform his duty. Pershing moved slowly through the Army ranks until he met Teddy Roosevelt. After their Spanish American War acquaintance Captain Pershing (only a Captain after 16 years!) was catapulted into a history-making career. By the end of the Great War Pershing achieved 6 stars as General of the Armies (unique to American history)!
   
   Smith tells Pershing family celebrations and tragedies, it acquaintances with future history makers, and the General's "Americans fight as Americans" philosophy during WW1. Readers learn about Pershing's mentoring George Patton, George Marshall, and many more. We hear of his close WW1 friendship with France's Marshal Petain (who became the chief voice in the Nazi-Vichy government of World War 2, to Pershing's horror). The General was firmly and verbally anti-Kaiser in 1915 and anti-Nazi in 1940.
   
   Smith closes the book with interesting chapters about "Black Jack" Pershing's (an appellation from his pre WW1 days commanding an African American Army division in Texas) son's and grandsons' careers. Each respective had his army career in World War 2, Cold War Europe, and Viet Nam (the youngest grandson was killed during the 1968 Tet Offensive). Unfortunately, General Pershing had no great-grandchildren. The book ends with a feeling of "Taps" for an influential 20th century American family.
   
   Although Smith tends towards run-on sentences and the occasional sentence fragment this 320-page book's conversational style makes it an easy read. It is recommended to all military historians, US Cavalry buffs, World War 1 students, and 20th century Americana aficionados.



2. The facts of Pershing's life are interesting: he participated in the Indian Wars, led soldiers in the Spanish American war in Cuba alongside Teddy Roosevelt, was a central figure in the occupation of the Philippines, served as commanding officer in the manhunt for Pancho Villa, and -- of course -- was the commander in chief of the American Expeditionary Forces in World War I. Apparently, he was an extremely capable military man with an eye for detail and unparalleled military discipline. He overcame an unspeakable personal tragedy -- the death of his wife and daughters in a fire. Also impressive: from a modest Missouri upbringing, he was entirely self-made.
   
   But a great biography does more than recite facts about its subject. It brings the reader inside his mind, and gives historical context to his decisions. In this regard, this book is a failure. The reader does not come away with the impression that Pershing was a great military strategist, like Lee or MacArthur. In fact, it is hard to decipher what was Pershing's military philosophy. Neither does the reader come away with the impression that Pershing's thinking about the great events of his time had any impact on the era's political decisionmakers. There is only one exception: it is clear that Pershing saw the United States as a full partner with its European allies in World War I, rather than as a mere source of personnel to replenish the dwindling ranks of French and British infintrymen. This contribution was significant.
   
   The World War I era is one of the most fascinating and under-appreciated in recent Western history. The war itself was one of the terrible tragedies of all time, and it set the stage for the worldwide economic expansion of the twenties, depressionof the thirties, and the Second World War. It's too bad that this book sheds so little light on one of the most important figures of that era.



3. Some of the criticism of other readers is right, but this was obviously not intended to be a definitive, complete biography of this historical figure. It tells you much more than an encyclopedia article but presumably less than the two-volume biography by another author. The view is mainly of the private side of this man's life, which was necessarily dominated by its public side.



4. This book is a good beginning to any study of John J. Pershing, but there isn't enough "meat on the bones". Pershing led quite a life, and really needs a thorough, well-researched bio, but this isn't it. Oh, it's quite readable, and if you don't know much about Blackjack, it will give you good, basic information, but it will leave you wanting a biography with more depth. And the writing style! The author uses sentences that are more like laundry lists...on and on and on...Somebody give this man a comma, a semi-colon, a period, and then teach him how to use them!



5. This is neither a history of the period nor a biography. It is a collection of quotations and anecdotes, that appear to have been taken from the personal papers of John J. Pershing, that are on file at the Library of Congress, not an unbiased source. I got as far as through the period on Pershing's frontier and Philippine service and put it down. It is a shallow treatment that reads like a history for young children. If someone is really interested in the era and the man, read Frank Vandiver's book " Black Jack: The Life and Times of John J. Pershing" in two volumes, published in 1977. A book Smith cites, Donald Smythe's "Guerilla Warrior: The Early Life of John J. Pershing" (1973) is not too bad, nor is "Black Jack Pershing" by Richard O'Connor (1961). None of these are hostile treatments, and all are well written. Pershing was an able and brave Army officer, but so were many others of the era. But Pershing was the only one to go from Captain to Brigadier General despite opposition of the Army command, and this was not solely due to his ability. His smartest move was marrying the daughter of Senator Warren, one of the shrewder political operators of the time, and one who, although a Republican, had equal entree with Wilson as well as Roosevelt and Taft. Warren was Pershing's guardian angel. If you are older than 12, pass this book up and read one of the others.

1 comments about There and Then: The Travel Writing of James Salter.

1. James Salter's writing style reminds me of Ernest Hemingway's. It is tight, crisp and colorful, intense and meaningful. The 17 chapters of this book, each capable of standing alone, display Salter's ability to find essential meaning in ordinary people, events and places. Yet his prose paints such glorious and beautiful word-pictures.
   
   The settings are from cities and places you may or may never get to see -- Paris, the Loire, Trier on the Moselle, Basel, skiing in Kitzbuhel and other famous Alpine venues, the Tyrol, Sussex in England, rural Japan, the Colorado western mountains, memories of eastern Long Island and, to set the tone of what's to come, the experience of having to declare at customs what it is, exactly, that you bring back from your travels.
   
   But the times in which these stories are set, well, they are gone and lost forever. We can experience them now only through the recollections of those who were "there and then". And, Salter is one of the best when it comes to bringing his memories to life and making them meaningful for us now.