The following are from AntietamCW:

TITLE------- DAYS OF GLORY, THE ARMY OF THE CUMBERLAND,1861-1865
AUTHOR----- LARRY J DANIELS
PUBLISHER----LSU PRESS
ISBN------0-8071-2931-3

The Army of Cumberlain, is probably one of the most forgotten of all the Civil War Armies. Mr Daniels book takes us inside this forgotten Union Army, both from the perspectives of the Generals as well as the everyday solider.

He takes from the inception of the Army of the Ohio, which becomes the Army of the Cumberland, after one of it's many reorganizations. We meet Don Carlos Buell, George Thomas, Sheridan <yes THAT Sheridan>, Alexander McCook, and a cast of some of the most disgruntled generals that ever wore blue.

The Army of the Cumberland, reads like a good old fashioned feud, Buell vs. everybody, Rosecrans vs. Washington, and last, but not least, Sherman vs. George Thomas. Mr. Daniels writes of all their wars and no one comes out smelling like a rose. I take that back, the men of the Army of the Cumberlain come out smelling like a rose. They fight in spite of their Generals, some of whom are drunkards and others who just want glory.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to read more about the war in the Western Theater. It's worth the time.

I give it 7 stars

* * * * *  

TITLE------SOUTHERN LADY, YANKEE SPY, THE TRUE STORY OF ELIZABETH VAN LEW A UNION AGENT IN THE HEART OF THE CONFEDERACY
AUTHOR-----ELIZABETH VARON
PUBLISHER---OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS
ISBN--------0-19-514228-4
 
Professor Varon, I do believe had good intentions when she started this book. There has never to my knowledge been a biography on this fascinating woman, but I believe this is not that best that could have been done.
 
Professor Varon does do a creditable job, in introducing you to Elizabeth Van Lew and her life. The Professor, in my mind, drifts away from her main subject and into the inner workings of the Unionists in Richmond. Also she tries to analyze Van Lew instead of listening to her, from her papers and diaries. None of us can know what went on in a person's mind in the years 1861-1865.
 
Where the good professor does a great job, in telling Elizabeth's story, is in the post war era. She wanders back to her subject and we learn how cut off from every day life in Richmond she was until her death.
 
A better title would have been, THE UNIONISTS OF RICHMOND since the author spends a great deal of the book telling their story. Which granted Van Lew's is apart of, if not central to it. The one thing that drove me to distraction was the use of modern politically correct terms instead of terms that were used in the 1860's.
 
I give this book only 4 stars
 
* * * * *
 
TITLE---AND TO KEEP MOVING ON, THE VIRGINIA CAMPAIGN, MAY-JUNE 1864
AUTHOR----MARK GRIMSLEY
PUBLISHER----UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA PRESS
IBSN-------------0-8032-2162-2

Mr. Grimsley tackles a subject already done well by Gordon Rhea, the Overland Campaign of 1864. Grimsley wisely does move like an overview of the campaign.
The book itself is only 237 pages, so as you can see, it's more like a primer for Rhea's multi volume books on the campaign.

Grimsley tells the story with flair and not without some humor along the way. He has one chapter I do believe could have been left out, that's a chapter with a decidedly less historical outlook and more of a psychical outlook. I don't believe a chapter on PTSS belongs in a book on the overland campaign, I could be wrong.

gets 6 stars
 
* * * * *
 
TITLE---TO DIE IN CHICAGO, CONFEDERATE PRISONERS AT CAMP DOUGLAS,1862-1865
AUTHOR-----GEORGE LEVY
PUBLISHER---PELICAN
ISBN-----1-56554-331-9

Mr. Levy does a masterful job of bringing the life of Camp Douglas, alive for me.

We tend to forget that the North had POW camps, too. But in recent years, there has been some excellent books on the northern prison camps. I would place this one on the same level as Lonnie Spears', PORTALS OF HELL and Benton McAdams', REBELS AT ROCK ISLAND. There has also been books on Elmira and Fort Delaware.

Mr. Levy follows a Father and son through their time at Camp Douglas which gives it a more human face. Camp Douglas was a trouble spot from the day it opened. The camp never had just one commander, I think I counted 5 or 6, and Mr. Levy, in a way, rates each one. I must say this is the first book on Northern Prison camps that Colonel, later general, Hoffman, head of the POW camps for the north did NOT get a lot of the blame for the way they were run.

The one thing that bothered me, were the tables at the end of most chapters. I think they could have been left until the end of the book. Otherwise I highly recommend this book.

I give it 9 stars

* * * * *
 
TITLE------TWILIGHT AT LITTLE ROUNDTOP, JULY 2 1863-THE TIDE TURNS AT GETTYSBURG
AUTHOR---GLENN W LAFANTASIE
PUBLISHER---JOHN WILEY AND SONS
ISBN----- 0-471-46231-4
 
First of all, I'll let you know I don't believe that Gettysburg, in and of itself, turned the tide. Now on to the book. Mr. Lafantasie has taken a portion of the three day battle and turned it in to a microcosm of the whole 3 days. He has written of the battle of Little Roundtop and given it a significance that maybe it does deserve. He follows both sides as they make that journey into immortality on a piece of a hill in Pennsylvania.
 
We meet, not only Lawrence Chamberlain and William C Oates, we meet the lowly privates of both armies who more or less slugged it out for a piece of a hill, and for their respective countries, right or wrong. We feel their fear as well as their heroism.
 
Mr. Lafantasie has done a very good job of demoting Chamberlain from the only hero of Little Roundtop. yes, he was one of them. He makes us learn of Stephen Weed, Strong Vincent, Paddy O'Rourke, and the others who never came off that hill. He makes us understand William C Oates, as he has to leave his wounded brother behind when he orders a retreat.
 
Now, let me say I believe that we have way too many books on Gettysburg, that said, this one does belong in the collection.,
 
I gave this one 8 stars

* * * * *

TITLE----VICKSBURG, THE CAMPAIGN THAT OPENED THE MISSISSIPPI
AUTHOR---MICHAEL B BALLARD
PUBLISHER---UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA PRESS
ISBN----0-8078-2893-9

Let me first say, that I'm one of those who believe the Civil War <WTBS> was won in the west, not in the east. The war in the west has been greatly overshadowed by the big names in the East

Mr. Ballard has written a good book on Vicksburg, overall. It does start slow as he sets up the participants and the political and geographic points of the coming siege. When he moves onto the actual beginnings of the campaign, the book moves along quite well.

He, in my humble opinion, places most of the blame for the failure of John Pemberton, at Vicksburg, on the shoulders of one Joseph Johnston. There is equal blame to be shared by Johnston <for sure>, Pemberton and Jefferson Davis <who worked at cross purposes with Johnston> Mr. Ballard does a very creditable job in explaining the chaotic Confederate command structure.

As far as the Union side is concerned, I believe he gives way too much credit to John McClernand for his part in the campaign for Vicksburg. I will say he does not do this at the expense of U. S. Grant or William Sherman.

Overall, this is a first rate book about the Campaign on the Mississippi and is a very welcomed addition to the sparse books on the war in the west

Gets 8 stars

* * * * *

TITLE---------AMERICAN BRUTUS, JOHN WILKES BOOTH AND THE LINCOLN CONSPIRACIES
AUTHOR------MICHAEL W KAUFFMAN
PUBLISHER------- RANDOM HOUSE
ISBN------ 0-375-50785-X
 
Mr. Kauffman's story on the assassination of Lincoln, can be a bit confusing at times. He begins with the assassination and then progresses backward to introduce us to the main people whom Booth gathers around him. Then towards the middle, he again recounts the event at Ford's theater.
 
The author, about one third of the way in, finally gives us a biography on John Wilkes Booth. It is an interesting part of the book, Booth and his family become real persons to you in this chapter. He also as he introduces, Michael O'Laughlin, John Surratt, Mary Surratt, Lewis Powell <Payne> and the others, he is kind enough to give you a bit of a biography on each of the them.
 
The story of Lincoln's assassination is well known, but what is now as well known is how uncoordinated the hunt for the conspirators were. Edwin McMasters Stanton, put himself in charge of the investigation to find the assassins. Stanton then made a mistake in not appointing a coordinator to work with the local police and Treasury departments, to make sure everyone had the right information, in a timely manor.

The most interesting and the part with a lot of new information <at least that i did not know> has to do with the Trial and the aftermath. He takes time to explain the difference between a civil and military trial. As well as the differences in points of law from 1865 to now. John Surratt's trial is of course handled separately, and was a civil trial as compared to his mother's military trial
 
Mr. Kauffman makes Dr. Mudd look like an an innocent bystander <which this reader does not believe> and Mary Surratt comes off looking like the second coming of evil
 
Overall this book is not the best on the assassination, my choice is "Blood on the Moon" but it is worth a look.
 
I give it 7 stars
 
To read about John Harrison Surratt, Jr. you can visit:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=6139

And about Mary Surratt, visit
http://members.aol.com/RVSNorton/Lincoln26.html]

From WolfordGen
 
Gettysburg Battlefield - The Definitive Illustrated History
By David J Eicher
Chronicle Books 2003
 
This is a large book - one I would term a coffee table book. I found it on sale at Borders. After all the books written about Gettysburg, I don't know how one can be the definitive history, but this one is different from the others I have seen. Mr. Eicher gives a concise narrative of the battle from the beginnings through Lee's retreat into Maryland and Virginia. It covers the actions at Falling Waters MD. What makes this book different and enjoyable for me is the amount of photographs - almost 500 of them. The photos are from most of the battlefield photographers - Brady, Gutekunst, Weaver, the Tyson Brothers and O'Sullivan who was famous for photographing the same dead Confederate at several places on the battlefield. Also next to the old photos are present day photos of the same location. He has included 2 and 3 dimensional maps which are also interesting. There are also brief articles by other Gettysburg scholars. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am going to take it to Gettysburg next time I go.. List price is $40.00 but I got it on sale at Borders for $12.99.
 
Jim

These are From FOREVERPATS
 
Title: Nothing But Victory: The Army of the Tennessee
Author: Steven Woodworth
ISBN: 1-375-41218

    An excellent book on this ultimate instrument of the South's destruction. From Forts. Henry and Donelson we get a close-up look at an army that seldom, if ever, was stopped - let alone defeated. First, under U. S . Grant, then later under William T. Sherman this army arguably did more for the union cause than any army.
    Woodworth uses simple soldiers diaries and letters to do much of the behind-the-scenes telling of the army's story besides the usual historical texts. He does this wonderfully. He gives drama, and in certain soldiers' cases tragic closures. For example, Lute Barber of the 15th IL is quoted many times in the script. Only days before the end of the war he was brutally murdered while on a foraging expedition in the Carolinas and left to be found by his mates.
    The one flaw in the book was the editing. I found numerous spelling errors including two different spellings (one wrong) for the same location only 3 or 4 lines apart in the same paragraph. Mysterious was spelled "misterious", that one I remember.
    Woodworth tells funny and somber anecdotes. For Example soldiers swam nude across a river to capture a confederate flag in GA, the Wallaces at Shiloh, a soldier singing as he died. He called a group of soldiers called on to rush a position at Vicksburg, "the forlorn hope" and would constantly refer to it even later in the book.
    I liked this book, editing errors aside and highly recommend it. 3 1/2 stars

* * * * *

Title: The Civil War Experience
Author: Jeffrey Wert
ISBN: 1-84442-311-5

    I read some of Mr. Wert's prior efforts and like them, found this to be a worthwhile addition to one's library. As the title says, this "book" is an experience. You see, besides being a brief text on the war it contains many extras.
    By extras, I am referring to an audio CD in front jacket with readings of diaries, letters, and speeches (Yes, foremost being Lincoln's Gettysburg Address). Many sections of the book contained such things as copies of letters, diaries, speeches, and replica fold-out maps.
    The only glaring error I found - and this could be just my book - was a replica map that was supposed to be done by Jedediah Hotchkiss of the Shenandoah. Instead, it was a map of the Dallas, GA area. I think this is a worthwhile addition to a young student of the war especially, but most adults should enjoy it too. 3 stars

* * * * *

STONEWALL OF THE WEST: Patrick Cleburne and the Civil War
Author: Craig L. Symonds
ISBN: 0-7006-0934-2 (Paper - Kansas Press)

    I enjoyed this book immensely. While I had known Cleburne was a ferocious fighter and had the aforementioned nickname I really ddint know much about the man.
    Thanks to Symonds, I now do. Although he came from a well-to-do family in Ireland he gave it all up when he emigrated to the US (He used most of his inheritance to secure release from the British army to come here). From humble beginnings in Arkansas he became a popular lawyer and citizen. Then came war.
    He had helped organize a militia prior to the war and upon its outbreak, along with his neighbors, he threw his lot in with the Confederacy. From an aggressive, caution to the wind, kind of leader early in the war he learns some tact (although it wasn't early on, by any stretch) and even suggests a bold idea that he believes might save the South. His unit was involved in most every major fight in the western theatre, and thru sheer good fortune (for the South) right in the hottest spots.
    Cleburne tried as hard as he good to avoid the political in-fighting that involve the Army of Tennessee but couldn't. He was a person who only wanted to do his best and was a hopeless romantic - although he was the furthest thing from a ladies man. In a truly perverse irony the intention to do his best caused him to be most distressed and morbid on the last day of his life. He told anyone who'd listen that he would take the position or die trying -- he did the latter to the South's detriment.
    After reading this book I can only imagine how the outcome of the war might have been different if the South had a dozen more Pat Cleburnes.
    I give this book a solid 8 stars and am using it as a launching pad to more reading on the western theatre -- which I now believe was the true theatre of decision.

* * * * *

Stones River: Bloody Winter in Tennessee
James Lee McDonough
ISBN: 0-87049-0325 (Paper - Univ. of Tennessee Press)
 
    Continuing with my enlightenment that the western Theater was actually the more pivotal theatre of operations (according to Antietam CW), I decided to read a rather old trilogy (if written in the 80's is old) I had a book by the above author on my Christmas list. Alas, said book was not received but 2nd installment, this one if you will, was available at local book store so I purchased it and ordered the others (Shiloh: In Hell before Night and Chattanooga: Death Grip of the Confederacy). As it was a White winter here in NH why not read about winter immediately rather than waiting.
    When I began reading the book, I started to have serious doubts about my decision to order the others. The book began rather slow. Once the battle began, the book picked up pace and by the end was rather riveting. McDonough gives lots of material about events setting up the battle with one glaring omission - he does tend to gloss over the Battle of Perryville, fought 2 months earlier. Using other references (ie. Sam Watkins' memoirs) he gives a nice impression of Christmas in the area - from celebrations to sadness at being away from home.
    Once the battle began, the book shined. From telling of the alertness of some Union subordinate officers (Joshua Sill, Philip Sheridan) that an attack was coming to the rather incompetent use of that information by Generals McCook and Rosecrans to the always present incompetence of one Confederate general who's initials are B. B. (if you can't guess who that is email me).
    McDonough tells of the travails of wounded soldiers on both sides. He tells of the infighting after the battle between the Confederate hierarchy. One of his more moving stories is of a wounded Confederate soldier, William MacKay, who was severely wounded after picking up the colors after 7 previous color-bearers had gone down: he was thought mortally wounded on several different occasions. His after battle conclusion and what-ifs are great food for thought. What if Davis hadn't ordered Stevenson's 7500 men to Vicksburg.
    One bit of ambiguity I did find, was in the death of Roger Hanson. At one point he says he died on the battlefield in a group including his friend John Breckinridge and even gave his last words on that occasion: later on in the book he says Mrs. Breckinridge tended to him as he was dying. I am certain she WAS not on the battlefield.
    In conclusion, I give this book 6 stars and recommend it's reading for those wanting to know more about the western theater prior to Vicksburg and Atlanta.

* * * * *
Title: The Voyage of the CSS Shenandoah: A Memorable Cruise

by William C. Whittle, Jr.
ISBN: 0-8173-1451-2 (Hardcover)
Univ. of Alabama Press

    Let me start by saying that anyone who has an interest in the Civil War from a naval standpoint MUST read this book. Whittle was the Executive officer and this book was his journal on day-to-day life aboard a ship.
    The book begins with a brief history of the CSS Shenandoah and its officers from conception to the end of life for the officers (Whittle outlived all but 2 of them). Once the prologue is done the book ABSOLUTELY shines. Whittle gives a day-by-day accounting - complete with chart readings, speed, mileage, etc. of life aboard a ship. I am not a sailor so I had trouble understanding his discussion of tacking, setting this sail or that, etc. but I still enjoyed it. Anyone who does know sailing should really love it. He talks about the hard work preparing the Sea King's conversion from merchant vessel to the Shenandoah's lethal weapon.
    He talks about discipline, recruiting and the boredom when they go days with no contact with other ships. Unfortunately, much of what transpired for the 3+ weeks spent at Melbourne was missing, but the visits to less-civilized ports were sometimes quite funny. He gives insight to officer interactions (particularly, everyone's dislike for Commander Waddell).  Whittle's devotion to his family and particularly, his fiancee, Patty was great. Not receiving any communication from them while at sea, he talks about reading past letters every Sunday. Although he claims to not be Christian, his faith and devotion to God would make most Christians feel shame.
    Whenever the ship encountered another ship he would tell, in easy to understand terms, what transpired. Strangely enough though, she captured over 30 vessels, she never once fired a live shell directly at a ship - most of time none at all or at most, a blank. He talks about interaction among prisoners and crew, and, not surprising, his intense dislike for Yankees (I can relate but on a different ball field).
    The last part of the journal is kind of humdrum. Once it was confirmed that the war was over the Shenandoah made a straight-shot return to the Atlantic - no more looking for ships to capture. Once there came the decision of whether to go to England or Cape Town and once that was decided, the need to avoid contact with any US Ships. Consequently, he just tells of what the weather was like, etc. etc.
    If there was a negative to the book, it left me wondering, what happened to his family and especially, Patty. Along with some other officers Whittle went to South America because Andrew Johnson would not grant them a pardon (this was rectified in 1867). It does talk of Whittle's involvement with Confederate veterans groups and the such.
    In conclusion, I recommend either buying this book or go to your local library and read it (should be easy to find-its only been out less than a year). I give it a 9 rating

* * * * *

Shrouds of Glory: From Atlanta to Nashville: The Last Great Campaign of the Civil War.
Author: Winston Groom
Grove Press ISBN 0-8021-4061-0 (Paper 1995)

    Another fantastic book on the pivotal Western campaign in which the author delves into the battle between Joe Johnston and Sherman on the way to Atlanta and John B. Hood vs. Sherman at Atlanta and vs. other Union generals in Tennessee.
    Easy to read from start to finish this book took less than a week for me to read. The author uses all matter of sources - from soldiers' memoirs to the Official Records. In fact, he quotes Sam Watkins on quite a number of times.
    Groom talks quite extensively about Hood's courting of Sally "Buck" Preston, the Spring Hill Affair,  and the post-Nashville in-fighting of Union Generals Thomas and Schofield. I learned much about the Spring Hill affair that I did not know and had a few myths about that busted (foremost being that Cheatam being drunk was primary reason Schofield escaped Hood's trap). Before reading this book I knew little of Hood's off-battlefield life.
    I give this book 8 stars and highly recommend it.

* * * * *

"Antietam: Crossroads of Freedom" (Audio CD)
Author: James McPherson
2002 Recordedbooks
ISBN: 1-4025-3070-6

    This is the first time I listened to a book instead of reading it. For those who spend a lot of time driving and don't have time to read this is the way to go. I've listened to it 2 times in the last week (partly because my antenna was stolen rendering radio virtually useless) and enjoyed it. The reader, Nelson Runger, does a wonderfully job mixing voices when he reads direct quotes.
    As for the story, McPherson does a great job illustrating the events leading up to the battle and the aftermath of the battle. Surprisingly of the 5 CD's only 1 actually describes the battle -this is surprising but in keeping with the title: Crossroads of Freedom it does make sense.
    After listening to this, I can openly wonder how the descendants of McLellan must feel knowing that their ancestor probably elongated the war but immeasurable time but his constant procrastination and fear. As Runger reads McPherson's words I pictured the exact feeling the author conveyed about his "what-if" Robert E. Lee had found McClellan's Special Orders detailing assignments in a campaign in a "foreign" country.
    I give this audio 8 stars and high marks for its affordability (CD was $25, book is $15). Since hearing it I went to my local library to borrow others that they might have and was disappointed to find none on the Civil War. Before YOU go out and invest money in CDs/tapes check out your library.

From SUVCW1

The Little Bugler
By William B. Styple

“The Little Bugler” is the true story of a twelve year old boy in the Civil War.

Gustav Albert Schurmann was barely past his twelfth birthday when he volunteered to serve as a musician in the 40th New York Volunteers. By the end of his military career at age fifteen he was veteran of ten battles and had served as Bugler for four Major Generals. He had spent time as a guest in the White House and became a friend of young Thomas “Tad” Lincoln. His father enlisted as well so as to be with his son.

I could not put the book down once I started reading it. The trials and tribulations of the “Boy Drummer” who learned to play the bugle so well that he ended up as “Corps Bugler” was amazing. The description of Gustav's first meeting with General Kearney and how he showed his fearless horsemanship while serving the general was intriguing to me.

The author’s research was extensive and allowed him to present a wonderfully clear and concise picture of what it was like for little Gustave. It made me feel like I know know him and would like to shake his hand and thank him for his contribution in saving “the Union.” I look at his picture and can only say “What a man this boy was.”

I totally enjoyed this book and finished it in record time because of that enjoyment. I hope to visit the grave of Gustave Schurmann’s grave in the spring so that I may salute him.

Steve Twining
Pittsfield, MA
26 December 2005

From LaddofOhio

BLOCKADE; The Civil War at Sea
Author: Robert Carse
Published by: Rinehart & Company, Inc.; New York, Toronto ©1958

This book may be "old hat" to some of you but it was new to me. It was passed through several Libraries here in Oregon and finally ended up at one of the local Goodwill Stores. I couldn't pass up any CW book so I bought it along with one titled "The Civil War" by Bruce Catton. [1980 edition]
Now on with my review:

Mr. Carse weaves together the lives of many people that were engaged in the very dangerous activity of trying to get supplies past the Federal Blockade, to the Confederacy, and taking cotton out for further shipment to other countries. English business men were instrumental in having ships built and furnishing other Englishmen to operate some of these ships. The main characters, though, were native born to the South.

The only difficulty I found in reading this novel was that there were a lot of maritime language used when describing things happening on board a ship. Some I did recognize and understood their meanings. Others I did not but could pretty well guess what their meanings were.

At the end of the book, Mr. Carse undertook to add some postscripts on the life after the Civil War of some of the main characters.

Donald
LaddofOhio@aol.com

The following are by Sandy Cornish:

"Gods and Generals"  
Published July, 1996
Author: Jeff Shaara

I read this book before I read Killer Angels. I’d recommend reading it first because it is a prelude to the Battle of Gettysburg. The third book in the trilogy, The Last Measure, is post-Gettysburg to the end of the Civil War.

With today’s situation with troops in several trouble spots in the world, I was able to relate several personality profiles in the book to our current history. Do we ever learn from history?

Some fought for political reasons; others for personal limelight; some for the “cause” they perceived the fight was about. Many were classmates at West Point.

One important aspect of this book is to remember it is historical fiction. That having been said, I would highly recommend it to get to know the men who fought so bravely on both sides.

He follows the lives of four men in the turbulent days leading up to the Civil War until just before the Battle of Gettysburg: Thomas Jackson, Robert E. Lee, Winfield Scott Hancock and Joshua Chamberlain. We learn about their families, their homes, their jobs, and their lives because answering the call to war. He includes glances of some of the best known soldiers and civilians of the Civil War Era, including John Brown, JEB Stuart, McClellan, Burnside, Longstreet and Hooker.

If you’ve read other stories of Civil War, you can compare what you already know with the characters in this book. If you’ve never read any other story, this is a great place to start to learn details of the families of war heroes. 

* * * * *

"The Killer Angels"
Published 1974
Author: Michael Shaara, (Jeff’s father)

I think this a good historical fiction book that allows the reader to BE at Gettysburg. He is a great writer that allows you to feel the heat, feel the dust adding to the heat on the skin, see the geography of the land, see and smell the death all around, hear the sounds of battle. You know what they eat or experience their hunger. You get details of their clothing, shoes, horses, and all the sensual minutiae that allow you to LIVE within the battle. He appeals to the senses. You hear, see, feel, smell, and taste the Battle of Gettysburg. Your emotions range from anger to sadness to joy to frustration to disbelief during various parts of the book. He writes as I taught Creative Writing students to write: he SHOWS the action instead of TELLING about it. At the end, I was emotionally exhausted, but I couldn’t put it down.

He does a wonderful job with characterization, trying to get into the minds of the men who make major decisions.

The “cause” of the war is debated many times, as one of the themes of the book. The north and the rest of the world thinks it’s slavery, but the southerners who fight think it’s about states’ rights.

I highly recommend the book even though the author sometimes shows a prejudice in making Longstreet correct and Lee the scapegoat in being tired, weak, and sick. I think nothing is black and white and some of his suppositions are hindsight rather than reality. After you read it, let me know what you think.

I think he’s a much stronger writer than his son, Jeff, and he certainly doesn’t use as many commas!

* * * * *

"The Last Full Measure"
published in June, 1998
By Jeff Shaara

This is the third in the Civil War Trilogy. It begins post-Gettysburg, and the rest of the war is seen through major characters. Each chapter is named for a person: Lee, Chamberlain, Grant, Sheridan, etc.

It was Chamberlain the hero at Five Forks who said, "God would demand the last full measure of the men" to crush the rebellion. Chamberlain would join with Crawford and Griffin on the right flank of Pickett while Sheridan would hold the left flank; the causalities were enormous.

It portrays the politics of war, how President Davis came under media attack and isolated himself in Richmond, far from knowing the true nature of the battles.

Jeff Shaara brings you to the battlefield once again, allowing you to hear the sounds, see the action, feel the emotions, and shake your head at some of the barbarism and cruelty of some leaders who sacked and burned innocent folks’ homes and businesses.

From other books I’ve read about the Civil War, his depiction of battles, maps, and events are pretty accurate. In switching from North to South, from major to minor character, he keeps the reader involved in the events.

I noticed a minor character named Wolford, and smiled, wondering if that was Jim’s relative. He took up only half a page, but this is Mr. Shaara’s was of bringing in more than just the officers.

I’d highly recommend the trilogy.

This is the final review in the trilogy.

For an interview with Jeff, you can visit the following:
[http://www.bookpage.com/9806bp/jeff_shaara.html]

NOTE from Jayne... I received this in my website mail. It sounded interesting and thought I'd share it with you all.

From The History Press,

Robert Moore has written a new book, Tragedy in the Shenandoah Valley: The Story of the Summers-Koontz Execution.

"Try to meet me in Heaven where I hope to go."

These poignant words were written in the summer of 1865 by twenty-year-old Confederate Sergeant Isaac Newton Koontz, in a letter he penned for his fiancée just hours before his death at the hands of Union firing squad in the heart of Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. The execution of Koontz and Captain George Summers came after the surrender at Appomattox Court House, and remains one of the most tragic yet little-known events of the Civil War.

Historian Robert H. Moore II is the development director for the Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia. He focuses on Civil War studies and has published 11 books on Virginia and Civil War history since 1989. He also writes frequently for Blue & Gray magazine.

This fascinating book would make an interesting article. I hope that you will consider this book.

Thanks for your time.

Sincerely,

Katie Parry
Sales and Marketing
The History Press
18 Percy Street
Charleston, SC 29403
843.577.5971
katie.parry@historypress.net
 

Return to the Main Page