Military - Strategy, General & Miscellaneous Armed Forces, United States Civil War - Individual Battles & Campaigns, 19th Century American History - General and Miscellaneous
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Overview
The Warrior Generals examines three pairs of generals from the Union and Confederacy, at three levels of command, each of whom met repeatedly in battle: Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee; George H. Thomas and John B. Hood; and Francis C. Barlow and John B. Gordon. Interweaving the stories of these six men, Buell creates a sweeping panorama of the Civil War. At the same time, he shows us the human face of the drama, taking us into the fiery heart of battles such as Antietam, Shiloh, Chattanooga, and Spotsylvania. Drawing on dozens of sources largely neglected by previous historians, Buell challenges the conventional view that the Confederacy's officers were superior. He argues that Union generals had the edge in strategic thinking, preparation, and the use of innovative tactics. In particular, he questions Lee's reputation as a military genius and suggests that Thomas, the "Rock of Chickamauga," was the greatest general in the war. Yet all six men are portrayed with sympathy and insight. Buell shows us how these leaders - tested to the limits by a war of unparalleled ferocity - prevailed through strengths of character that often existed side by side with flaws that would have undone other men. Compelling, authoritative, and original, this is a major contribution to Civil War history.A master historian gives readers a fresh new picture of the Civil War as it really was. Buell examines three pairs of commanders from the North and South, who met each other in battle. Following each pair through the entire war, the author reveals the human dimensions of the drama and brings the battles to life. 38 b&w photos. 448 pp. National publicity, print ads. 15,000 print.
Editorials
School Library Journal
(YA) An extraordinary look at military leadership during the Civil War. Buell focuses on the successes and failures of three Union generals: Ulysses S. Grant, George H. Thomas, and Francis C. Barlow; and three Confederate generals: Robert E. Lee, John Bell Hood, and John B. Gordon. Their battles and campaigns are examined by modern military standards and Buell's conclusions are insightful and at times revisionistic. By the end of the book, readers are left with an impression that Lee was often indecisive, had no strategic vision, and may have been single-handedly responsible for costing tens of thousands of lives by prolonging a war that could not be won. Grant comes off no better. Although eventually victorious, he is shown as impulsive, vindictive, and self-deceiving. What set Thomas apart was his attention to details. His staff was professional and capable, which allowed him to master the technology that gave him the ability to command and control his subordinates over large distances and to sustain his massive army deep in enemy territory. Readers are also left with a very positive impression of Barlow. In contrast, Hood is shown to be unable to adapt to the burden of leadership and changing technology. Although Gordon's leadership is examined, it is not with the same detail as the other five generals; thus, there is too little information to compare him with his counterpart, Barlow. Buell crowns the book with an annotated bibliography. This superb book is easy to read, well organized, and liberally illustrated with period photographs and drawings. Robert Burnham, R. E. Lee High School, Springfield, VABook Details
Published
February 1, 1997
Publisher
New York : Crown, c1997.
Pages
494
Format
Hardcover
ISBN
9780517595718