Category: Civil War Books – Now Reading

  • Did Lee Endorse Hood as an Army Commander in July 1864?

    After the recent kerfluffle over a review of Sam Hood’s new book John Bell Hood: The Rise, Fall, and Resurrection of a Confederate General (also available via Kindle), I decided to read it myself and review it carefully.  That review will be the subject of a different blog post. Today, I want to discuss the […]

  • Civil War Book Review: The Gettysburg Campaign in Numbers and Losses

    The Gettysburg Campaign in Numbers and Losses: Synopses, Orders of Battle, Strengths, Casualties, and Maps, June 9 – July 14, 1863 by J. David Petruzzi and Steven Stanley Product Details Hardcover: 192 pages Publisher: Savas Beatie (April 2013) Language: English ISBN-10: 1611210801 ISBN-13: 978-1611210804 “Oh goody!” was my reaction on receiving this book.  I confess […]

  • Civil War Book Review: Searching for George Gordon Meade

    Searching for George Gordon Meade: The Forgotten Victor of Gettysburg by Tom Huntington Product Details Hardcover: 416 pages Publisher: Stackpole Books; 1ST edition (February 1, 2013) Language: English ISBN-10: 0811708136 ISBN-13: 978-0811708135 The invisible general Every Civil War General seems to have a group of dedicated and vocal supporters. With few problems, I can find: […]

  • Civil War Book Review: The Last Days of Stonewall Jackson

    The Last Days of Stonewall Jackson by Chris Mackowski & Kristopher D. White Product Details Paperback: 168 pages Publisher: Savas Beatie (April 2013) Language: English ISBN-10: 1611211506 ISBN-13: 978-1611211504 In Confederate lore after Robert E. Lee comes Stonewall Jackson.  No Confederate personalities can challenge either of them for dominance. This is as true now as […]

  • Civil War Book Review: Kennesaw Mountain: Sherman, Johnston, and the Atlanta Campaign

    Kennesaw Mountain: Sherman, Johnston, and the Atlanta Campaign (Civil War America) by Earl J. Hess Product Details Hardcover: 352 pages Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press; First Edition edition (April 22, 2013) Language: English ISBN-10: 1469602113 ISBN-13: 978-1469602110 In 1864, the United States launched two major efforts to end the Civil War. The Overland […]

  • A Critical Review of Osprey Publishing’s “Shenandoah Valley 1862”

    To successfully describe the 1862 Shenandoah Valley campaign can be a challenge because the campaign was so dynamic. Osprey Publishing recently released a new book on the campaign, “Shenandoah Valley 1862”, and unfortunately it fails to meet the challenge. The following are some examples of why it falls short. Maps are a great way to […]

  • Civil War Book Review: CONFEDERATE GENERAL WILLIAM “EXTRA BILLY” SMITH: From Virginia’s Statehouse to Gettysburg Scapegoat

    CONFEDERATE GENERAL WILLIAM “EXTRA BILLY” SMITH: From Virginia’s Statehouse to Gettysburg Scapegoat by Scott L. Mingus Sr. Product Details Hardcover: 336 pages Publisher: Savas Beatie (April 2013) Language: English ISBN-10: 1611211298 ISBN-13: 978-1611211290   A “Grand old hero” The title of this review comes from a eulogy given at a reunion of Smith’s regiment after […]