William C. Davis - any comments on this author

[samgrant]

I was looking for a book which might be a comprehensive story about the Confederate government circa 1861-1865. I saw a reference to Look Away by William C. Davis, as well as a few others by that author, but I am reluctant as I previously bought Three Roads to the Alamo by the same author and expected it to be a good read.
Instead, the book, tho informative was dull; I found his storytelling style very dry and frankly tedious.

Anyone want to comment about this author?

[ole]

Strange.

Davis is one of my favorite writers, although I haven't read his "Three Roads ...", I've read most of his other stuff and found him to be precise and readable.

The only book I can think of recommending is "A Government of Our Own" (Davis, again). There are several others on the topic, but as I haven't even looked at them, let alone recommend them.

Good Luck.
Ole

[ole]

Sam:

Should have added --- Davis might be running out of steam and publishing simply to keep his streak going. For a while there, everything he wrote was great.

But now that I think of it, of his books that I have, only two were published by what I consider to be premier publishers of history.

If you want "Look Away," log on to abebooks.com. You will find it.
Ole

[samgrant]

Ole, thanks. It's my impression that A Government ..." is about the establishment of that goverment, and An Honorable Defeat is about it's last days.
I was looking for something covering the whole history of that ephemeral government, which I think Look Away is supposed to be.

I'm still wary of his readabilty based on my Three Roads ...[u] experience.

(If only there were more who could write like Catton or Foote!)

More opinions on Davis welcome, please.


(Sorry, I can't seem to control these underlines.)

[JohnW in E.TN]

I read his, "An Honorable Defeat, and "Touched By Fire," and they were both excellent. I also have "Look Away," and "Breckinridge" here waiting in the wings.

John W.

[ewc]

I have always liked Davis's work, but I will echo Ole in fearing Davis is slipping down the Stephen Ambrose path of overextending himself or, dare I suggest it, attempting to cash in while he can. I hope not, but he seems to be writing for quantity's sake and not quality's. Again, I hope not, but...

[gary]

I enjoyed Davis' "Grant, a Victor, Not a Butcher." It was more enjoyable that his book on Lee. However, Davis didn't really cover new ground as previous historians, notably English General J. F. C. Fuller and our own Bruce Catton did a lot of the groundwork. It's just that nobody listened.

[Lifeisgood]

I like the rebel and Yankee series I have both commanders, and battlefields of the Civil War. Never read any of his other work though.

Thanks

[gary]

Opps, my bad. It was Bonekemper and not Davis. Thanks for the correction!

[samgrant]

well, as it happens, I took a chance on Look Away and it is very good so far. Only on page 120 of 400+, it's the kind of book that makes you want to keep reading!