5 pages for a dollar?

[samgrant]

I am a big fan of Steven Woodward's Nothing But Victory, but his new book Decision in the Heartland is only 208 pages (probably including notes) and retails for $39.95, with no discount offered at Amazon or anywhere I can find online.

Book Description (from Amazon)
"The verdict is in: the Civil War was won in the "West"--that is, in the nation's heartland, between the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi River. Yet, a person who follows the literature on the war might still think that it was the conflict in Virginia that ultimately decided the outcome. Each year sees the appearance of new books aimed at the popular market that simply assume that it was in the East, often at Gettysburg, that the decisive clashes of war the took place. For decades, serious historians of the Civil War have completed one careful study after another, nearly all tending to indicate the pivotal importance of what people during the war referred to as "the West." In this fast paced overview, Woodworth presents his case for the decisiveness of the theater. Overwhelming evidence now indicates that it was battles like Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Chattanooga, and Atlanta that sealed the fate of the Confederacy-not the nearly legendary clashes at Bull Run or Chancellorsville or the mythical "high-water mark" at Gettysburg. The western campaigns cost the Confederacy vast territories, the manufacturing center of Nashville, the financial center of New Orleans, communications hubs such as Corinth, Chattanooga, and Atlanta, along with the agricultural produce of the breadbasket of the Confederacy. They sapped the morale of Confederates and buoyed the spirits of Unionists, ultimately sealing the northern electorate's decision to return Lincoln to the presidency for a second term and thus to see the war through to final victory. Detailing the "Western" clashes that proved so significant, Woodworth contends that it was there alone that the Civil War could be--and was--decided."

Well I already know that, and I and don't believe that "a person who follows the literature on the war might still think that it was the conflict in Virginia that ultimately decided the outcome." I wonder what the target audience would be for this? I expect to see it it the bargain bin by this time next year.

I'll save my money for the long forthcoming 1864: The Union: Ordeal and Redemption, from Mark Grimsley.

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[johan_steele]

While I too am a fan of Woodward $40 seems a touch steep. Wait till it hits paperback.

[30th_il]

It does seem a bit pricey but then again, after paying $150-225 apiece for my kids college books, $40/200pp seems a bargain. Arghh!

[ole]

From Amazon's description, what could Woodward have to say that we haven't argued endlessly on this and other boards? To be interested, I'd have to figure that he knows something that Johan and blue and Larry and Cash and Trice and Dred and Freddy and Timewalker and cw and opn (et alii) don't. Maybe he can say it better, but for $40, I'll wait.

Agree that I'll save the cash for Grimsley's book.

ole

[gary]

Originally Posted by 30th_il

It does seem a bit pricey but then again, after paying $150-225 apiece for my kids college books, $40/200pp seems a bargain. Arghh!

Concur with 30th Illinois' observation about college textbooks. As for myself, my resistence was lowered when I found myself paying 300 British Pounds for a two volume book that are almost two centuries old. It was the only way I could get the information therein.

Most books by modern historians will gradually find their way into the second hand market. That's when we can snatch them up at a reasonable price. Now, if it's a limited edition and there's no intention to have it reprinted (difficult to determine), then you'd better pay now or regret being cheap. You might never find it again (and that's happened to me numerous times).

[samgrant]

Lincoln's Legacy: Ethics and Politics (Hardcover)
by Phillip S. Paludan (Editor)

List Price:$30.00 Price:$30.00 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver


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