General Lee's Army by Joseph T. Glatthaar

[samgrant]

Has anyone started or finished this book which was released approx. one month ago?

I'm gonna start on it tomorrow.

The subtitle is "From Victory to Collapse", and as Glatthaar has a good reputation, I expect it to be an interesting read.

But just by reading the front and back flaps, I sense it may be controversial - I quote from the back flap:

"Glatthaar's definitve account settles many historical arguements. The Rebels were fighting above all to defend slavery."

Here we go!


Well I've just started the first page of the prologue(xiii), and it has already got me hooked. Read some of it here:

http://books.google.com/books?id=ejR...d8uKF2D47d3nP0


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[samgrant]

This may be a great book to use in discussion, whether in scheduled chat or in a separate thread. (see link in previous post)


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[samgrant]

Hey, I'm on page 125 ("Lee in Command"), and I really like this book. I have actually learned things I did not know, not just a different slant on something, but something new!

I have not found anything on Demitri's Civil War Bookshelf yet, but here's a sort of review (and a better description than I could do) from Civil War Memory:

http://civilwarmemory.typepad.com/ci...aars-gene.html

The Memory review seems to emphasise the issue of slavery, but maybe he wrote that after only 40 pages into the 472 page book (OK, it is 600 with notes and index).

So far, it is the best CW book I have read since Nothing but Victory a couple of years ago.

Just hope it continues to be as good as it has been so far.

Anybody reading this?

Here's another review I just found:

http://www.gokidsnj.com/General%...ooks-info.html

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[elektratig]

Sam,

I had not focused on this book, but you're getting my attention and whetting my appetite. Please keep us updated as you get further. Glathaar, as you say, has a great reputation.

On the subject of why Confederate soldiers fought, two other recent books explore the subject: Chandra Manning's What This Cruel War Was Over and Aaron Sheehan-Dean's Why Confederates Fought. There is also a nice podcast of a Chandra Manning talk about her book at the Pritzker Military Library for those who want to get a taste:

Manning book: http://www.amazon.com/What-This-Crue...7301407&sr=1-1

Sheehan-Dean book: http://www.amazon.com/Why-Confederat...7301486&sr=1-1

Manning Podcast: http://www.pritzkermilitarylibrary.o...arSaturday.jsp

[gary]

He gave a talk at the Virginia Historical Society last month. I learned about it when I attended a talk earlier in March. Unfortunately, I'm back here in the Left Coast. I've been told that the VHS records the talks and that you can hear it on-line if you're a member.

[gary]

http://www.vahistorical.org/news/lectures_online.htm

Click on the link and find the Banner Lecture series. You'll find Glatthaar's lecture there.

[elektratig]

Thanks for the link, Gary. I'm listening now.

[union85]

Sam,

I too am reading this new work by Glatthaar. I really like it, he is very knowledgeable on his subject of The Army of Northen Virginia. I also really enjoy how he covers each topic that helped that made the Army Of Northern Virginia what it was. Lastly he covers slavery and that is very important in any civil war book.

I can't wait to see what he puts out next

Thanks
Peter

[M E Wolf]

Dear List Members,

Have any of you looked into or have purchased the CD-ROM from "Guildpress.com?" -- The price is a wee bit high for someone on a pension but; worth the investment if to get a chance to read 'official' reports rather than a novel or some modern opinions and or theory (like mine).

So, I will be very interested in these books (which might be useful to place as a duplicate thread, as to what was learned from these books as to enter them into the discussion--something we can never have enough of --knowledge!)

Just some thoughts.

Respectfully submitted for consideration,
M. E. Wolf

[M E Wolf]

Post Script -

I do hope to express, that I value everybody's opinions and comments on the Civil War. However, should it have been misunderstood--I apologize.

My desire is to get the 'actual' Official Records/Reports by those in the Civil War and making such reports. I find that things can be skewed over time when proffered in other works and references to 'official records and or documents.'

I do realize, that reports will be written in a favoring manner however, there are more 'gold nuggets' in official reports.

So, again -- the request is--if any had ordered the complete 'CD-ROM' set offered by Guildpress.com, which is nearly $170.00 --do you find it worth the cost?

Thanks!

M. E. Wolf