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Warrior Generals, Combat leadership in the Civil War
Has anyone read this book? My manager, who is a well-read Civil War individual, claims this book is excellent (actually, he's read it 5 times); and, that General George Henry Thomas was by far the best general in the WBTS. The book, I understand, is very critical of Lee, and quite critical of Grant.
Has anyone read this book? My manager, who is a well-read Civil War individual, claims this book is excellent (actually, he's read it 5 times); and, that General George Henry Thomas was by far the best general in the WBTS. The book, I understand, is very critical of Lee, and quite critical of Grant.
Any thoughts?
The book is generally pretty good, but the case for Thomas being the best general of the war is quite overstated. Grant and Lee were better than Thomas.
The book is generally pretty good, but the case for Thomas being the best general of the war is quite overstated. Grant and Lee were better than Thomas.
Regards,
Cash
Cash,
What was in it for Commander Thomas B. Buell (retired, 1936-2002) to overstate the case for Thomas? Seems from his military perspective, (From 1975 to 1979 he taught in the history department of the Military Academy at West Point), he had nothing to gain and a lot of insight to bring to the issue. Thomas is generally a footnote for most Civil War buffs (an obvious exaggeration on my part): what from your perspective was overstated?
Thanks.
Last edited by clara_barton : 11-23-2007 at 10:11 PM.
Haven't read the book and am not likely to. Whenever someone writes a book speculating on which general was best, it's usually because he/she is intentionally creating a controversy to sell books, or because he/she has an agenda intending to deflate some to inflate others.
If it were a book discussion the various characteristics of field generals, I might be interested. If the book attempts to show that Thomas was the greatest (or maybe that was just your manager's insistance), or even to rank the generals.......I don't think so.
But thanks for the thread. Good to have you here.
ole
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
If it were a book discussion the various characteristics of field generals, I might be interested.
ole
ole,
I think it is exactly as you have described: it is a book discussing the various characteristics of the field generals, and Thomas appears to have the best of it. At least, that's what I've been told so far. I have to get through my books on slavery, and as my 'name' indicates, Civil War nursing/medicine is an interest of mine. So, I'm pretty sure a book of this type is not what most women would be interested in ... but, who knows?
Had my doubts about that post and I'm gratified to note that you did not take offense. I'm simply not into the discussions about best.
Thomas did indeed get the short end of the historical stick and is worthy of more consideration than popular history has given him. But "best" is an impossible subject--worthy of a many, many enjoyable posts on which and why.
We at least share that we "have to get through our books on slavery." I'm working through another three. So many things to talk about, so many books to read so as to catch up. Kinda frustrating, isn't it. With you, I'm trying to keep up.
ole
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
I think it is exactly as you have described: it is a book discussing the various characteristics of the field generals, and Thomas appears to have the best of it. At least, that's what I've been told so far. I have to get through my books on slavery, and as my 'name' indicates, Civil War nursing/medicine is an interest of mine. So, I'm pretty sure a book of this type is not what most women would be interested in ... but, who knows?
Clara, dear lady, you mention an interest in nursing/medicine above. One of my grandson's ancestors was a Sergeant in the 41st TN, part of the TN campaign of the CSA in late 1864. He had been wounded at Raymond, Mississippi much earlier and apparenty became a nurse during a hospital stay after that battle. I've so far had no luck finding much mention of medical organization if any in the AOT during the Tennessee campaign. Might you have some research suggestions? Thanks.... and welcome aboard!
__________________
Ancestors in US Army: 13th TN Cav; 10th TN Cav; 3rd NC Inf
Ancestors in CSA Army: 48th VA; 63rd VA, 5th NC Cav; 37th NC
Wife and Grandson's CSA: 15th AL, 51st GA, 41st TN; 36th TN; GA Mil 1197 Dist
There's another thread on this book at the cite below. The book is well worth reading because it's thought-provoking and provides a very different perspective, even if you ultimately disagree with some or many of Buell's conclusions. Tim Rice's posts in the other thread are particularly useful to bear in mind.
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Warrior Generals, Combat leadership in the Civil War 
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