Best book about George Thomas

[Andy Cardinal]

I apologize if this has been discussed before, I did not see anything with a search. I am interested in learning more about the life and career of George Thomas. I looked at the choices on Amazon and would appreciate any recommendations any of you might make.

 

[Irishtom29]

I liked "Education in Violence" best of the books I read on the man.

 

[AndyHall]

I liked Master of War by Benson Bobrick, although I haven't read deeply on the man to compare to other bios.

 

[jackt62]

I also liked Master of War. He paints a very favorable portrait of Thomas, often criticizing Grant and Sherman in their dealings with him.

 

[AndyHall]

There's a story about Thomas, perhaps apocryphal, that sometime after the Chattanooga Campaign, a chaplain went to Thomas to ask if the Union dead should be grouped by states in the new cemetery being created. "No, no," Thomas replied. "Mix 'em up, mix 'em up. I'm tired of states' rights!"

 

[cash]

Bobrick is a fanboy. Look for Brian Steel Wills' biography of Thomas.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0700618414/?tag=civilwartalkc-20

Chris Einolf's biography is also pretty good.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0806141212/?tag=civilwartalkc-20

 

[Irishtom29]

There's a story about Thomas, perhaps apocryphal, that sometime after the Chattanooga Campaign, a chaplain went to Thomas to ask if the Union dead should be grouped by states in the new cemetery being created. "No, no," Thomas replied. "Mix 'em up, mix 'em up. I'm tired of states' rights!"

As I recall I read that story about Thomas in Catton's "This Hallowed Ground". As I now live traveling the country in a motorhome I no longer have many books and can't check it.

 

[Irishtom29]

Bobrick is a fanboy.

This afternoon I investigated that book and have the impression the writer is very biased and seeks to build Thomas up by tearing Grant and Sherman down. In any event it's not a Kindle so I'll take a pass.

 

[O' Be Joyful]

View attachment 128443

There's a story about Thomas, perhaps apocryphal, that sometime after the Chattanooga Campaign, a chaplain went to Thomas to ask if the Union dead should be grouped by states in the new cemetery being created. "No, no," Thomas replied. "Mix 'em up, mix 'em up. I'm tired of states' rights!"

I've always loved that story about Thomas, Andy. If it is not true, it is definitely a tale that should be. And, it sounds like what a man such as Thomas would gruffly and succinctly utter.

 

[leftyhunter]

I apologize if this has been discussed before, I did not see anything with a search. I am interested in learning more about the life and career of George Thomas. I looked at the choices on Amazon and would appreciate any recommendations any of you might make.

I own both Bobic and Einholfs book "George Thomas Virginian for the Union". Einholfs book is far superior.
Leftyhunter

 

[Josh The Lighthouse Guy]

I'm fond of the story of Thomas nodding off during a council of war (Stones River?) but waking up to loudly declare "This army does not retreat!"

 

[StephenColbert27]

Bobrick is a fanboy. Look for Brian Steel Wills' biography of Thomas.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0700618414/?tag=civilwartalkc-20

Chris Einolf's biography is also pretty good.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0806141212/?tag=civilwartalkc-20

I second the Wills endorsement. Great biography.

 

[Brenal]

Freeman Cleaves "Rock of Chickamauga, The Life of General George H Thomas" is still a good read considering it is approaching its 70th birthday.

 

[jackt62]

View attachment 128443

There's a story about Thomas, perhaps apocryphal, that sometime after the Chattanooga Campaign, a chaplain went to Thomas to ask if the Union dead should be grouped by states in the new cemetery being created. "No, no," Thomas replied. "Mix 'em up, mix 'em up. I'm tired of states' rights!"

Yes, I have heard that same story in regard to burial place of soldiers killed at the Battle of Orchard Knob during that campaign.

 

[DrDarby08]

Although Bobrick gets carried away a bit, it is difficult to be a Thomas supporter and not feel slighted by Grant and Sherman's negative assessments of the Virginian. The Army of the Cumberland's Henry V. N. Boynton, who helped create the Chickamauga/Chattanooga NMP, railed about Grant's and Sherman's subversive actions against Thomas during the war and the way they portrayed him as slow and indecisive in their respective memoirs. By the time the CCNMP was dedicated in 1895, many of the AOC veterans had closed ranks around the memory of their beloved Thomas, who remains one of the most successful, yet largely overlooked, commanders in the war.