Book Launch New Hooker Biography

[Belfoured]

He tried to rescind his resignation, but Sherman didn't accept it

That sort of fits the "fool me once, ...." model in my opinion. I have little doubt from what I've read that Sherman happily jumped on the resignation (and may have helped "position" it by choosing Howard) but if I were in Sherman's place I might well have done the same. Making a declaration of resigning on principle and then when your bluff is called trying to "rescind" it doesn't generally work in any organization. As noted, the Harpers Ferry episode probably didn't help Hooker's case, who didn't smoothly fit the "team player" concept. Ethan Rafuse's essay on Hooker in The Mexican-American War Experiences of Twelve Civil War Generals (Johnson. ed.) makes a good case that the lessons Joe took from Mexico weren't exactly helpful in this regard. Inspector Callahan in Magnum Force: "A man's got to know his limitations".

It will be interesting to see how this is addressed in the book.

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=coo.31924079597013&view=1up&seq=275&q1=Hooker

 

[Belfoured]

Hooker's introduction to, courtship of, marriage of, and life after the death of his wife show us a much different picture of him than we typically see. I'll leave it at that and let the book reveal the rest.

Everybody may have been better off had he met her before 1865 ...

 

[MDcivilwarbuff]

Everybody may have been better off had he met her before 1865 ...

She certainly changed him for the better. He still would've been a soldier though (I think) but that's certainly an interesting alternate timeline to think about.

 

[rbasin]

That sort of fits the "fool me once, ...." model in my opinion. I have little doubt from what I've read that Sherman happily jumped on the resignation (and may have helped "position" it by choosing Howard) but if I were in Sherman's place I might well have done the same. Making a declaration of resigning on principle and then when your bluff is called trying to "rescind" it doesn't generally work in any organization. As noted, the Harpers Ferry episode probably didn't help Hooker's case, who didn't smoothly fit the "team player" concept. Ethan Rafuse's essay on Hooker in The Mexican-American War Experiences of Twelve Civil War Generals (Johnson. ed.) makes a good case that the lessons Joe took from Mexico weren't exactly helpful in this regard. Inspector Callahan in Magnum Force: "A man's got to know his limitations".

It will be interesting to see how this is addressed in the book.

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=coo.31924079597013&view=1up&seq=275&q1=Hooker

He did do pretty well in the army of the Cumberland. I think his assumption of taking the army of the Tennessee was his downfall

 

[Belfoured]

He did do pretty well in the army of the Cumberland. I think his assumption of taking the army of the Tennessee was his downfall

That certainly appears to be the case. It's also difficult to tie Hooker's decision strictly to seniority. It seems clear that he ignored his own errors at Chancellorsville and pointed the finger of blame at Howard, who he disliked.

 

[LibertyAndUnion]

Hi, all. I'm reviewing the final page proof of Joseph Hooker. I noted that the bibliography covers 15 pages, in contrast to 8 in Hebert's 1944 bio of Fighting Joe. Thanks to all those who have expressed interest in the looming book.

Best,
Darin

 

[Belfoured]

Hi, all. I'm reviewing the final page proof of Joseph Hooker. I noted that the bibliography covers 15 pages, in contrast to 8 in Hebert's 1944 bio of Fighting Joe. Thanks to all those who have expressed interest in the looming book.

Best,
Darin

Just more evidence as to why a modern bio is needed and essential.

 

[milhistbuff1]

Hi, all. I'm reviewing the final page proof of Joseph Hooker. I noted that the bibliography covers 15 pages, in contrast to 8 in Hebert's 1944 bio of Fighting Joe. Thanks to all those who have expressed interest in the looming book.

Best,
Darin

Thank you for the update! I can't wait to read it.

 

[Cavalier]

I lots of ways I really like Hooker, in others I just want to kick him in the rear
end. I'm looking forward to reading this book.

John