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Post by markland on Jan 1, 2008 10:51:59 GMT -6
For those who haven't read any of these, I whole-heartedly recommend any of the four. The series deals with Grant's 1864 campaign which culminated in the siege of Petersburg. So far, there are four books dealing with: The Wilderness, Spottsylvania Courthouse, the North Anna and Cold Harbor. I had started with the one about Spottsylvania CH and by the time I had almost finished reading it, I had purchased the Cold Harbor book and ordered the other two. Rhea's writing is concise and clear and his research and analysis is even better. Strangely enough for a history book, they were almost impossible to put down. An added benefit is that Rhea has loads of good maps showing troop dispositions, movements and the road networks.
Having read many Civil War books, I can honestly state that his are among the clearest to understand the various movements, command dynamics, tactics and strategy.
Happy New Year,
Billy
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Post by elisabeth on Jan 1, 2008 11:07:39 GMT -6
Sounds great, Billy. Hadn't heard of this series at all, so many thanks for this.
Happy New Year!
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Post by ericwittenberg on Apr 21, 2008 13:46:47 GMT -6
Billy,
Gordon's finishing up the fifth and final volume. It will include the Trevilian Raid (I've given him material for that), the crossing of the James, and the opening engagements at Petersburg. When we did a program together last June, he told me that it will end with the repulse of Grant's attacks at Petersburg on June 16, 1864. IIRC, he told me he was about halfway through writing the manuscript at that time, so my guess is that he ought to be about finished with it by now.
Sadly, he's ending the study there and not going on to cover the Petersburg Campaign, which he says he will leave to another.
Eric
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Post by conz on Apr 23, 2008 7:48:49 GMT -6
Shame...so much controversy surrounding Sheridan's leadership during the final chapter of the Petersburg/Appomattox affairs.
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Post by ericwittenberg on Apr 23, 2008 8:27:35 GMT -6
Clair,
I've tackled that subject in my book Little Phil: An Assessment of the Civil War Generalship of Philip H. Sheridan.
Eric
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Post by conz on Apr 23, 2008 14:16:36 GMT -6
Hmmm...and here I though I had most of your books. Back to Amazon...
Thanks,
Clair
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Post by ericwittenberg on Apr 23, 2008 16:44:31 GMT -6
Hmmm...and here I though I had most of your books. Back to Amazon... Thanks, Clair LOL. There are always more books to be had....  Eric |
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Post by cefil on Apr 23, 2008 20:16:51 GMT -6
Little Phil is a marvelous book. A word of caution, however: if you're a thin-skinned Phil-o-phile you might want to avoid it. If, on the other hand, you want to learn the full truth about the man--warts, wrinkles, and all--Eric's book (would it be fair to call it a polemic, Eric?) is a must. You still may choose to admire the man for his "contributions" (I gotta admit, I kinda do) but you'll never again see him in quite the same light.
cefil
P.S.: On second thought, if you're a thin-skinned Phil-o-phile you must read it! It will open your eyes, and may well serve to thicken your skin.
cefil
First Outrider of the Epidermal Treatments
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Post by ericwittenberg on Apr 23, 2008 20:26:09 GMT -6
Thanks, Cefil. I think polemic is a good word.
I freely admit that Alan Nolan's Lee Considered was the model for it. It was intended to be a lawyer's brief, and that's how it was written.
Eric
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